Adoption: Policy and Practice

This course is designed to provide students with the concepts, knowledge, skills, and policies associated with contemporary adoption practices. The course analyzes adoption from a multi-system approach considering the viewpoints of adoption advocates, birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents. The course examines various adoption practices that are relevant to domestic, international, and foster care adoptions. For each topic covered in the course, social work roles, activities, tasks, and skills are explored along with policy related issues. The course considers the various developmental needs of adoptees. It also considers protective factors and risk factors associated with adoption. The issues of ethnically competent practice are emphasized throughout the course in each content area, as are the issues of values and ethics. It is designed as an introduction to adoption practices for those who wish to consider it as a future occupation or career. The sociological implications of adoption are explored. The course utilizes a biblical framework and Christian worldview while examining adoption services.