METHODS OF SOCIAL
WORK PRACTICE III
SOW 4332 Summer 2009
Florida International University
College of Urban and Public Affairs
School of Social Work
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Richard L. Beaulaurier, Ph.D., M.S.W. Office Hours: 12-5 PM Thursday (Please confirm with
instructor) Website: http://swjpa.fiu.edu/faculty/beau |
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CATALOG DESCRIPTION Provides and understanding of planned change at the community level from a social work perspective, as well as strategies and methods utilized in community organization practice. Identification of generalist skills and prevalent models of groups and community organization in social work practice
PREREQUISITES: SOW 4322, SOW 4511, SOW 4522
CO-REQUISITES: SOW 4511 and SOW 4523
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This practice course builds on knowledge and skills acquired in the other practice courses and will include an in-depth understanding and application of theories and techniques dealing with task groups, communities, and organizational systems. The course will emphasize assessment and intervention and continue through other phases. The material within these content areas will be presented across macro-methodologies.
The course will utilize a range of teaching examples including issues of oppression, equality, equity and adequacy, particularly those affecting people who are poor, people with disabilties, the aging, racial and ethnic minorities, sexual differences, and differences in sexual orientation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the semester, students should have developed the following competencies:
Related to knowledge:
An understanding of the basic skills, techniques and strategies used in the assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination phases of social work practice with communities and organizations.
An understanding of the issues inherent in the functioning of task groups and their relationship to organizational systems, communities and planning.
An understanding of the basic skills critical for social change efforts.
An understanding of the range of ethical and value issues that effect the functioning of organizations and their work in communities.
An understanding of the issues affecting organizational and community practice with racial and ethnic minorities, women, the elderly, sexual minorities, people with disabilities and other oppressed and disadvantaged groups.
Related to attitude:
A commitment to the application of social work ethics and values in work with organizations and communities.
A commitment to self-evaluation, understanding, and to an awareness of the utilization of self in organizational and community practice.
Related to skill:
An ability to identify and apply relevant theories to intervention which utilizes various social work macro-methods.
An ability to apply the skills of assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination in work with organizations, communities and with individuals who influence social welfare policies and programs.
An ability to analyze, select, and engage in appropriate intervention strategies relevant to equality, the issue of oppression, equity and adequacy, particularly as they affect minority, ethnic, gender, age-related, sexual preference and disability groups.
Related to Practice Values
Ability to apply basic social work values to the study and analysis of organizational and community problems particularly with regard to:
COURSE METHODOLOGY
This course will be conducted in a manner that emphasizes student-professor interaction, mutual responsibility for learning and sharing, and student participation. Students are expected to complete all reading assignments before class and to be fully prepared for discussion of assigned content, as well as integration of knowledge from other foundation courses from field practicum experiences. Class sessions will include lectures, discussion, simulations (role-playing), and student presentations. Class sessions will be augmented by case materials provided by the instructor and students. The overall teaching/learning situations will be didactic and experiential.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated on the basis of demonstration of knowledge and application of that knowledge on the following:
Note: There will be no make-up midterm examinations.
The final course grade will be consistent with university grading policies:
Percentage points:
|
A |
93-100 |
B- |
80-82 |
D+ |
67-69 |
|
A- |
90-92 |
C+ |
77-79 |
D |
64-66 |
|
B+ |
87-89 |
C |
73-76 |
D- |
60-63 |
|
B |
83-86 |
C- |
70-72 |
F |
59 & below |
Grade points:
|
A |
4.00 |
B- |
2.67 |
D+ |
1.33 |
|
A- |
3.67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
D |
1.00 |
|
B+ |
3.33 |
C |
2.00 |
D- |
0.67 |
|
B |
3.00 |
C- |
1.67 |
F |
0.00 |
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
The professor will abide by the University’s policies on religious holidays as specified in the University Catalogue and the Student Handbook. Any student may request to be excused from class to observe a holiday of his or her faith.
REQUIRED TEXTS AND
There are two required textbooks for this course:
Other assigned readings will be on reserve at the University Park Library. Note: Students are expected to read and master reserve readings just as they are expected to read and master other assigned readings in the required texts.
