Reflections of

the Program
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE

SOCIAL WORK

Introduction to social work

This class enlighten the introduction of human kind. It explored the different beliefs, cultures, and
positions society plays in order to continue their daily living. The learning experience touched
bases on the introduction of how a social worker will see people and be knowledgeable about
their ways of living in society. This class opened up the doors to explore the world of social work
and can dictate your decisions on continuing into this profession. It also gave the opportunity to
interview professionals who were already in the profession who may give an insight on the duties,
understanding, and labors of a social worker. I interviewed within the most common grounds of a
social work, the Department of Social Services. My interviewer had explored previous
experiences in her field before becoming a supervisor over the Department of Social Services
child protective service program. I also interned within the establishment, which I became hands
on with the duties a social worker provide, and a hardship social issue. This course was needed to
determine if this is the career that you are sure you want to pursue. I considered the course an
icebreaker. It did not scare me from continuing, only opened up my understanding more.

Writing for social science

As a social worker many documentations are required on every client that are assessed, evaluated,
and treated. These documentations have to be legibly and literally understandable. Correct
grammar, spelling, and professional wording are needed in the field when documenting
assessments, preventions, goals, and interventions for clients with social issues. I have learned now
from this class while working in the field it is constant recording of documentation, and correct
grammar and literacy is mandatory because these documentation will one day be need as a
defense in court cases. This class also benefited in writing and researching literature, which molded
me into writing more professionally. Along my hands on volunteered field work experiences; I
documented every discussion and services I provide for a client. My supervisor overlook and critique
my writing, and helped to make corrections because they understand the importance of legible
documentations. We were assigned to write our first research paper for this program that caused me
many sleepless nights. My partner and I researched the bases of how beneficial is technology for
youth. The research was to determine if technology have become a benefit or barrier for our todays
youth. With social medias, and uploaded video sites this may be the ruins on our youth, but the use of
technology in education have benefited much. We are living in a technology era, and moving
forward is the goal. Without this class, following classes will not have served us a purpose because
each one required a research paper, which was considered our determination of progressing in
writing. A very useful course!

Human diversity & pop at risk

This class expressed and taught the ways to identify and understand different races and cultures. The
subgroups that social workers generally practice along with are African Americans, Caucasians,
Native Americans, and Hispanics. Understanding these ethnicities battles with poverty, social class
and racism, gains understanding of their issues. Issues in society are brought along through
stereotypes, and history of oppression. Disadvantaged groups such as, African-Americans, AsianAmericans, Native-Americans, Latin-Americans, women, homosexuals, and Jews. These subgroups
that are at risk teaches social workers the prevention of biases based on cultural aspects and their
values. The class taught us as social workers to identify the impact of diversity on groups and
organizations at a macro level, including institutional racism. An own righted opinion lead to
understand that Caucasians were the predominant group over all ethnicities. Because of this class I
learned a deeper outlook of how different ethnic groups been discriminated upon. History classes
within primary, middle, high school, and community college curriculum did not touch on the broad
struggles and challenges these groups faced, especially Native Americans. All what was learned
according to this race was the history and coming of Thanksgiving, which is considered a national
holiday celebration. Ethnic autobiography paper was formatted to dig deep and learn our own
historical background, which enlightened me about where my ethnicity roots were first discovered.
This discovery opened up a book of discovering social environmental functioning, cultural traditions,
oppression, and a general idea of genealogy for me.

Human behavior social environment

1
Learning each stages of the human development enlightens the understanding of how the anatomy and
mentality of each individual functions. Also discovering how and why people function in a social environment.
As a social worker we have to understand how diversity characterizes and shapes the human experience. The
dimensions of diversity includes age, social class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity
and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race-religion, and sexual orientation. Social workers
appreciate that as a consequence of difference, a persons life experiences may include oppression, poverty,
marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege, and power. The online interaction with classmates, which
gave a more indebt understanding on case analyzes that we summarized each week to gain a variety of
understanding on the issues. The cases was relevant to life stages, human behavior, social environment, social
work practice, and diversity implications. Researching Erickson and Maslows theories, I discovered during
each stages on why as developing human- beings the growths through mental and psychological social wellbeing. My paper reflected on how my life was compared to the reasons Erickson discovered I should be
developing. Maslows theory was understood on how through lifes stage we should achieve in our journey
through lifes stages. I found the fact the class was online it was more easy and convenient to understand the
course concept, and have more opportunities to socially interact with classmates and discover their own lifes
journey.

Mission Statement
UNCP Social Work Mission
The mission of the Social Work Program at The University of North Carolina at
Pembroke seeks to prepare students for professional social work practice
within a generalist (BSW) and advanced generalist (MSW) model and to become
leaders in enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of this region.

