CHILD ADVOCACY STUDIES
Course Descriptions
Stark Hall, Room 341 (507-457-5131)
Jacqueline Hatlevig (Program Director)
Email: jhatlevig@winona.edu
FACULTY
Jacqueline Hatlevig, Professor, Nursing; B.S.N., Winona State University; M.S.N., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 1987 -
Carole Madland, Professor, Social Work; M.S.W., University of Tennessee-Nashville; B.A., Ph.D., Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri); 1991 -
ASSOCIATED FACULTY
Tamara Berg, Associate Professor; B.A., University of Wisconsin; M.A., Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington; 1995 -
J. Mark Norman, Associate Professor; B.A., M.S., St. Cloud State University; Ph.D., South Dakota State University; 1996 -
Todd Paddock, Assistant Professor; B.S., University of Michigan; M.S., Cornell University; Ph.D., Indiana University; 2004 -
PURPOSE
The Child Advocacy Studies curriculum focuses on experiential, interdisciplinary, ethical, and culturally sensitive content that provides professionals working with children a common knowledge base for responding to child maltreatment. This program focuses on developing students’ understanding of the numerous factors that lead to child maltreatment and existing responses to child maltreatment. The goal is to prepare students to work effectively within systems and institutions that respond to these incidents. Students will learn about the various disciplinary responses to child maltreatment and develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the most effective responses. Students completing the courses in this program will be better equipped to carry out the work of agencies and systems (health care, criminal justice, and social services) as they advocate on behalf of the needs of children as victims and survivors of child abuse.
B.A. MINOR CHILD ADVOCACY STUDIES (CAST)
21 S.H.
REQUIRED COURSES#CAST (18 S.H.)
301 Perspectives on Child Maltreatment & Child Advocacy (3)
302 Global Child Advocacy Issues (3)
401 Professional & System Responses to Child Maltreatment (4)
402 Responding to the Survivor of Child Abuse and Survivor Responses (4)
407 CAST Capstone Experience (4)
ELECTIVES#CAST (3 S.H.)
403 Child Exploitation, Pornography & the Internet (3)
404 Sociology of Child Poverty (3)
405 Gender, Violence and Society (4)
406 Child Advocacy Research Studies (3)
Students must apply for the child advocacy studies minor; applications for the minor are accepted in the fall and spring semesters. Please contact the Program Director for information about the application process. Students who wish to pursue the child advocacy studies certification are not required to complete an application.
CHILD ADVOCACY STUDIES CERTIFICATION
Students who complete all three CAST certification courses receive a certificate of completion from WSU and the National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC).
REQUIRED CERTIFICATION COURSES #
CAST (11 S.H.)
301 Perspectives on Child Maltreatment & Child Advocacy (3)
401 Professional & System Responses to Child Maltreatment (4)
402 Responding to the Survivor of Child Abuse and Survivor
Responses (4)
CERTIFICATION AND MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Students must receive a “C” or better in each course to obtain certification. In addition, students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards of the program.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS (CAST)
301 - Perspectives on Child Maltreatment & Child Advocacy (3 S.H.) This is the introductory course for child advocacy studies. This course covers the history, comparative perspectives, legal framework, responses to child maltreatment, skills necessary to do the work, other pertinent issues pertaining to child maltreatment and child advocacy, and the future. The field of child maltreatment is fraught with controversy. Much of the class focuses on these controversies. The approach of the course will be from a variety of professional perspectives, including that of a prosecuting attorney versus a defense attorney. The course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice, education, social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, paralegal, or other areas in which knowledge of child maltreatment and advocating for children might be necessary. Much of the work will be hands-on. Prerequisite: None. CAST 301 is in the University Studies Critical Analysis category.
302 -Global Child Advocacy Issues (3 S.H.)
This is a core course for the child advocacy studies minor. The purpose is to prepare students to recognize child advocacy issues around the world. The course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice, education, social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, paralegal, or other areas in which knowledge of child maltreatment and advocating for children will be necessary. Multidisciplinary approaches to advocacy in different countries throughout the world will be presented and discussed. Prerequisite: None. CAST 302 is in the University Studies Unity and Diversity, Global Perspective category.
