Proseminars

They also provide opportunities for interaction with other social work students and exposure to social work-specific norms, standards and trends (e.g., publishing, job market, funding).

3 credits

This proseminar critically examines how social systems undergo change and the role of social work in those processes. Students will examine: 1) how various systems change over time and in response to various stimuli; 2) how a system’s structures and components,surrounding contexts, and intersection with other systems affect change processes and outcomes; 3) how to conceptualize, initiate, respond to, and assess system change. Students will examine processes of and potential for change in relation to the wide range of systems (e.g., individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations), systems of care, and fields of practice (e.g.,clinical intervention, community intervention, administration, policy) in which social work is engaged.

3 credits

This proseminar is a critical, multidisciplinary survey of classic and emerging theories of the complex functions and interrelations of social systems. Students will examine theories for their fundamental assumptions, sociohistorical origins, philosophical underpinnings, empirical bases, and ramifications for various systems and in various contexts. This process of critical and comparative analysis will emphasize the role of theory in guiding social work practice and help students recognize the steps and skills required of theory-building. Theories studied in the course will reflect the wide range of systems (e.g., individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations), systems of care, and fields of practice (e.g., clinical intervention, community intervention, administration, policy) in which social work is engaged.

3 credits

This proseminar will prepare students to apply advanced research methods and analytic approaches to the study of social issues. The course will provide students with foundation necessary to design and carry out an independent research project (e.g., a dissertation). It is taken in concert with advanced research methods and statistics courses in other disciplines and is not expected to replicate the content of those courses. The methods and approaches studied will be relevant to the wide range of systems (e.g., individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations), systems of care, and fields of practice (e.g., clinical intervention, community intervention, administration, policy) in which social work is engaged.