Integrating a Responsive Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in Social Work Education: Events, Experiences, and Effects

This Banded Dissertation is comprised of three Scholarly Products that emphasize the need for undergraduate social work educators to become aware of the impact that trauma has on students’ academic achievement. A trauma-informed perspective is used as the framework to explore educators’ teaching practices and their perceptions of their student’s educational experiences. The first Product is a conceptual article titled, “Teaching Strategies to Effectively Engage Undergraduate Students Impacted by Trauma: An Exploration of African American Students”. This article analyzes the effects that adverse childhood experiences have on undergraduate students’ academic success. Trauma-informed teaching strategies are emphasized to support educators in providing students with a safe and liberating learning environment. The second Product is a scoping review titled, “Educational Experiences of Implementing a Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in Baccalaureate Social Work Education: A Scoping Review”. This Product evaluates the current educational experiences of students in social work programs where educators primarily practice from a trauma-informed approach. The third Product is a professional poster presentation that advocates for the inclusion of the six trauma-informed principles within baccalaureate education. This presentation was presented at the Lilly Conference located in San Diego, CA with a core motive to promote active and engaged learning. Empathizing, creating safe spaces, and opportunities within higher education for the oppressed and vulnerable populations is a collective mission and one that helps society shift the cultural narrative from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?

Retention of Bachelor Level Social Work Degree Holders

The overarching theme of this Banded Dissertation is the retention of bachelor level social workers as vital members of the field of social work. The first product of this Banded Dissertation is a conceptual paper that explains the importance of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree holder to the field. In this paper, I argued that the BSW degree holder is an integral part of the field of social work, thus asserting the importance of their retention in the field. The second product, survey research project with an online questionnaire and individual interviews, explores the factors that influence the career choices of BSW degree holders through an online survey and interviews. Understanding reasons BSW degree holders leave the field of social work is the first step in retaining them

The Rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States

Join a webinar with a panel discussion about the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. Moderated by Dr. Michael Hollerich, professor emeritus of historical theology at the University of St. Thomas, this program features presentations from a panel scholars followed by a Q&A session. Andrew Whitehead is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Association of Religion Data Archives at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at IUPUI (Indiana University and Purdue University). He will lead off our discussion by summarizing his sociological research about the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. His work was recently published under the title, Taking America Back for God. David Goldenberg is the Midwest Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. He will follow Andrew Whitehead’s presentation by providing an overview of the rise of hate crimes in the United States and in the Midwest, in particular. William Cavanaugh is Professor and Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology at DePaul University. He will follow David Goldenberg’s presentation by providing a theological interpretation about Christian Nationalism as idolatry. Moderated by Michael Hollerich Professor Emeritus at the University of St. Thomas. For years, he has taught a course on Christianity and Nazism, and another on Theology and Politics at the University of St. Thomas. He will outline some of the key similarities but also key differences of the current situation in the United States and the rise of Nazism during the Weimar Republic. Organized and sponsored by the Theology Department at the University of St. Thomas in collaboration with the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thoma

Echoes of the Divine: A Dialogue between Jewish and Christian Musical Traditions

A Concert and Conversation with Amy Grinsteiner (piano), Thomas Schönberg (cello), and David Jordan Harris (moderator) Music can be a potent meeting place between religious cultures, both as a fertile crossroad for the musicians and as an instructive and emotionally compelling bridge for audiences to experience another culture. Echoes of the Divine features pianist Amy Grinsteiner, cellist Thomas Schönberg, and moderator David Jordan Harris in a concert of music and conversation. Among the composers whose work will be performed are Paul Ben-Haim, Ernest Bloch, Max Bruch, Nikolai Kapustin, Isabella Leonarda, Felix, and Arvo Pärt. Amy Grinsteiner is associate professor of music at CSB/SJU, teaching piano, music through history, and rock and roll music. She also serves as the faculty program coordinator at the Seattle Piano Institute, a summer program for aspiring young classical pianists at the University of Washington, Seattle. She earned a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington. As a recipient of both the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Award and the P.E.O. National Scholar Award, she has traveled extensively, building appreciation for the arts. Dr. Grinsteiner was the recipient of CSB’s Sister Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award in 2017 and she currently chairs the CSB/SJU music department. Thomas Schönberg, earned a Master of Music degree from San Diego State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford where he was principal cellist for two school orchestras. He also served as principal cellist for the Johns Hopkins Symphony Orchestra and as assistant principal for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and has given numerous solo performances and cello/piano recitals throughout the world. Together he and guitarist Chris Kachian form The Arpeggione Duo and have performed hundreds of concerts and recorded five albums. Dr. Schönberg has been dean of three schools of music in Sweden and is currently a resident scholar at the Collegeville Institute where he is working on “The Bach Book Project. David Jordan Harris, a graduate of the University of Chicago, is artistic director and co-founder of the Twin Cities-based performance ensemble Voices of Sepharad. Integrating his skills as a singer, actor, and dancer, he has appeared as guest artist with many ensembles, including Zorongo Flamenco, Katha Dance Theatre, Corning Dances and Company, Illusion Theater, North Star Opera, Rose Ensemble, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Lyra Baroque Orchestra, Ensemble Espaῆol, and In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. Harris was the founding music director of Shir Tikvah Congregation where he led music for 21 years and was the founding executive director of Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council Organized and sponsored by Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John\u27s University with funding, in part, provided by Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota, and additional support from the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies and Chapel Arts Series at the University of St. Thoma

Pope Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution

Matthew Ramage, Professor of Theology at Benedictine College, has become an outstanding figure in the theological world through his scholarly engagement of Benedict XVI’s work on scripture and evolution. His recent book, From the Dust of the Earth: Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution is providing new ways of looking at the Bible while embracing the scientific development of evolutionary theory. Ramage’s work includes translations of Benedict’s work otherwise unavailable in English and, throughout, it is thoroughly honest in its treatment of scripture in light of evolutionary theory. On Wednesday, March 1, 7:00-8:30pm, Dr. Ramage will guide us in exploring issues of science and theology. How can the Bible, Catholic/Christian theology, and the theory of evolution be reconciled? How can they be reconciled while accepting the scientific consensus about evolutionary origins of the human race? Matthew Ramage’s work focuses on these issues, and he synthesizes some of the best and most important figures of contemporary interest