401 - Professional & System Responses to Child Maltreatment (4 S.H.)
This course focuses on the responses of professionals to allegations of child maltreatment. The purpose is to expand the student’s knowledge and skills in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting child maltreatment. The course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice, education, social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, paralegal, and other areas in which knowledge of child maltreatment investigation and advocacy are necessary. Students will receive competency-based skills training such as forensic interviewing, documentation, and so on. Recommended prerequisites: Developmental psychology and communication courses.
402 - Responding to the Survivor of Child Abuse and Survivor Responses (4 S.H.)
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to recognize the effects of child maltreatment and to apply intervention strategies for children and their families. Multidisciplinary approaches to prevention, advocacy, and treatment of child maltreatment survivors will be presented and discussed. The course is designed for students majoring in criminal justice, education, social work, sociology, psychology, nursing, paralegal, or other areas in which knowledge of child maltreatment and advocating for children will be necessary. The experiential lab for this course involves courtroom observation and interaction with children. Prerequisites: CAST 301, CAST 401, or instructor’s permission.
403 - Child Exploitation, Pornography & the Internet (3 S.H.)
The overall goal of this course is the study and analysis of child sexual abuse and the manner in which human and social services respond to this problem. Specifically, this course will examine the predatory actions of offenders who engage in child sexual abuse and exploitation. Included in this assessment is an understanding of how perpetrators use computers, the Internet, and emerging technologies to exploit children. Students will also learn how social services and the criminal justice system respond to this phenomenon. Thus, the student will understand and appreciate the roles of law enforcement, forensics, courts, social workers, and health service providers in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of this form of child exploitation.
404 - Sociology of Child Poverty (3 S.H.)
Students will analyze poverty and child poverty in the U.S. while placing both in an international and historical context. They will understand the demographics of poverty and the effects of poverty on children. They will critically evaluate sociological research and theories for poverty and child poverty. Students will also evaluate societal responses to poverty and child poverty, particularly as they relate to child maltreatment. This course is useful for students in fields such as nursing, criminal justice, education, social work, sociology, pre-medicine, and pre-law.
405 - Gender, Violence and Society (4 S.H.)
This course introduces students to the roots of gender-based violence, the political and the cultural structures that perpetuate it; the course also explores how this violence might be brought to an end. Students will investigate the local and global impact of violence; how gendered violence intersects with race, class, sexuality, age, physical ability and the oppressions that are linked to these identities; and strategies for addressing gender-based violence. The overlap between gender-based violence and child abuse and neglect will be addressed under each topic. As part of the class, students will complete a 45-hour advocacy training requirement and 15 hours of volunteer advocacy work offered in partnership with the Women’s Resource Center of Winona. Course time will be divided between 2 credits of lab and 2 credits of theory. Prerequisite: CAST 301 or instructor’s permission.
406 –Child Advocacy Research Studies (3 S.H.)
Students will read, interpret, and evaluate the significance of research findings to child advocacy study. The course helps students understand the role of research and information technology in providing evidence-based practice for child advocacy study within their respective disciplines. Students work in small groups to critique research studies and synthesize their knowledge of the research process in the analysis of several studies. These studies focus on concepts relevant to child advocacy such as the effects of maltreatment, prevention and education; cultural elements of practice; as well as other factors that influence practice with families affected by maltreatment. This course also examines research design, ethical issues in research, the professional’s role in research, and the application of technology. Students will explore the use of computers and technology for processing and managing data. Prerequisites: CAST 301, 401, and 402, or instructor’s permission.
407 - CAST Capstone Experience (4 S.H.)
This course is an intense site-based experience of the student’s choice designed to encapsulate the essence of baccalaureate professional role development in an internship experience. This synthesis course allows students to expand their understanding of major concepts of child advocacy, experiential learning, and evidence-based practice in a setting of their choice. A multidisciplinary approach will be emphasized as students focus on ethical decision-making and cultural sensitivity with clients in a community location. Students work with preceptors in agencies and develop a project addressing a need within that agency. Prerequisites: CAST 301, 401, and 402 or instructor’s permission.
