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Use of term "Field" in our discipline

  • 1.  Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 20, 2023 11:02
    Hello fellow directors,

    Perhaps some of you have seen this recent article in NPR regarding USC's recent shift away from the use of the word "Field" to describe internship work.
    A USC office removes 'field' from its curriculum, citing possible racist connotations
    NPR.org remove preview
    A USC office removes 'field' from its curriculum, citing possible racist connotations
    An office within the University of Southern California's School of Social Work says it is removing the term "field" from its curriculum because it may have racist connotations related to slavery.
    View this on NPR.org >

    We at the University of Minnesota Duluth are considering making a similar change, and I'd love to learn how other programs are thinking and talking about this if so. I imagine it will become a more common topic of conversations in social work and other disciplines. 

    Thanks,
    Sara Lien



    ------------------------------
    Sara Lien
    MSW Field Director
    University of Minnesota Duluth
    Duluth MN
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 24, 2023 15:23
    Hi Sara,
    Yes, we are also discussing making this change as well.

    ------------------------------
    Sandra Stephenson, LMSW-Clinical
    Director of Field Education (MSW/BSW)
    Spring Arbor University
    Spring Arbor, Michigan
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  • 3.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 24, 2023 15:35
    We will be talking about this in our next faculty meeting and is something I am considering for our program as well.

    ------------------------------
    Nicholas Navarro
    MSW Field Director
    College of St. Scholastica
    Duluth MN
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 25, 2023 11:31
    Sara,

    Thanks for sharing this article! This topic has also come up in our program and is something we have begun discussing.



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    Sara Chears-Martinez
    National Louis University
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  • 5.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 25, 2023 12:33
    Hello! We are are going to be implementing changes at Ferris State University. We are currently discussing this within our leadership team and then will begin the process of rolling out the adopted changes. As you all can imagine, the amount of changes are astronomical (literally just thinking about the million places "field" shows up in our documents, and even my title is enough to blow my mind).

    ------------------------------
    Dana Holcomb
    Director of Field
    Ferris State University
    Big Rapids MI
    danaholcomb@ferris.edu
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 26, 2023 08:09
    What have been the suggestions for renaming positions? Director of...clinical education, practice?

    ------------------------------
    Laurie Webb
    Director of MSW Field Education
    ETSU
    Johnson City TN
    423-439-3007
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 26, 2023 23:05
    At the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, my position title and job description have been re-written and approved by our MSW program, our School of Social Work and our College's HR (as high up as it needed to go).  We are using "Director of Practicum Education".




    --
    SSW Graduate Faculty Member - Director of Practicum Education
    UofM Medical Reserve Corp         UofM Mental Health Advocate
    My Office is a Safe Space ❤️ 
    140-D Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave.St. Paul, MN  55108         
    Tel. - (612) 624-4262         Cell - (651) 491-1941





    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 27, 2023 10:00
    Thanks for sharing Heidi. Will your program be changing terminology in classes, field manual, placement documentation etc.? I appreciate hearing about this transition as you navigate it as I'm sure it's a lot of work, but very meaningful as well.

    Thanks!


    ------------------------------
    Nicholas Navarro
    MSW Field Director
    College of St. Scholastica
    Duluth MN
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 27, 2023 10:05
    We are all in.  It is a work in progress.  We expect to be in full implementation by Fall 2023.
    --
    SSW Graduate Faculty Member - Director of Practicum Education
    UofM Medical Reserve Corp         UofM Mental Health Advocate
    My Office is a Safe Space ❤️ 
    140-D Peters Hall, 1404 Gortner Ave.St. Paul, MN  55108         
    Tel. - (612) 624-4262         Cell - (651) 491-1941





    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 31, 2023 10:38
    I know my response is a bit late, so my apologies. I believe Director of Practicum Education works well. Maybe this would be great for a Hot Topic session.


    Kindest regards,

    Dr. Clarke


    Anna M. Clarke, DSW, CSW
    DIRECTOR OF FIELD EDUCATION/COURSE INSTRUCTOR

    SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT
    RR 1 Box 10,000, Kingshill, VI 00850-9781
    P: (340) 692-4149
    E: anna.clarke@uvi.edu

    How would you rate our Customer Service?  Click here.

     

    image011.png@01D67226.784F3970

     

             





    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 25, 2023 13:35

    I realize this question is going to sound defensive (or maybe offensive), but I promise it is asked out of genuine curiosity. Is the thought to stop using the term "field" for all occurrences, such as "the field of medicine" or just when discussing practicums and practice immersion experiences?

    Thank you,



    ------------------------------
    Myke Selha
    Field Education Director
    Grand View University
    Des Moines IA
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  • 12.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Jan 26, 2023 10:03
    Myke

    I had similar thoughts, but was reflecting on the military use of the term, such as a Field Medic, and going into one's area of study or practice arena. It seems that the definitions of field referencing "a particular branch of study or sphere of activity or interest" or "carried out or working in the natural environment, rather than in a laboratory or office" are not being considered the dominant understanding, as much as a literal open land/pasture/crop. Undoubtedly, lots to consider, but also a pretty heavy lift if the term field is replaced. 

    Staying tuned to how programs are approaching this!

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    Jenifer Gamble
    University of Kentucky
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Feb 02, 2023 09:10
    Hi,
    We are adding this discussion to the next faculty meeting.  Just in hallway conversation, the views are mixed.

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    Tonya Slawinski
    Director, Office of Field Education
    University of PIttsburgh, School of Social Work
    Pittsburgh PA
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  • 14.  RE: Use of term "Field" in our discipline

    Posted Feb 02, 2023 12:28
    We are discussing this also, but I myself have mixed feelings about it. Nicholas Kristof's Feb. 1 column in the New York Times has helped put into words some of my thoughts. (See "Inclusive or Alienating: The Language Wars Go On.")

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    Lisa Zimmer
    Director of Field Education/Assoc. Professor
    University of Cincinnati
    Cincinnati OH
    513-556-4626
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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