Online Learning

Social Work 684: Spirituality and Social Work

Wanda Lott Collins, Associate Professor

Welcome to Spirituality & Social Work

My main concern in teaching is helping social work students to construct meaning about the world and their experiences.  As learners, they act on their worldview on the basis of what meaning and interpretations they have derived from a variety of influences and interactions with others in their environments.  My primary task as a teacher is to facilitate connections from abstract to practical information so when students complete my course they understand what they have learned and how it applies to their lives and to a larger community platform.  

In my online Spirituality and Social Work class my intention is to help social workers to learn how spirituality and religion influence the practice of social work with individuals and families.  The course goal is to help social work practitioners to recognize the role that spirituality and religious beliefs can play in people’s lives.  The classroom readings and assignments are designed to provide students with a more complete understanding regarding how client’s utilize spiritual or religious resources in solving day-to-day challenges.   These assignments will also increase social work practitioner’s self-awareness regarding their own spiritual and religious orientation, values, and principles which may enhance their relationship with clients or create tension or difficulty within the helping process.

Over the course of this semester, I’m hopeful that through a collaborative learning experience, students will learn a lot about a diversity of faith practices.

Again, welcome!

Dr. Wanda