News & Events
school of social work on facebook
posted 7/10/2008
The BSU School of Social Work recently established a group on the popular social networking site Facebook. The group allows alumni, current students, and interested students a way to socialize, get advice, and keep up-to-date with the department. The group can be accessed by visiting Facebook.com and searching for Boise State University School of Social Work, or by following the link below.
New Class Offering: Social Work and Criminal Justice Issues In Indian Country
Posted 6/12/2007
When: August 6 –10, 2008 (½ Wednesday the 6th and Sunday the 10th are travel days)
Participate in a truly unique and once in a lifetime experience. Boise State University, in collaboration with the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribes is offering, for the third consecutive year, a highly “interactive” and “experiential” learning opportunity. “Social Work and Criminal Justice Issues in Indian Country” is available as a 1, 2, or 3 credit class/ workshop to all undergraduate and graduate BSU students through the CJA and SOCWRK Departments. Students can learn about the challenges of providing Health and Human services in areas of: Tribal Policing, Tribal Courts, Adult and Youth Probation and Parole, Gangs & Gang Violence, Domestic Violence and Victims programs, Drug Trafficking on reservations, Federal Prosecution, Tribal Prosecution, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorney General, and Tribal Detective investigations on Indian Reservations, Child Protection, Medical, Elder Protection, and General Assistance Social Service programs; Mental Health, Counseling, Child Care and Head Start programs, Tribal Attorneys, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Indian Education, Tribal Farming, Tribal Casino Operations, Indian Health Service, the Indian Child Welfare Act, Treaties, American Indian Movement, and Sovereignty in Indian Country; traditional plants and medicines, ceremonial uses, and arts and culture. Students can take their own vehicles, share rides, or ride a school van.
The class will be conducted on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, located in Southeastern Idaho, in conjunction with the 46th Annual Shoshone Bannock Tribes Indian Festival (one of the largest Indian powwows in the country). Participants will have the opportunity to sleep at the campground in traditional Shoshone Bannock style tepees, bring your own tents (showers available), or stay in nearby hotels. Participants will be guests of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes “buffalo feast,” Miss Shoshone Bannock Queen Brunch, and tour the reservation, rarely seen by non-tribal members.
Although much will be learned about the tradition, lifestyle, culture, and history of the Shoshone Bannock people, this class is more than just a “cultural experience” and provides an educational opportunity that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. Employees of the tribes will share the day to day challenges of providing services to tribal members, on the reservation. They will also share their experiences working with federal, state, and non-profit agencies off reservation. Universally Native Americans are disproportionately over-represented as clients in social work, criminal justice, and other health and human service systems. However, they are under-represented as providers and administrators in these same systems.
Students can register by calling the Extended Studies Office @ 426-1709 or going on line to the BSU Bronco Web site. In addition to the BSU per credit cost there is a $75.00 coordination fee, to be paid before the class begins. The class can also be taken by non-students as a career development workshop for $275.
For additional information or questions contact Josephine Halfhide (MCJA, MSW, ICWAE) by email, alaskaidaho@aol.com or by telephone at 208-345-3139. Class size will be limited to fifteen students, accepted on a first come first serve basis.