Many social workers are exposed to trauma directly and indirectly through their academic coursework and practice settings. Research shows that social workers who practice self-care early in their careers are better able and more likely to effectively manage these experiences. In the long term, self-care can reduce staff turnover rates and burnout,…

Despite the important role fathers play in the lives of their children, social workers report that they do not feel prepared to work with fathers. It is ethically imperative that social workers are equipped to effectively serve diverse groups of fathers in practice, especially those who are marginalized within society. Human Behavior and the…

In preparing the workforce for integrated care, continuing professional education serves a critical role. Within a rapidly changing health care landscape, matriculated students now benefit from pedagogical innovations supporting integrated care, particularly interprofessional education, and working professionals must not be excluded from this…

Although women comprise the majority of social work clients, most psychological models of assessment and intervention are based on male psychological development. Feminist theories and therapies have turned attention to female development and its differences from male progression. A psychotherapeutic model for practice and education that allows…

A rationale for requiring content on gay and lesbian issues in the social work curriculum, to decrease homophobic attitudes and prepare students to provide effective practice, is presented. Methods and resources for incorporating lesbian and gay issues in human behavior, direct practice, policy, community organization, and research courses are…

A rationale and methodology for teaching about the spiritual and religious aspects of human behavior in social work curricula is presented. An approach derived from the field of comparative religious studies is described, and its implications for the personal and professional preparation of the social work educator are discussed. (MSE)

It is suggested that social work education shift away from cognitively-based course content on minority groups and adopt a skills-based, affectively oriented approach combining classroom instruction and field experience. Case examples of methods to accomplish this are presented. (MSE)

The experiences of one school of social work in requiring volunteer work of students in an introductory undergraduate course are described, observations by participants and faculty are presented, and program advantages and drawbacks are assessed. (MSE)

Although older people with developmental disabilities are living longer and appearing more often as social work clients, this population has not been included in preparation for practice with older clients. Issues include relationships within and outside the family, resource availability, and care policies. A model for infusion of these issues…

A study examined patterns of content in course outlines used to teach social work practice. Findings concerning teaching units typically covered, textbooks used as required reading, and the type of assignments given reveal several new directions, which are interpreted in light of Council on Social Work Education policy. (MSE)

A study examined the effect of a course on societal oppression on 222 graduate social work students. Subjects and a control group tended to accept a "just world" ideology; acceptance increased among class participants. Self-reported advocacy behaviors also increased, and students who believed in a just world and reported fewer advocacy behaviors…

A study surveyed the views of 53 social work faculty in 4 institutions concerning the place of spirituality in the social work curriculum. Results show considerable support for a course on the subject. Possible explanations for opposition are examined, and suggestions for introducing spirituality content into the curriculum are offered.…

A model for teaching social work students and professionals about widely existing severe, subtle, and overt forms of male controls and violence against women is described. Topics addressed during a three-hour workshop ranged from sexist language to harassment, battery, and femicide. Evaluation of workshops using the model suggest participants…

A survey of 280 social work educators investigated views on inclusion of curriculum content on religion and spirituality. Most supported inclusion of such a course primarily as an elective. Concerns about how these subjects would be handled in courses was expressed. Appropriate course focus and teaching approaches are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Describes use of logic models to teach critical thinking skills in social work. By breaking down the helping process into parts, logic modeling enables students to approach the clinical experience as a whole and understand causal relationships between parts. Students are exposed to theory-practice connections and made aware of reciprocal…