2009-10 Catalog

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Program Description

Social Work/Human Services Skill Sets


NEW! Last Updated: 11/11/2009

Fall, Winter and Spring quarters

Faculty: Gary Peterson Social Work, Tribal/State relations, NW History, Federal Policy

Academic web site: petersog@evergreen.edu

Major areas of study include social work, counseling, human services, public policy, cultural studies, Native American studies and tribal policy.

Class Standing: This all-level program accepts up to 25% freshmen as well as supporting and encouraging those ready for advanced work.

Accepts Spring Enrollment: Students with internships may enter spring quarter.

This program is designed to allow students to explore social work and human service provision as potential career paths. It will prepare students to work in the social service delivery profession. We will explore good social work practice and how it may be impacted by cultural differences. We will explore issues of class, gender, poverty and gay/lesbian, and others in service provision. Employment options in schools, public, private, and tribal agencies and others will be explored.

Federal law, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and a Native American timeline will be studied as foundation information for understanding the need for services in Native American communities. An online Indian Child Welfare Certification Program course through the National Indian Child Welfare Association will be offered.

Cultural competence will be emphasized based on understanding histories of oppressed groups in american culture. As a basis for working cross culturally, students will explore their own cultural beliefs. This wil be accomplished through a writing component that focuses on personal history.

The first two quarters of the program are geared to provide foundation information/skills and the third quarter will consist of a field placement to practice skills learned. Speakers and visiting lecturers will augment our study throughout the program. Students already working in social services professions may have the option of independent or weekend study for some of the credits.

Credits: 12 or 16 per quarter

Enrollment: 30

Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in social work, counseling, administration, human services, social services policy, Indian Child Welfare Services, and children's mental health.

Planning Units: Programs for Freshmen, Native American and World Indigenous Peoples' Studies, 8-12 Credit Programs