Human behavior social

environment 2
This course introduced us to the systems that included groups, societal institutions, organizations and communities,
which gave attention to the influence of ethnic, racial, gender and social class, as well as sexual orientation and
cultural diversity in society. It also gave a social awareness pertaining to groups, organizations, social institutions,
communities, the society in general, and the world at large that shape human behavior and the development of
individual, group values and belief systems. In class discussions provided interesting topics that related to societys
beliefs and values. We discussed the ways of living in different cultures, stages of human development, and
social/economic classes. Despite social issues, there are institutions, agencies, and organizations that advocate, or are
activists for social changes. My local community analysis paper reflected the issue of an at risk population who face
the hardships of unemployment. I touched base on the demographics of Scotland County, which considered a
population of predominately African Americans and Native Americans. The overall of those living below the poverty
level is 30% maxing other surrounding counties who face this same issue. Researches of interventions have been
developed, and determined that the JOBS II program was the only effective intervention, which was based on theories
of active learning process, social modeling, gradual exposure to acquiring skills, practice through role playing and
providing preparedness against setbacks during the job search process. Work first programs provided by social
services, aids dependent unemployed and low wage families. I discovered throughout this research and course, the
understanding of human behaviors are also needed to be studied to have an idea on how to treat a community based
on their values, belief, ethics, emotions, and social interactions. Understanding societys behavior gives a healthy
relationship, which will cause an impact while reaching a solution. In a course of action, individuals respond more to
those who are concerned with their needs.

Understanding social research

This summary serves the understanding purpose of the course. Social workers collects, and analyze client data in order
to develop a refine intervention, and to demonstrate program effectiveness. Social workers engages in best-practices
by using the findings and conclusions of existing research reports to show effectiveness of intervention programs. This
statement reflected the researches of other interventions used for previous social issues that figured out what did and
did not work. This concept gave us as social workers an idea on how to input our services for a need. As new social
workers it is beneficial to implement a new idea to resolve a cause. Society and generations ways of thinking and
functioning changes throughout decades, and interventions that was once set in place may need to be upgraded in
order to change along with the times. Learning how to research, analyze, understand collective data/ statistics, and
then place them in use to form an intervention. Course project paper, which was a social research of a social issue
reflected the understanding of why single mothers who are impoverished still remain below the poverty level. Studies
have shown that Welfare reform programs usually assist single mothers who incomes are below the afford wages of
living. The program is supposed to help single parents improve their job skills through training and higher education.
Though there are personal barriers such as lacking of motivation, self-determination, and social support, which can
encourage their options on moving towards higher wages. Through accessing previous researched interventions the
idea was to discover another plan to assist single mothers who live in poverty by giving them post-secondary education
training, or motivational support. This will aide in overcoming poverty, and allow them to remain financially stable
enough to support their household. This class opened up the idea of discovering possibilities to overcome an obstacle
by researching.

Social values & ethics

This course taught us the basics on how to classify valued conflicts, and dilemmas of ethical decision-making. If
given a case, or dilemma how must the situation be handle without a logical reason? Allowing decisions to be
made based on the professional personal values and beliefs could lead to an unresolved issue. This course
taught me to more likely think twice and have resources that back up your decision making, which also includes
ethical reasoning. The National Association of Social Work codes of ethics is a legal documentation that guides
the social worker into making decisions on an ethical principle. In any field, or profession of social issues; social
workers have clients who dilemmas are based on what is the best decision possible to help them either prevent
the issue, or come to a common goal that will help them overcome their problem. It was a broad understanding
when assigned to create a format for the course project, which will consist on a dilemma scenario where it will
have to be resolve with an ethical principle, premises, a NASW code of ethic, and then reflect on the case. The
scenario was based on a social work intern who was on her field site and a dilemma have occurred. She
overheard other employees discussing how they witness a coworker abuse a patient. This was an opportunity to
practice what have she have learned as a social worker, but in order to handle the situation she had to use
ethical decision making. One decision made was a premise to back up her finding where according to
workplace policies it is any employee obligations to report harm to others. Also to help decide her response, an
ethical principle by Dolgoff, Lowenberg, and Harrington states that to prevent the least harm; social workers
should avoid causing harm and preventing it from clients. Therefore this course set the perspective of handling
dilemmas clients may come across with an ethical guideline.

Social welfare policies

This program explored the social welfare system through a social, cultural, economic, and political
influence. Policies are set in place in any aspect of a social issue. The class had an understanding of
how to process policy-making, programming and planning. Because of statistics of a social issue; the
quota of the problem can either decrease or increase. The course gave an outlook on a data of
problems and what existing preventions and policies help to eliminate the issue from becoming an
increased problem. My paper inflicted the issue of teen pregnancy in urban demographical areas
within North Carolina. This issue once became a rise in adolescents who were at risk of academic
failure, and high school drop outs. Research have investigated that Stakeholders and interests groups
also cares about the issue and help in any way possible to provide sex education programs,
community notices, and leadership to prevent the rise of teen pregnancy. A history of policies has
been enacted before to aid grants in prevention program when the social problem was at a
tremendous increase. Current studies have shown that teen pregnancies have been declining
because of new enacted policies from a nation and state perspective. More funds are granted and
more societal involvement is upholding a change of remaining teen pregnancy at a decrease.

