Mission and Goals

 
Program Mission

The mission of the Skidmore College Social Work program is to produce liberally educated, academically disciplined graduates who are prepared to begin generalist social work practice, to strongly commit to the values of the profession, and to continue lifelong learning and community service.

Program Goals

1. To prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice in a variety of settings.
   
   The Skidmore Social Work program has chosen the generalist practice model as a central theme for its educational endeavors. We view generalist practice using the following schema:
   
   The individual is viewed as functioning in a dynamic set of systems where his/her problems are influenced by family, groups, organizations, communities, and society. Students learn to define their professional roles (e.g., case manager, broker, facilitator, advocate, organizer, etc.) by considering an array of goals (i.e. personal or social change) and skills from micro, mezzo, and macro practice areas. We see the social worker operating at the interface of these systems working collaboratively with the client or client system in a problem solving process that includes assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination and follow up. We use an ecosystems perspective because it is an eclectic and interdisciplinary approach that combines ecological theory and general systems theory to emphasize the reciprocal interaction between the individual and the environment, and the structure of those systems that constitute that environment. We stress the dynamic characteristics of systems and the ability of social workers to empower themselves and their clients to engage in system change.
   
   
2. To prepare students for graduate study in social work and related fields.
   
   Many of our graduates obtain a graduate degree in social work or a related human service field, our academic program provides a strong foundation for graduate study. Faculty use a range of technological strategies in their classrooms and as part of course assignments. Students are taught to effectively and critically use research library and electronic databases. In addition to social work courses and experiences, the all-college curriculum emphasizes writing, mathematics, foreign language, an understanding of different cultures, the scientific method, and a host of other content areas and skills that prepare our students for advanced study.
   
   Although the social work faculty strongly emphasizes academic excellence, we characterize ourselves as employing a humanistic teaching philosophy. We use a mix of affective, didactic, experiential, and collaborative teaching strategies to deepen understanding, strengthen social work values, encourage critical thinking, develop professional skills, and nurture a desire for continued study. We utilize inductive and deductive reasoning and help students master the subjective nature of the helping process. We attempt to create an environment that is comfortable for learning. Borrowing from feminist pedagogy, we try to minimize the authoritarian relationship between professor and student and stress the notion of student and faculty learning together. Reconceptualizing power in this manner enables students to experiment with becoming empowered.
   
   
3. To provide a curriculum that promotes social work values and ethics with an emphasis on understanding human diversity.
   
   The social work faculty has decided to stress the promotion of social work values with cultural competence as one of its goals. Accepting difference, promoting nonjudgmentalism, understanding human diversity, and supporting self-determination are central themes in our social work curriculum.
   
   
4. To provide opportunities for the application of knowledge and skills acquired in the rich Skidmore liberal arts curriculum to beginning professional development.
   
   Skidmore College “seeks to prepare liberally educated graduates to continue their quest for knowledge and to make the choices required of informed, responsible citizens” (Skidmore College Mission Statement). Furthermore, the College seeks to link “theoretical with applied learning” and the curriculum “balances a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences with preparation for professions, careers, and community leadership. Education in the classroom, laboratory, and studio is enhanced by co-curricular and field experience opportunities of broad scope” (Skidmore College Mission Statement). This curriculum provides a rich foundation for our social work program. Faculty strive to utilize the knowledge and skills acquired in liberal studies courses to strengthen our social work courses. This is a unique characteristic of our program.