Britt Rhodes
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Department Head
Director of Community-Based Learning
Biography
Education: DSW, Saint Catherine University, University of Saint Thomas School of Social Work; MSW, Augsburg College; B.A., Social Work, Luther College
Britt Rhodes has been a professor in the Social Work program since 2002, focusing on the topics of fundamentals and human behavior. Some of her course topics include Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, Fundamentals of Social Work Practice I, and Human Behavior in the Social Environment I.
During January Term, Professor Rhodes leads a course in which students travel abroad to Northern Ireland and examine the difficult yet inspiring Northern Ireland peace process through the lives of its participants. Students explore the challenges and potential of grassroots peace building, with special attention to issues of identity, culture, and memory as challenges and the principles of forgiveness, mercy, justice, and peace as potential.
SW 101: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
A survey course covering the development of the social welfare institution and the social work profession in the United States. Included is information on how social welfare and social work impact on diverse populations, populations at risk, and promotion of social and economic justice in our society. Content on social work values and ethics is interspersed throughout the course.
SW 201: Fundamentals of Social Work Practice I
An introduction to the generalist method of social work practice that includes the study of and practice of basic counseling skills. This course provides a foundation model for social work practice which is built and expanded upon in SW 301 and SW 401.
SW 204: Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
This course focuses on theories of human behavior and the interaction between behavior and the social environment. The course develops a conceptual framework for social work practice by examining knowledge and theory related to the development of human behavior across the life span in relation to individuals’ emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual, social and cultural contexts. A life cycle approach is used to understand the experience of individuals in their environment and explore theories of human behavior and responses to life cycle challenges. Human diversity, global perspectives, and an eco-systems approach to understanding human behavior are emphasized.
PAID 450: Personal, Political, and Social Reconciliation in Northern Ireland
How can communities with a recent history of violence live together peacefully? This course will examine the difficult yet inspiring Northern Ireland peace process through the lives of its participants. We will explore the challenges and potential of grassroots peace building, with special attention to issues of identity, culture, and memory as challenges and the principles of forgiveness, mercy, justice, and peace as potential. An integral part of the course will be meetings with representatives of the main political parties of Northern Ireland, former members of paramilitary organizations, academic experts, police officers, members of inter-community organizations, and victims of violence. Overnight destinations include Belfast, Derry, Ballycastle, Dublin and London.
- D.S.W, Saint Catherine University, University of Saint Thomas School of Social Work
- M.S.W, Augsburg College
- B.A., Social Work, Luther College