SW- 299-SA Perspectives on Family Violence
 No prerequisite required

Fall 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, September 25, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00  

This one-credit course will study the effects and characteristics of family violence in today’s society from the legal, medical, and social perspectives. Students will examine incidents of family violence including preconditions for child abuse and neglect, spousal abuse, and maltreatment of the elderly. Throughout the course, examples will be given as to the underlying theories for an individual or group’s deviant behaviors which lead toward victimization. The course will further examine the role professionals play in reporting child and elder abuse as well as explore the criminal justice system’s response to spousal abuse.

Instructor: Kenneth Mysogland, MSW

Fall 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, October 16, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00

This course introduces the student to crisis theory, types of crises, the ABC Model of Intervention, and specific techniques and skills employed in crisis work. The intervention process will be examined from assessment to outcome measurement with an appreciation for cultural sensitivity towards crisis victims of diversity. The course will employ lecture, film, case presentations, and experiential exercises. The student’s grade will be based on attending each session, active class participation, and a presentation on a crisis related topic.

Instructor: Patricia Carl-Stannard, MSW, LCSW

Fall 2010
Saturday, February 12, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, February 26, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00

This course introduces the student to the life stage of adolescence and the critical emotional tasks involved in this developmental process. The course will be conducted in a workshop format and will focus on the normative issues the adolescent must navigate, and the reciprocal impact of this emotional journey on the teen and the family system. The cultural context of the adolescent will also be explored. Specific content will discuss what happens when the adolescent is derailed by factors such as substance abuse, poverty, suicidality, sexuality, and psychiatric problems.

Instructor: Patricia Carl-Stannard, MSW, LCSW

SW -299-SC Let’s Talk About Racism
No prerequisite required

Fall 2010

Saturday, October 23, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, November 6, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00 

Spring 2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, April 2, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00

This one-credit course will allow students to explore how to begin to discuss and address racism, not only in their daily work, but also in the larger societal and cultural contexts. In the U.S., racism can be difficult to discuss and is a complex issue.  In our increasingly global society, understanding and taking action is imperative, especially in the field of social work. In addressing racism and becoming allies for change, students can participate in fulfilling the responsibility of taking social and political action as stated in the NASW Code of Ethics as well.

Instructor: Bronwyn Cross-Denny, MSW, LCSW

Fall 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, December 4, 2010 – 10:00 – 4:00

Spring 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, April 9, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00

This one-credit course will help students learn, understand, and integrate the key concept of attachment adaptations in infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. It will be presented in the context of a relational model that is supported by sixty years of solid infant parent observation and research and by the recent explosion in knowledge in the science of neurobiology. The relational map given by caregivers during infancy and early childhood last forever and so do the meaning we give to those early experiences. More than ever students in the field of helping professions need the tools offered by the field of infant mental health and neurobiology. They are the way to a different kind of awareness and understanding of the human experience and giving understanding to the power of the helping relationship as a catalyst for healing and transformation.

Instructor: Silvia Juarez-Marazzo, MSW, LCSW

SW-299-SA Motivational Interviewing Skills and Techniques
No prerequisites required

Fall 2010
Saturday, February 5, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00
and
Saturday, February 19, 2011 – 10:00 – 4:00

This one-credit course will expose students to the core principles of Motivational Interviewing, which include expressing empathy, supporting self-efficacy, rolling with resistance, deploying discrepancies and avoidance of argumentation. Students will also learn the key strategies to employ when communicating with clients. These strategies include use of open ended versus closed ended questions, affirmation, summarizations, reflections and eliciting change talk. Additionally, students will learn strategic use of motivational Interviewing with targeted interventions that focus on client strengths while minimizing deficits. Students will have opportunities to practice their newly learned MI skills while keeping within the “Spirit” of motivational interviewing. Role Play, audio/video, observation and feedback will all be utilized to reinforce learned skills. The textbook that will be used is Motivational interviewing, 2^nd edition by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick.

Instructor: Michael Federici, MSW