Social & Economic Justice

Welfare Polices
We learned how to analyze social welfare policies using different frameworks. Basic policies and
social work role processing includes the use of advocacy and empowerment in social problems. The
roles and relationships of governments, businesses, and the non-profit organizations are also provided
in the provision of human services. Along with the influence of politics, economics, and cultural and
social values in the development and implementation of social policy decisions. My group and I
Women of Social Justice designed a policy change research paper, which targeted on
adolescents, or minors who can have their own free will to receive health and behavioral services on
their own. Meaning, without the consent of a legal guardian because of their law abided age. Laws in
North Carolina states that an adolescent cannot be seen by a physician under the age of 16 years
old without parental consent. In cases adolescents have great concerns of fear of wanting their
parents to know certain issues they are facing, but is willing to receive help. We interviewed
individuals within the surrounding counties who have been assembled to research information on their
thoughts on how possible this policy may have a chance in changing, and will it be a possibility that
they can become a part of a coalition who will advocate. This experience gave me an insight to
discover many services out in the community who are willing, and fighting for a social change.

Social work practice 1

This course provided the first encounter of out in the field experience with social work practice. It gave
a chance to go out into the community and provide hands on services with clients and their social
issues. I had the chance to intern with the department of social service, child welfare program. I
observed the ins and outs of the community, and the at risk population (children). I observed different
ethnicities, and races behavior functions and behaviors in the community. I experienced the
misleading treatment of children in their homes. The treatment of children who maybe mistreated
because of physical/sexual and sexual abuse, neglect, and malnutrition. Despite this issue, because of
my time there in the agency; I have not experienced any of these causes with children. The in class
learning experience was very interesting. We had hands on activities that taught us how to be
communicate socially by discussing personal interest with each other, and having the opportunity to
interview others in the community personally. This gave me the opportunity to understand different
values and beliefs, and ask open ended questions to receive information that digs in the root of others
problems. Also it helped provide information on services that may benefit clients in need issues. My
partner and I role played on an issue of a social problem where we documented our communication.
This progress recording reflected on how to assess a client and understand their social issue, and what
caused them to have this problem. My interviewing process was on a domestic violence victim
seeking shelter. I learned the experience of professionally communicating with a client by expressing
empathy for their concerns, and helping to resolve an issue ethically.

Social work practice 2

This course helped us understand the structures, characteristics and functions of social work organizations. Data is
gathered from community stakeholders to gain knowledge of the impact of social problems, and identify
solutions for local communities. We went out into the community personally and collected information on social
issues that society is facing. The information was mainly gathered from agencies that service a particular social
issue. I gained an upfront and hands on experience from going out into the community and actually knowing
what society face. The book Soul of a Citizen was a very interesting reading, which described personal short
comings of successful people who had first struggled through life, and were influentially encouraged to do better
by seeking the help they needed. Those in the story went off to establish foundations based on their issues to help
others who face the same issues. The overall Community Needs Assessment paper was researched by my partner
and I. We reached into the social issue of domestic violence within a military community. Domestic violence in
the military is a social issue within the military grounds that outside communities and social problem activists are
not informed about. The strength of this communitys capacity is understanding change is possible. There are
resources available for the military population who are affected by domestic violence, but the lack of initiatives
families take in receiving aide are subjective towards the victims. There are those who find there are adequate
resources and there are victims who do not take advantage of the resources. Agencies such as The Victims
Advocacy Program, Quakers House of Fayetteville, and surrounding counties prevention agencies provides aid
to military victims and their families.

Social work practice 3

For starters, this class was fun and interesting. The learning experience the teacher provided gained
my attention because of the graphical ways to implement a subject. I enjoyed the out of class field
trips that we attended to learn how society today face hardship issues that affects their daily living. I
now understand assessing the strengths and limitations clients may have besides their social issues.
Once you distinguish they have something inside of them that connects a positive outlook, then you
can use this advantage as motivation. The motivational interviews were good examples on how to
take what the client is capable of and use it for their better benefit. I use this concept more in my
out in the field placement when dealing with adolescents. They are a growing process, and there is
still much for them to learn. My single subject design paper reflected on an intervention that shows
how to help prevent an adolescent from nail biting. Literature have reported that many may
suggest that this behavior is created because of anxiety, but a course of lack of engagement with
activities have concluded to be the cause. A baseline have been recorded to collect data for three
days before a seven day intervention is introduced. The participant wore a wrist band as a reminder
while she continue her daily routines. Rather it be in school, playing sports, and at home. The project
was a good assessment to put in practice on motivating a client once in the field providing
services.

Field Work Integrative

Seminar
I will allow my evaluations speak for
themselves. Overall because of this
course I am thankful that this class
gave me the opportunity to fully have
my out in the field experience as a
social worker. I am learning the ins
and outs of all what the role of a
social worker profession is expected.
I learned how to communicate myself
in a more professional demeanor
when coming in contact with the
community. In my opinion, this class
will benefit future social work students
in so many ways. I am very
appreciative of this social work
program, and the professors!

Thank you all!!

Professor Jody Thomas

Professor Joseph Davis

Dr. Summer Stanley

Professor Tammy Oxedine

Dr. Savvas Georgiades

Dr. David A. Dran

Dr. Yale Kodwo-Nyameazea

Professor Veronica McPhatter