COURSE OUTLINE
Session 1 Introduction and
course overview
Review of class requirements
Macro-practice issues
Session 2 Theoretical foundations of
macro-practice, Part 1
Texts:
Homan:
Chapter 1 Understanding the challenge to
change
Weinbach:
Chapter 1 Definitions and Assumptions
Chapter 2 The Context of Human Services Management
Session 3 Theoretical foundations of
macro-practice, Part 2
Texts:
Weinbach:
Chapter 3 Historical Origins of Current Management Theories
Homan:
Chapter 2 Theoretical Frameworks for Community Change
Session 4 Assessment and Planning
Texts:
Homan:
Chapter 6 Knowing your community
Chapter 8 Powerful Planning
Weinbach:
Chapter 4 Influencing by planning
Session 5 MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Session 6 Diversity, Committees, work
groups, community groups and boards
Texts:
Homan:
Chapter 8 People—the most valuable resource
Weinbach
Chapter 5: Creating and Managing Diversity
Session 7 Decision making and communication
Texts:
Session 8 Power and Leadership
Texts:
Homan
Chapter 6 Power
Weinbach:
Chapter 10 Leading
Session 9 Community relations and
networking
Texts:
Homan:
Chapter 11 Building the Organizing Effort
Chapter 12 Taking Action—Strategies and Tactics
Session 10 Budgets and financial management
Texts:
READING:
Skidmore, R. (1995). Social Administration: Dynamic management and human
relationships (3rd ed.).
Homan:
Chapter 9: Raising other resources
Session 11 Motivation and Control
Texts:
Weinbach:
Chapter 6 Promoting Work Performance
Chapter 9 Controlling Staff Behavior
Session 12 Advocacy practice
Texts:
Ezell, M. (2001). Advocacy in the human services.
(Chapter 2: Understanding Advocacy)
Homan:
Chapter 10 Getting the Word Out
Chapter 15 Lobbying for Change
Session 13 Strategies and Tactics of Change
Homan:
Chapter 12: Taking Action—Strategies and Tactics
Chapter 13: Enhancing the Quality of Neighborhoods
Session 14 Organizational Effectiveness
Texts:
Weinbach:
Chapter 8: Organizing work activities
Homan:
Chapter 14: Increasing the Effectiveness of Established, Formal Organizations
TERM PAPER DUE!!
Contemporary and future issues in macro-practice, and wrap up
Additional reading on Community Practice:
Rothman, J. (Ed.). (1999). Reflections on
community organizing (5th ed.). Itasca, IL: F. E. Peacock.
Rothman, J., Erlich,
J. L., & Tropman, J. E. (Eds.). (1995). Strategies
of community intervention (5th ed.). Itasca, IL: F. E. Peacock.
Taylor, S. H., & Roberts, R.
W. (Eds.). (1985). Theory and Practice of Community
Social Work.
Tropman, J. E., Erlich, J. L., & Rothman, J.
(Eds.). (1995). Tactics and techniques of community intervention (3rd
ed.).
Weil, M. O., & Gamble, D. N.
(1995). Community Pracitce Models, Encyclopedia
of Social Work (19th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 577-594).
Weil, M. (Ed.) (1996). [ENTIRE ISSUE] Journal of Community Pracitce, 3(3/4), 5-68.
Additional reading on Administration:
Edwards, R. L., Yankey, J. A., & Altpeter, M.
A. (Eds.). (1998). Skills for effective management
of nonprofit organizations.
Hasenfeld, Y. (1983). Human Service Organizations.
Hasenfeld, Y. (1992). Human Services as Complex Organizations.
Kettner, P. M., Moroney, R. M., & Martin, L.
L. (1990). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based
approach.
Mohrman, S. A., Galbraith, J. R., & Lawler, E. E., III (Eds.).
(1998). Tomorow's organization: Crafting
winning capabilities in a dynamic world.
Netting, F. E., Kettner, P. M., & McMurtry,
S. L. (1998). Social work macro practice.
(2nd. ed.).
Perlmutter, F. D. (Ed.).
(1988). Alternative Social Service Agencies: Administrative Strategies.
Rapp,
C. A., & Poertner, J. (1992). Social Administration: A
Client-Centered Approach.
Shafritz, J. M., & Ott, J. S. (Eds.).
(1996). Classics of Organization Theory (4th ed.).