This course provides an overview of social work as a profession and introduces the core mission, ethics, history, competencies, and values with emphasis on anti-oppressive social work practice. Taught to students new to social work, this course establishes a foundation for practice by beginning with a critical examination of the micro level of individual development. Furthermore, the course introduces actionable anti-oppressive roles, skills, and knowledge bases of social workers in addressing individual, group, community, and societal needs from a strengths perspective. This course is taught using a multicultural, diverse, and social justice framework through a personalized approach to the biological, psychological, sociological, and diverse dynamics of individual human behavior throughout the life cycle. Theories are analyzed in the context of anti-oppression social work practice, at risk populations, human diversity, values, and ethics at a personal and systemic level.

Prerequisite: Admission to MSW Program.