As a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work, with the hope of obtaining a master’s degree in the same, I will move through multiple threshold concepts within my discourse community. I will analyze the ways in which social work is a discourse community and the influence my degree program at Washburn University will have on my future in social work. A threshold concept is an area in which one learns what they need to do in order to be part of a discourse community (Wardle and Downs, 2014, pp. 1-11). A discourse community is a community that shares common goals, beliefs, lexis, and genres (Swales, 1990, pp. 215-227). My analysis will include my own personal journey, course requirements, as well as primary and secondary resources.
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Genres are texts within the community. Texts include educational and professional writings, as well as examples of articles, journals, textbooks, and forms. Literary communication in social work comes from many different areas which often include psychology and sociology. One problem with social work being so close to other fields is the blurred lines in regards to the responsibilities of the fields which often intersect. Writings although similar are altered to fit the needs of social work. Social work is relatively new and is still growing. Social work literature evolves as societies grow and evolve. I have noticed that several text books are third, fourth, and even higher editions, connoting regular change and updates designed to better fit current social work. Policies and programs is a two-part core requirement course, this course fits in well with the genres due to the fact that without policies and programs we wouldn’t have a framework in which to create the goals that fit our specific area of expertise. Classes that aren’t requirements enhance the ability of students to study appropriate genres within our community. Many classes require writing based on our degree program. Washburn assists students by allowing open communication within degree and non-degree specific education. Reading and writing in social science is a perfect example of this, I found a diverse and new, but growing, area of social work thanks to this course. Core electives are another area that build upon the genre. We have multiple class options and because of this diversity we are able to delve into more specific areas of individual interest. My first elective was human-animal bond, enabling me to pursue an area that I am very passionate about; working with animals in a therapeutic atmosphere. The next elective I chose to take is social work in the law. This class instructs students in proper
Genres are texts within the community. Texts include educational and professional writings, as well as examples of articles, journals, textbooks, and forms. Literary communication in social work comes from many different areas which often include psychology and sociology. One problem with social work being so close to other fields is the blurred lines in regards to the responsibilities of the fields which often intersect. Writings although similar are altered to fit the needs of social work. Social work is relatively new and is still growing. Social work literature evolves as societies grow and evolve. I have noticed that several text books are third, fourth, and even higher editions, connoting regular change and updates designed to better fit current social work. Policies and programs is a two-part core requirement course, this course fits in well with the genres due to the fact that without policies and programs we wouldn’t have a framework in which to create the goals that fit our specific area of expertise. Classes that aren’t requirements enhance the ability of students to study appropriate genres within our community. Many classes require writing based on our degree program. Washburn assists students by allowing open communication within degree and non-degree specific education. Reading and writing in social science is a perfect example of this, I found a diverse and new, but growing, area of social work thanks to this course. Core electives are another area that build upon the genre. We have multiple class options and because of this diversity we are able to delve into more specific areas of individual interest. My first elective was human-animal bond, enabling me to pursue an area that I am very passionate about; working with animals in a therapeutic atmosphere. The next elective I chose to take is social work in the law. This class instructs students in proper