Office Hours: M, W, Thurs 9:00AM - 11:00AM

Social Work Practice II stresses knowledge of methods and practice. Knowledge and skills for working with families and groups is the primary focus of this course. The course builds upon the knowledge and skills learned in Social Work 315 - Social Work Practice I. Use of systems and ecological perspectives, further development of self in the helping role and use of the problem-solving approach (engagement, collecting and assessing data, planning and contracting, selection and implementation of interventions, evaluation and termination) are emphasized. Knowledge of the diversity of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual preference and gender identity as this diversity influences social work practice with families and groups is included.

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of concepts, models and techniques for evaluating group and family practice interventions and how to use them.

2. Students will demonstrate their understanding of group and family dynamics and how this knowledge to implement generalist practice at the mezzo level.

3. Students will demonstrate their understanding of how to work with oppressed people in groups and with diverse family groups.

4. Students will demonstrate their understanding of how to form relationships with group and family members and of how to facilitate relationship development within groups and families.

5. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the importance of social work values and ethics in social work practice with particular emphasis on how values and ethics influence practice at the mezzo level.

6. Students will increase their awareness of their personal values and how their values influence their perceptions, interactions and decision-making.

7. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the problem-solving approach and how to apply this approach at the mezzo level with families and groups.

The following is how you will be evaluated in SOCW 316:
 
 

 The total points for this class is 450 points. This doesn’t mean you will get the full amount of points on everything. All assignments will be evaluated and the above is the total points possible. You will have some sort of exam or presentation each week. It is very important that you attend every class session.

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the class if you are not there on time you will be counted absent. There are no exceptions. This will be a very intense 5 weeks and it is imperative that you give this class your full attention. Working with groups and families is more complex than working with individuals, however if you developed the skills in SOCW 315 you will have no problem.

Learning to work with in groups is important, therefore please take your group participation serious. At the beginning of the session you will be assigned to a family, that is your family throughout the five weeks. You can not change families, we are born into families and we do not have a choice of who the members of our families are. You must learn to communicate with each member of your family. You must resolve your own conflicts.

The Poster Sessions must be done in a professional, and creative way. I will grade very hard on them. They should be done on poster board that is sturdy and can stand alone. I will give you a suggestion on types of groups.

The Final Case Study should be typed, double spaced, 12pt. You will need to hand in one hard copy and one copy on disk (save the case in WordPerfect).

Toseland, Ronald W. and Rivas, Robert F. An Introduction to Group Work Practice. 2nd edition, Boston: Allyn and Bacon 1995.

Eshleman, The Family. Handouts

Kirst-Ashman and Hull, Understanding Generalist Practice. Handouts.
 

WEEK ONE
Introduction, Orientation and Overview of course.
Assigned to families/groups: Define roles and responsibilities, create your family and define the conflicts that exist, in other words, write your initial social history.

Overview of social work with groups: focus, values and ethics
(Toseland and Rivas, chapter 1)

Overview of social work with families (Eshleman, chapter 1)
Lab
Group Exercise: Video taped

Turn in Initial Family Social History typed and on disk (saved in WordPerfect)
Understanding group and family dynamics
(Toseland and Rivas, chapter 3 and 4)
Eshleman, chapter 3 (lecture)

Group Exam (chapters 5, 6, 7)

WEEK TWO
Holiday: Take advantage of this day and catch up on your readings. (NO CLASS)

Theoretical Frameworks when working with groups and families
Tosleand and Rivas, chapter 2
Eshleman, chapter 2 (lecture)
Lab Work in your Family groups: Follow Lab sheet

Tape One Due
Group Exercises
Poster Sessions are due. Presentations today

WEEK THREE
The Working Stage: Toseland and Rivas, chapters 8, 9,
Class Exercise

The Working Stage cont....: Toseland and Rivas, chps 10,11
Lab: Follow the handout

Poster Sessions are due. Presentations today.

WEEK FOUR
Marital and Family Relationships
Eshleman, chapters 12, 13 (Handout)

The Ending Stage, Tosleand and Rivas, chapters, 12, 13
Lab: follow handout - Tape 2 due

Discuss Group Exam, Additional Poster Sessions, Group Exercises
Individual Exam ( To cover all readings and lectures except for what was done on the group exam)

WEEK FIVE
Go through Case examples, Tosleand and Rivas chapter 14
Wrap UP and discuss family dynamics

Final Case Study by group is due
Lab: Terminating with families and discussing tapes

Last class: TBA