Office Hours: MWR  10:00 – 11:00
                                   2:00 – 2:30
 
Additional hours by appointment

Netting, F.E., Kettner, P.M., & McMurtry, S.L. (1993). Social work macro practice. White Plains, NY: Longman Publishers.

Alinsky, S. (1989). Rules for radicals: A pragmatic primer for realistic radicals (rev. ed.). New York: Vintage Books.
 

The third in the undergraduate practice sequence, this course will provide students with an overview of social work beyond individual (micro) and family or small group (mezzo) intervention.  In this course, students will apply a generalist practice model to work with organizations, neighborhoods and communities.  This course builds on the stages of problem identification, intervention, and evaluation that were integral components of the two previous practice courses.  This course will also provide an understanding of the methods and skills that facilitate the empowerment of marginalized groups in society.  The course will serve to identify social structures and institutions that act to disempower and immobilize vulnerable groups, and present methods of assisting such groups to garner power and access resources needed to meet identified needs.

1. Students will develop an understanding of macro practice within the framework of generalist social work practice.

2. Students will increase their knowledge of the historical and contemporary trends related to community organization and social action in social work.  Students will furthermore understand how these issues have effected social policy related to groups with specific needs.

3. Students will increase their knowledge of the central values and perspectives of major cultural groups in society, especially those groups who have had to struggle to have a voice in the direction of social change.  Students will understand what aspects of community serve to disempower marginalized groups, and what methods may be utilized to diminish feelings of isolation and disempowerment.

4. Students will develop an understanding of the various skills and techniques needed to apply social work practice principles to larger systems such as organizations and communities in order to effect change.

5. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of values and ethics when intervening at a macro level.

6. Students will increase their awareness of the various techniques of community organization as well as the tactics involved in social action movements.

7. Students will acquire knowledge of the role of the leader in community organizations and social action movements, and the dilemmas that often confront leaders.  Students will also come to understand the important differences between indigenous and professional leadership.

8. Students will develop an understanding of various issues pertaining to confrontation, negotiation, and compromise.

9. Students will acquire knowledge of developing appropriate goals and objectives related to macro practice needs, and the methods of assessing programs to determine whether such goals and objectives have been met in an efficient manner.

10. Students will develop an awareness of organizational issues in social service delivery, and means of assessing and producing change within organizations to ensure that they adequately respond to the needs of their clients.

1. Attendance for this class is required.  A percentage of the final student grade will be based on participation and attendance.  A delineation of the attendance policy is included below.

2.  Chronic lateness is unacceptable.  If any student has a problem attending classes on
time, s/he should meet with the instructor to correct the problem.  Any student needing to leave class early must  discuss this with the instructor upon arrival.

3. All papers and assignments for this course are to be the student’s original work.  No
 “recycled” work will be accepted, and if any such work is turned in, the student will  receive an automatic “F” for the assignment.  Students are to accurately paraphrase
 original authors, and are encouraged to use this class to expand their resource repertoire.

4. Any work (papers or assignments) that is turned in late will be discounted 5% of the
 maximum grade for each late day, regardless of why the paper is late.
 
5. It is the student’s responsibility to attain, from other students, handouts, notes, outlines,
 etc. for any date they miss.

1. The instructor will ensure that students are kept up-to-date regarding any due dates or
 changes in the syllabus.  In general, changes in expectations or due dates will be  included on handouts, but this may not always be the case.

2. The instructor will make himself available to students for consultation, clarification,
 discussion, etc. regarding any matter contained within this syllabus or the course in
 general.  Concerns regarding the class should be discussed with the instructor.

3. In keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act  of 1973, the instructor will do his best to accommodate students who have a diagnosed  disabilities.

4. Whenever possible, the instructor will grade papers and tests as impartially as possible.  This may mean that students will be asked to provide a code # on papers and tests,  instead of names.
 
 

SW 400 Overview