Inspiration and Healing through Art: A Multidisciplinary Course in Social Work
Presenters:
Andrés Amado and Leyla Feize
Presentation Title:
Inspiration and Healing through Art: A Multidisciplinary Course in Social Work
Abstract:
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted what many researchers, artists, and the general public often observe when they engage in play, art, and music: the ability of the arts to sooth, heal, inspire, and socially connect us to other people and our cultural heritage. In this presentation, two UTRGV instructors share their experiences teaching these subjects before and during the pandemic within the context of a multidisciplinary teaching collaboration. Dr. Leyla Feize (School of Social Work) and Dr. Andres Amado (School of Music) initially designed the course "Introduction to Play, Art, and Music Intervention" as a means to develop awareness among graduate students of how the arts contribute to their professions and personal well-being, and to introduce them to current research connecting wellness to artistic fields. With enthusiastic feedback from students and support from the Schools of Music and Social Work, the course has since expanded to include a cross-listed undergraduate section and will soon be part of the new Medical Humanities Minor in the College of Liberal Arts. We argue that besides helping students prepare for diverse career paths, the course has also been a source of inspiration and human connection. In this presentation, Dr. Feize and Dr. Amado will share their experiences of interdisciplinary collaboration. They elaborate on the triangle of exploration, discovery, and satisfaction and on assisting students to take responsibility for their learning. They will also share their methods of connecting students' professional development to their personal development.
- Identify connections between professional development and personal development and apply them to teaching.
- Develop methods to help students take responsibility for their learning.
- Consider ways to apply the triangle of exploration, discovery, and satisfaction when teaching in the health-related subjects.
- Outline potential benefits of multidisciplinary teaching collaborations.