SOCIAL WORK 632: Social Work Practice II: Foundations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Description
This is the second practice course in the foundation curriculum and is designed to provide students with an overview of the basic knowledge and skills. The use of generalist social work models as it relates to both group practice and community-based practice provide the primary focus. Key themes and concepts include introductory group practice knowledge for developing various types of groups, groups for populations at risk, general stages of group practice, and assessing group work. Community-based practice themes and concepts include documenting a community, assessing and understanding community problems and concerns, generic community practice skills and the need for social planning and activism.
This course focuses on introductory generalist practice models with diverse populations, with particular emphasis on interventions with rural populations and groups that experience social and economic injustices based on racial, ethic, sexuality, gender, religious, and other factors.
Prerequisites
SOWK 631
Educational Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. think critically and intervene purposefully with families, groups, and communities,
2. explore the application of practice skills within rural areas and small towns with formal, informal, and kinship networks.
3. illustrate a comprehension of theory based (ecological, strengths, interpersonal, existential, etc.) principles, skills and techniques, and assessment strategies necessary for successful leadership of a group;
4. integrate comprehension of the philosophy of autonomous practice based on a conscious use of self, guided by the Code of Ethics and the underlying moral principles of social work;
5. utilize theory-based models related to community assessment, intervention, advocacy, and social action;
6. employ a group and community practice whereby they understand, appreciate, and intervene with diverse populations by examining their own biases and assumptions and relativity of labels of “others”; and
7. exhibit intellectual habits that will lead to their interest in keeping abreast of professional literature and participate in the professional community.