SOWK 452 Religion, Health, and Healthcare

In the context of a biblical worldview, this course will explore how best to provide culturally competent holistic care and will prepare social work students to address the cultural and spiritual needs of all clients. Students will be empowered with knowledge and skills to deliver social work services such as improving interpersonal skills of communication, compassion, and empathy. Social workers will learn how to complete a spiritual assessment, develop policies and procedures that decrease barriers to quality healthcare care, application of theoretical models in providing care that includes the body, mind, and spirit. Research-informed and evidence-based practice will include the ability to holistically address religious cultural competency in the development and facilitation of treatment planning and intervention strategies.

Research reveals Christian and non-Christian social workers lack engagement with behaviors related to integrating a client’s religion/spirituality into care, treatment plans, and intervention approaches. We would like to have LU, as a Christian University, be at the forefront of this discussion. Increasing cultural religious competency in these areas of practice can have a tremendous influence on a client’s health and mental health outcomes. Pew research (2012) reports 90% of the American population believe in a higher power and 80% report religion at least somewhat important and manifest in ways associated with coping with health and mental health struggles.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will engage in course discussion regarding relevant course content. The student will engage with content from the required text for one Discussion to critically think through the  the role religion has historically played in health care. Each thread must be at least 400 words and each of the two peer replies must be at least 200 words.

(CLO A, B, C, E, H) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Pre and Post Cultural Competency Assessment Reflection Assignments (2)

The student will complete two cultural assessment reflection papers at Week 1 and Week 8. Developing a practice of professional awareness related to cultural competence is essential to social work practice. Furthermore, reflection on responses including areas of growth is important to increasing cultural competence.

(CLO A, B, F, H) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Blue Zone (BZ) Challenge Assignments (2)

Based on science-backed research and evidence-based social work practice, the student will complete a consecutive 7-day challenged focused on improving overall well-being. Subsequently, the student will complete a two-part assignment comprised of a journal and social work application. 

In Part I, the student will document their own personal health journey in a journal for submission. In Part II, the student will apply kinesthetic learning, scholarly research, and/or a current health initiative that aligns with their own BZ Challenge. 

(CLO A, B, C, D, E, G, H) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Client Healthcare Map Assignment

Social workers serve diverse clients with a wide range of health needs. To competently serve all population groups, social workers consider strategies and advocacy efforts to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure equitable health care. To promote this understanding, specific knowledge related to current research, policy, and interventions are needed. The student will design a map focused on a specific population group to guide clients through barriers and access to resources as well as navigate religious/spiritual needs. 

(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module: Week in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain either a range of question types including true/false, matching, and multiples choice. The student will have one attempt with no time limit. 

(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)