Social Work 490
SOWK 490: Social Work Capstone
Corequisite: SOWK 489
Credit Hours: (3) Three hours seminar
This course integrates the student’s knowledge across all areas of the social work curriculum including theories of human behavior in the social environment, practice, policy, research, ethics, and diverse populations. The student demonstrates competence in all areas through a capstone project including a paper and presentation.
Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Taken concurrent with field internship, the student uses the knowledge gained throughout the social work curriculum to assess clients and programs; to test the efficacy and appropriateness of interventions; to identify and draw out the policy implications of programs and interventions; to identify and confront ethical problems; and to evaluate her or his own progress toward becoming a professional social worker.
Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
At the onset of the course, the class meets in block periods of six hours in order to review concepts and plan the exact nature of each assignment that will be taken from actual experiences in the field. Thereafter, the seminar meets weekly for three hours to discuss the assignments and offer additional content in order for the seminar's purpose to be carried out.
The seminar methods of discussion, student presentations and cooperative group learning are used.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
The general goal is to integrative knowledge attained in the social work curriculum with the professional social work experiences brought forth in the internship in order to insure that knowledge and skills necessary to conduct entry level generalist social work practice are obtained by each student graduating from the professional program. The objectives delineated to carry out the goal are stated as student outcomes. Having completed this course, students will be able to:
1. Use the appropriate theories drawn from the social and behavioral sciences and philosophy to help shape the assessments developed to understand clients, whether they are individuals, families, groups, communities or organizations;
2. Complete and accurate, appropriate and helpful assessment on at least one client with whom the student has worked in the field internship;
3. Evaluate the appropriateness and efficacy of selected interventions carried out in the field internship by using appropriate, ethical and scientific evaluation methods;
4. To identify and trace the sources and power of policies that effect the ways in which service in agencies is provided and the means by which policies effect the clients whom the agency is attempting to serve;
5. To confront in professional and considered ways, the ethical problems bound to emerge in the real world of professional practice;
6. To assess their own progress and growth (areas that need strengthening and areas that need added dimensions of understanding) toward becoming a professional social worker.
Assessment Measures
Students will complete written assignments and will make presentations in class. The work will be measured through assessing the extent to which each objective is attained.
Other Course Information
Student attendance is mandatory. Classes cannot be made up. Students may wish to consult with field liaisons, field instructors and other faculty as they work toward completion of each course assignment.
Review and Approval
09/05/01 Updated Marilyn Rigby
March 01, 2021