Motivation to Teach Social Action:
I have taught a course based on knowledge from the institute using the Change Textbook and materials for 2 years, designed in collaboration with a colleague who attended the institute. At that time, I was unable to attend the institute, and since then, the colleague who attended has transitioned from her role in our School, so I feel like it would be great to build community and deepen my knowledge so I can continue to make our course as strong as it can be and through doing make my students' change making efforts even more effective and meaningful.
Course Description:
We have been updating the course description for 2 years, but due to internal process issues, it has not been completed. Below is the existing and proposed description:
Existing Version: (Based on previous course design)
One of a four-course sequence emphasizing competent application of skills, knowledge and values to social work practice. Includes public speaking, grant writing, budgets, advocacy, lobbying, policy analysis, community organizing.
Proposed new version: (Hopefully to be implemented next school year)
This course explores the critical role of social workers in fostering change within organizations, communities, and legislative settings. Through an experiential, hands-on approach, students will design and implement social action campaigns or projects, develop advocacy tools, and engage directly with policy processes. Students will build skills in collaborative leadership, policy advocacy, and community engagement. The course emphasizes the integration of research and practice-based knowledge and the evaluation of campaign or project effectiveness, preparing students to be active agents of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Taught By:
Dominique Montgomery
Assistant Professor
School of Social Work
University of Nevada, Reno
Read profile here.