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Clinical social work practice is concerned
with the interdependence between individuals and their environments
and the use of theoretically grounded, relationship based, culturally
informed interventions to promote healing, growth and empowerment.
Clinical social work recognizes and responds to the complexities of
the human condition: its strengths, possibilities, systems of meaning,
resilience, vulnerabilities and tragedies. As a collaborative process,
clinical social work expresses the core values of the profession,
including recognition of client self-determination, growth and change
in the client system, and pursuit of social justice. It rests upon
a liberal arts base and integrates evolving theories about individuals,
families, groups, communities, and the larger social systems in which
they are embedded.
In its educational practices, the School
promotes critical thinking and self-reflection to help students expand
their knowledge in the substantive areas of human behavior and the
social environment, social work practice, research, social policy,
field, values and ethics, diversity, populations-at-risk and social
and economic justice. The School educates students in the application
of professional values and ethics, collaboration with other disciplines
and the evaluation and dissemination of evolving theories and practice
models.
The School shares with the social work
profession its historic commitment to serve oppressed, disadvantaged
and at risk members of our society. It is committed to implementing
a curriculum that addresses the concerns, issues, and interests of
these populations. The School joins with the profession to struggle
against inequality and oppression based on such variables as: race,
ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability.
The School and Smith College are committed to promote social justice,
service to society, and appreciation of individual and cultural diversity
in a multicultural community. The School recognizes the pernicious
consequences of racism and works to identify and diminish the overt
and covert aspects of racism. Smith College School for Social Work
is committed to work toward becoming an anti-racism institution.
The School implements its educational
mission through its masters and doctoral degree programs, as well
as through its Program of Continuing Education. Through its scholarship,
publications and research and program initiatives, the School contributes
to the development and dissemination of knowledge relevant to social
work. In its affiliation with a liberal arts college, the School places
a priority on the process of teaching and learning and community service.
The School maintains relationships of mutual respect and influence
with its affiliated agencies, major professional organizations, and
other representatives of the social work practice community to aid
in curriculum renewal and to contribute to the development of the
profession as a whole.
– voted November 20,
2003
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