Schools as Sites of Social Welfare: An Exploration of the Role of Social Workers in Schools

This course offers an orientation to schools as a nexus for social workers engaging with youth. Students in this course will gain a nuanced perspective and understanding of the needs of marginalized youth and come to understand schools as sites of social welfare. Students will dissect some of the challenges that young people in schools encounter throughout their lived experiences such as educational disabilities and learning challenges, healthcare disparities, and the challenges of living in poverty. Students will evaluate schools as sites of intervention where social workers collaborate with other professionals at the micro and macro level to improve youth conditions related to human development in order to enhance educational achievement and overall well-being.