LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK EXEMPLAR SYLLABUS Course Title: Social Work Practice with Groups Course Number: BSW SOWK 303; MSW SOWK 505 Prerequisites: BSW: 301 MSW: 503 Semester/Year: Class Time: TBA by section Class Location: TBA by section Instructor: Office Location: TBA by Section Instructor Office Hours: TBA by Section Instructor Phone: TBA by Section Instructor Email: TBA by Section Instructor COURSE DESCRIPTION This course presents theoretical and practical approaches to social work with small groups, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of small group process and appropriate worker interventions. A five-stage model of group work is the basis for conceptualizing, planning, assessing, intervening, and evaluating group work practice. Attention is paid to issues of mutual aid, empowerment, social and economic justice, and group work practice with diverse and at risk populations. Through a generalist perspective, students explore both task and treatment groups, including committees, teams, and advisory boards, as well as groups for education, socialization and remediation. Critical thinking skills are emphasized throughout the course via decisions surrounding the appropriate use of groups as a method of intervention, the assessment of membership and the evaluation and research of group work practices. Other content areas address the roles and functions of the group worker, issues and considerations of ethical group work practice, and approaches for establishing and maintaining groups in an agency. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER COURSES Social Work Practice with Groups is a foundation course for both BSW and MSW programs. The content of this course further develops the knowledge, values and skills learned in Social Work with Individuals and Families (SOWK 301/503). 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES & EPAS RELATED COMPETENCIES1 Through course materials and assignments, students are expected to demonstrate mastery of the following objectives, all of which are at the basic, foundation level. At the conclusion of this course, each student shall demonstrate competency in: 2.1.1 Identify with the social work profession, its mission and core values, and conduct oneself accordingly. PB: Practice personal reflection and self-correction Assignments: (1) Professional Association Experience /Twelve Step Paper; (2) Small Group Experience Paper 2.1.3 Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. PB: Critically appraise and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research based knowledge and evidence-informed practice wisdom. PB: Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and colleagues. Assignments: (1) Professional Association Experience /Twelve Step Paper; (2) Exam; (3) Small Group Experience Paper 2.1.4 Engage diversity and difference in practice. PB: Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life experiences. Assignments: (1) Professional Association Experience /Twelve Step Paper; (2) Small Group Experience Paper 2.1.7 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. PB: Integrate conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation. PB: Critique and apply knowledge to understand the reciprocal interactions between people and their environments. Assignments: (1) Professional Association Experience /Twelve Step Paper; (2) Exam; (3) Small Group Experience Paper 2.1.9 Respond to contexts that shape practice. PB: Continuously discover, appraise, and learn about populations, scientific and technological Assignments: (1) Professional Association Experience /Twelve Step Paper; (2) Exam. 1 The identified EPAS/PBs for the course may not be varied among sections for the same course. Assignments attached to specific EPAS/PBs are considered the standard assignments across all sections of the same course. Section Instructors may add additional topics/materials/assignments to their section, but they may not change the basic course topics/materials/assignments. 2 2.1.10 Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 2.1.10a Engagement PB: Substantively and effectively prepare for action with individuals, families, group, organizations, and communities. 2.1.10b Assessment PB: Select appropriate evidence informed intervention strategies 2.1.10c Intervention PB: Facilitate transitions and endings 2.1.10d Evaluation PB: Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions. Assignments: (1) Professional Association Experience /Twelve Step Paper; (2) Exam; (3) Small Group Experience Paper CRITERIA FOR GRADING Grades are based upon criterion-referenced grading. The Description of Assignments section of this document reviews the specific points for each assignment. In general, letter grades are assigned using the criteria below: Letter Description Grades and Values Grade Overall performance is Exceptional A 4.00 96-100% A A- 3.67 92-95% Overall performance is Good B+ 3.33 88-91% B B 3.0 84-87% B- 2.67 80-83% Overall performance is Acceptable. Work meets basic expectations C+ 2.33 76-79% C set by Instructor. A grade of C- requires that BSW and MSW C 2.0 72-75% students retake the course. C- 1.67 68-71% Overall performance is Poor - student must retake course. D+ 1.33 64-67% D D 1.0 60-63% Overall performance is Unsatisfactory - student fails course. See F 0 Below 60% F Student Handbook. At the discretion of the section Instructor a temporary grade of Incomplete may be assigned to a student who, for a reason beyond the student’s control, has been unable to complete the I required work in a course on time. The request signed by the student and the faculty member must be on approved and on file with the BSW or MSW Program Director when grades are submitted. See Student Handbook. READING ASSIGNMENTS All reading assignments are listed in the “Course Schedule.” It is expected that students will come to class having read the materials and are prepared to discuss them. Students are encouraged to explore other resources if certain concepts are not understood. Supplemental readings may also be listed so students may explore the topic further. 3 Required Text(s) Bernstein, S. (1978). Explorations in group work: Essays in theory and practice. Chapter 2. Bloomfield, CT: Practitioner’s Press. Gitterman, A. & Salmon, R. (2008). Encyclopedia of social work with groups. New York, NY: Routledge. Toseland, R.W. and Rivas, R.F. (2012). An introduction to group work practice (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Highly recommended textbook Yalom, I. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). Basic Books. Recommended textbooks Conyne, R. K. (1999). Failures in group work: How we can learn from our mistakes. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Corey, G., Corey, M.S., Callahan, P., Russell, J.M. (2004). Group techniques (3rd ed.). USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing. DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS In order to meet EPAS competencies, assignments 1-3 below are standard assignments for all sections of this course. Weighting of class assignments is as follows: Assignment % of Final Grade Professional Association Experience and Analysis Paper or 25 Visit and Analysis of a Twelve-Step Meeting Paper Exam 30 Small Group Experience and Summary Paper 25 Additional Assignments 20* *Individual class section instructors may use the additional assignments percentage for section- specific activities such as class participation and/or additional assignments. Alternatively, the percentage can be redistributed to the standard assignments above. Assignment One: Professional Association Experience and Analysis OR Visit and Analysis of a Twelve-Step Meeting Paper Option A: Professional Association Experience and Analysis Select a social work/social welfare professional association that interests you, attend a meeting of that organization, and write a (5-7) page paper analyzing your experience utilizing the outline below. Cut and paste the entire assignment outline and respond to each item under its Roman numeral and full topic heading. Please proof-read carefully, and be sure to incorporate 4 extensive, relevant course literature especially in item XII. Linking your experience to course literature and discussions is a critical component of this assignment. Examples of organizations whose meetings might interest you include National Association of Social Work (NASW), the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), and the Illinois Group Psychotherapy Society (IGPS). A major objective of this assignment is to enhance your knowledge, experience, appreciation and critical thinking about the role of professional associations as a significant component of your chosen profession and a potentially supportive community for your ongoing development. Viewing these associations not as bureaucratic organizations, but rather as groups designed to support and enhance one’s life work, can be a valuable frame of reference for the new professional. Social workers, in particular, need one another’s support in today’s climate of increasing demands, limited resources, and frequent burnout. Professional associations provide one vehicle for developing these connections. Assignment Outline Viewing the association meeting through the lens of a group worker, please respond to the following items: Part One I. Name of association II. Date, time and length of meeting III. Place of meeting IV. Participants