Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
What You'll Learn
- Explore the different roles of social workers in a range of settings
- Understand the social work profession and the themes and values that guide social work practice
- Follow the history of the field of social work from its beginnings through current challenges
4 Modules
12 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
In this course, you will learn how social workers in the United States engage in creating change and supporting the resilience of individuals, families and communities in this new era.
Learners will have an opportunity to explore the social work profession, the different roles of social workers in a range of settings, the cross cutting themes that guide social work practice, the history of social work, and current challenges.
Using a social justice lens, learners will reflect on current challenges facing the lives of individuals, families and communities and examine ways to advocate for needed changes.
This course can be taken as a stand-alone learning experience or as part of the "Social Work: Practice, Policy, and Research MasterTrack Certificate Program."
Skills You'll Gain
- Community Advocacy
- Social Justice
- Social Policy
- Social Work
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change. This course introduces learners to social work values and advocacy strategies across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice in the United States. Learners will also have an opportunity to explore the history of social work, the roles of social workers, and themes that guide practice.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: What is Social Work?
- Video: Welcome to Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Video: Welcome from SWEC Lead Faculty, Monica Sampson
- Reading: Ground Rules for Discussion and Engagement
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself!
- Reading: Pre-Course Survey - Help us learn more about you!
- Video: Definition of Social Work
- Video: Social Work Ethics and Core Values: Part 1
- Video: Social Work Ethics and Core Values: Part 2
- Discussion Prompt: Self-Reflection on Social Work and Core Values
- Video: Social Workers in Action
- Graded Assignment: Linking Core Themes to Micro or Mezzo/Macro Interventions
- Video: What Skills Make a Social Worker Successful?
- Graded Assignment: Skills Exercise
- Reading: Deep Dive of Social Workers in Action
- Graded: Module 1 Quiz
Module 2: Integrated Themes of Social Work
- Video: Ecological Systems Perspective, Strengths Approach, Empowerment and Social Justice Lens
- Video: Cultural Humility
- Discussion Prompt: Self-Reflection on Cultural Humility
- Video: Evidence Informed Practice
- Video: Examples of Evidence Informed Practice
- Reading: Case Introduction
- Reading: 0-6 years old
- Graded Assignment: 0-6 years old: Micro/Mezzo/Macro Analysis
- Reading: Grade School
- Graded Assignment: Grade School: Micro/Mezzo/Macro Analysis
- Reading: Middle School and High School
- Graded Assignment: Middle and High School : Micro/Mezzo/Macro Analysis
- Reading: Early Adulthood
- Graded Assignment: Early Adulthood: Micro/Mezzo/Macro Analysis
- Discussion Prompt: Today
- Ungraded Plugin: Johnny's Life in Review
- Video: Listening In: How Students Think About the Johnny Cases
- Video: Putting It Together: Perspectives on Practice
- Graded: Module 2 Quiz
Module 3: A History of Social Work
- Video: Why History Matters
- Video: Exploring the Early History of Social Work in the US: A Brief Overview
- Video: Exploring Social Work's Contributions
- Reading: Previewing the History of Social Work Timeline
- Ungraded Plugin: History of Social Work Timeline
- Reading: History of Social Work Timeline Attributions
- Discussion Prompt: History of Social Work Timeline Reflection
- Graded Assignment: History of Social Work Timeline Confirmation
- Reading: Current Contributions to Social Work's History: Stories from the Field
- Video: Grand Challenges: An Overview
- Video: Grand Challenges: Examples from Faculty
- Discussion Prompt: Explore the Grand Challenges
- Graded: Module 3 Quiz
Module 4: Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice
- Video: Using A Social Justice Lens
- Video: Defining Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice
- Video: A Look at Positionalities, Identity, Intersectionality and Privilege of Self
- Reading: Reflecting on Your Positionality
- Reading: Share with a Friend
- Video: Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice Discussion: Student Perspectives
- Video: Other Student Perspectives on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice
- Discussion Prompt: Self Reflection on Key Takeaways
- Video: Faculty Reflect on Their Work with Marginalized Populations
- Video: Taking Action Using a Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice Perspective
- Discussion Prompt: Self-reflection on Own Privilege/Identity
- Video: Conclusion
- Reading: Obtain Course Certificate and Register for Social Work Essentials Certificate
- Reading: What’s Next?
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Reading: Keep Learning with Michigan Online!
- Graded: Module 4 Quiz
Grading Policy
Successful completion of all the assignments and tasks within the four modules will result in a passing grade. In order to pass the course, you must achieve an overall grade of 70%. Learners will have the ability to retake quizzes, limited to one attempt every 23 hours. The course grade is based on four quizzes worth 25% each.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
What Learners Are Saying
I currently work as an immigration paralegal at a community organization. This program gave me a better understanding about social research and the policy process, and how to be a more effective community practitioner. The knowledge I gained throughout this program has…
Hector Ortiz Learner in Puerto Rico
