SOWK 710: Women and Mental Health
Prerequisites: Graduate Status or Permission of Instructor
Credit Hours: (3)
This course is designed to provide students with specific knowledge about clinical social work practice with adult women and mental health issues that affect women. Key themes and concepts include: historical social work practice with women, theories for mental health practice and a feminist critique of those theories, feminist practice issues, aspects of feminist/mental health practice, feminist social work practice methods and current issues/situations that affect women’s lives and their mental health. Mental Health emphasis area elective.
Detailed Description of Course
Thematic Outline of the content of the Course
I. Introduction
II. Feminist Issues
A. Theory
B. Critique
III. Mental Health Issues
IV. Feminist Practice
A. Practice Methods
B. Fields of Practice
1. Mental Health
2. Medical Social Work
3. Rural Practice
C. Population Groups
1. Special Population Groups
V. Women's Issues
Detailed Description of the Content of the Course
This advanced clinical course provides critical conceptual lenses through which to
view women's issues in various settings and circumstances, and skill in designing
various innovative strategies related to diverse population groups. It is intended
to engage the student in theory, methods, practice, and settings through sensitization
assignments, e.g., reflective journal keeping, and
through an interrogation of the assigned readings, class discussion, and research
assignments shared orally with the class.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Goal: The goal of this course is to prepare social workers for clinical social work practice with female clients and provide added sensitivity and insight into the needs and unique experiences of women. A conscious awareness of the student's socialization and relationship to practice will be encouraged.
Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate:
1. A thorough knowledge of the evolution of social work practice with women.
2. A knowledge of the feminist critique of theories used for mental health practice.
3. An understanding of the translation from feminist theory to feminist practice.
4. Knowledge of the interface between feminist practice and politics, research and
diversity.
5. An understanding of the aspects of mental health practice that relate to working
with women.
6. Specific practice methods with women in mental health settings.
7. How current issues (e.g., body image, work, divorce, aging, etc.) affect women's
mental health.
8. How race, class, and sexual orientation create different issues and needs for women.
9. An awareness of one's own socialization and how that influences one's understanding
and practice with women.
Assessment Measures
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April 2001 New course approved