by Chris Hilburn-Trenkle
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work in January launched inaugural introductory to social work courses for undergraduate students.
The two courses — SOWO 101 (Strategies for Social Good: From Analysis to Action) and SOWO 102 (Families in Focus: Navigating Challenges, Inspiring Change) — introduce college students to social work perspectives, practices and some of the issues shaping the lives of families and children in North Carolina.
Students are learning skills to recognize strategies for multi-level social impact, engaging in community-based learning and developing reflection and critical thinking skills to further their understanding of societal issues affecting all populations.
We recently visited SOWO 101 and SOWO 102 to learn more about the courses.
SOWO 101
Clinical Instructor Adam Milano begins each class by sending students into breakout groups for five minutes of discussion.
Milano’s lesson plan includes reviewing the three primary levels of social work practice — micro, macro and mezzo.
Special guest doctoral student Joan Wanyama discussed financial capacity building and answered questions related to her research.
SOWO 102
Professor Paul Lanier readies students for a tour of the school’s Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building.
The first stop on the tour was a visit to the Office of the Dean. Students met with Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson and learned about her expertise in kinship care.
Students visited a pair of third-floor suites, where they were greeted by Associate Dean of Online Education Tina Souders (top) and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Amy Levine (bottom).
Other stops on the tour included the library with a view of the Bell Tower (top left), the Jordan Institute for Families suite (top right) and the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (bottom).
