 | The University of Virginia record July 15, 1923 |  |
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF
Courses in Public Welfare
Beginning with the session of 1923-24, the University of Virginia
will offer courses for professional training in public welfare
and local government. The purpose of these courses is to
meet the need expressed in the following resolution, which was
adopted by the Virginia Conference on Social Work, April 24,
1923:
Resolved—That this conference hereby expresses its approval
of the beginning that has been made to enable the State
University to give its rightful aid to welfare work in this
Commonwealth by providing for the instruction of social
workers and especially for the training of the new superintendents
of public welfare, who rightly look to our great University
to give them professional equipment for their work
of infinite importance to all the people of Virginia; and that
we express the hope that the president and visitors of the
University will greatly and promptly extend this department
of its instruction to meet the emergency created by our new
laws.
Nature of the Work Offered.—The courses of instruction
will cover a period of two years. The first year will be devoted
to a study of the fundamental sciences which are essential
to an understanding of the principles underlying social work. The
second year will involve a practical study of the various concrete
forms of social work now undertaken by public and private
agencies in the field. Completion of the courses will thus insure
both theoretical and practical instruction and training.
The following courses, which will be offered next session, constitute
the work of the first year:
The Principles of Economics: A survey of the principles of
economics, followed by a consideration of the bearing of
these principles upon present American conditions. (3 session-hours.)
Associate Professor Snavely, Mr. Starnes and
Mr. Pinchbeck.Constitutional Government: A description and comparison of
the principles and essential features of the governments of
the United States, England, France, Germany and Switzerland,
with especial emphasis on the characteristics of the
American constitutional system and the operation of congressional
government. (3 session-hours.) Associate Professor
Williams and Mr. Lewis.General Psychology: A survey of the main principles of psychology,
either as part of a liberal education or as preparation
for professional study. (3 session-hours.) Professor
Ferguson.Educational Sociology: The principles of sociology, followed
by a consideration of the bearing of these principles upon
education. (3 session-hours.) Professor Smithey.Rural Sociology and Economics: A study of social and economic
forces as they apply to the life of the rural community.
Emphasis is placed upon a proper coordination of these in
rural progress. (3 session-hours.) Professor Gee.
The work planned for the second year is subject to such changes
as may seem desirable in view of expected additions to the faculty
and to the equipment available for practical instruction. But the
following is a summary of the courses now proposed for the
second year, although they will not be offered until the session
of 1924-25:
Family Case Work and Standards of Child Welfare. (3 session-hours.)
Social Pathology; Social Aspects of Crime; Poverty and Dependency.
(3 session-hours.)Community Problems and Organization. (3 session-hours.)
State, County and Municipal Government; Legal Aspects of
Public Welfare. (3 session-hours.)Field Work and Community Surveys; Public Health. (3 session-hours.)
Practical Work in Cooperation with State Board of Public
Welfare.—The State Board of Public Welfare will place its
resources at the disposal of students for practical instruction
under the direction of officials of the Board and professors of the
University. This will insure first-hand contact with the various
aspects of welfare work, and will enable students to exercise a
of their training. Field work, to be undertaken as a part
of the regular course of instruction, will be required for graduation.
Entrance Requirements and Degrees.—The course of
study outlined above constitutes the equivalent of the third and
fourth years of an undergraduate college course, and when preceded
by two years of college work taken in conformity with the
degree requirements of the University, it will lead to a baccalaureate
degree.
Men may enter the University upon graduation from a high
school or preparatory school and complete two years of college
work before undertaking the public welfare course. They will
thus spend four years in obtaining a degree, specializing in public
welfare in the last two years.
Women must be at least twenty years old to enter the University,
and must show by proper certificate that they have completed
two full years of work in a standard college after graduation
from a high school or preparatory school. When these requirements
are met, women may obtain a degree in two years by
completing the public welfare course.
Expenses.—The necessary expenses of a Virginia student taking
public welfare courses may be estimated at $320 a year upward,
according to the mode of living; for students from other
states, expenses may be estimated at $510 a year upward. It is
generally possible for a student to obtain employment in the University
community which will help defray his expenses. And a
number of scholarships and loan funds are available for well prepared
students of promise.
Work in the Summer Quarter.—The summer quarter is an
integral part of the University year, and it is planned to offer
courses in welfare work in the summer quarter of 1924. These
courses will be open to regular students who desire to shorten the
time required for their degrees and to men and women interested
in social work who can not attend the regular sessions of the University.
| The University of Virginia record July 15, 1923 | |