University of Michigan
Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change
University of Michigan

Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

22,368 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Barbara Hiltz

Instructor: Barbara Hiltz

4.8

(358 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree

What you'll learn

  • Explore the different roles of social workers in a range of settings

  • Understand the social work profession and the themes and values that guide social work practice

  • Follow the history of the field of social work from its beginnings through current challenges

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 quizzes

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 4 modules in this course

Welcome to Module 1 of the course! This module focuses on defining social work as a profession, exploring roles social workers perform across settings, examining core social work skills at the micro, mezzo, and macro system levels and addressing social work professional ethics. We hope that by the end of this module, you will have a greater understanding of the breadth of social work and the range of roles and skills social workers develop in their work.

What's included

6 videos4 readings3 quizzes2 discussion prompts

In this Module, you will have the opportunity to learn about the core frameworks and approaches the guide how social workers engage in change efforts. The core frameworks include: the ecological systems perspective, the strengths approach, and empowerment, the use of a social justice lens, a cultural humility framework, and an evidence-informed practice perspective. The module begins with brief mini-lectures about the core frameworks and some examples of how evidence is used to promote change efforts. You will then engage in applying what you have learned to a case situation. You will listen to a brief discussion of the case from former MSW students. You will also take a brief quiz that highlights the core frameworks. To conclude this module, you will hear from a few professionals about how they link the core frameworks to their own practices.

What's included

6 videos5 readings5 quizzes2 discussion prompts1 plugin

This module explores the history of social work as a field. You will have the opportunity to engage with an interactive timeline that outlines how different people, events, and policies have helped shape U.S. based social work over the past 100 years. You will also hear from current-day social workers whose work builds upon the historical contexts you’ve explored. Finally, you’ll learn about social work’s “Grand Challenges” and how these are shaping the future direction of the field.

What's included

5 videos4 readings2 quizzes2 discussion prompts1 plugin

Module 4 explores the connection between social work and social justice. Indeed, some social workers maintain that social work is social justice. You’ll learn about a framework for centering justice in social work: Privilege, Oppression, Social Justice, and Diversity (P.O.D.S.), as well as the key concepts of intersectionality and praxis. You will also hear from faculty and social workers in the field about how their work seeks to center justice.

What's included

8 videos5 readings1 quiz2 discussion prompts

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (112 ratings)
Barbara Hiltz
University of Michigan
3 Courses23,591 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Education

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 358

4.8

358 reviews

  • 5 stars

    83.88%

  • 4 stars

    14.72%

  • 3 stars

    0.83%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    0.55%

AR
4

Reviewed on Sep 4, 2022

NN
5

Reviewed on Dec 21, 2021

MS
5

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2022

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions