sw 420 generalist practice: individuals - Minnesota State University ...

SW 420 GENERALIST PRACTICE: INDIVIDUALS
School of Social Work - MSUM
|Instructor Information |Course Information |
|Instructor: Tracy Clark |Class schedule: |
| |Tuesdays/Thursdays 12:00-1:15 |
|Office Phone: 477-4002 |Meeting place: LO 93 |
|Campus e-mail: clarkt@mnstate.edu |Credits: 3 |
|Office Hours-T-1:30-3:00; |Course Schedule: January 11 to |
|W-10:00-12:00 & 1:00-3:30; |May 3 |
|TH-1:30-4:30, F-12-1 | | Mission Statement of the MSUM Social Work Department Consistent with the mission of this upper Midwest teaching university, and
the Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (2008) of the Council on
Social Work Education, the MSUM School of Social Work educates competent
entry-level social work professionals with the core knowledge, values, and
skills necessary to engage in ethical and empowerment-based generalist
practice with all people in a dynamic and diverse society. Graduates are
prepared to promote planned change and advance social and economic justice,
and human rights, locally, nationally, and globally.
I. SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK TEACHING PHILOSOPHY The School of Social Work believes that its faculty members are committed
to creating a student-centered class environment that promotes a community
of learning and encourages honest dialogue, critical thinking, and respect
for diversity in culture, values, and opinions. The School's faculty
members employ a variety of teaching strategies to meet the various
learning styles and needs of students which include, but are not limited
to: lecture presentations, class discussions, writing assignments, lab
experiences, videos, constructive interaction with guest speakers,
simulations, role plays, and various additional formal and informal class
activities and processes. Synthesis, integration, and application of
knowledge and skills garnered from the various readings, lecture,
discussions, and interactive exercises constitute significant learning
opportunities for students. It is the School's belief that cultivating an environment of caring for our
students means we will "honor their humanity, hold them in high esteem,
expect high performance from them, and use strategies to fulfill their
expectations" (Gay, G. (2000). Culturally responsive teaching: Theory,
Research, and Practice. New York: Teachers College Press, p. 46). The
School also believes that students come to class with knowledge and
experience that, if shared, can enhance the learning process of everyone,
including the instructors. To engage and challenge each individual, it is
necessary to know students as people, so therefore instructors acknowledge
that each individual comes to class with their own set of abilities,
motivations, attitudes, goals, and cultural backgrounds. Getting to know
these various facets of our students allow us to excel as instructors
because we utilize and capitalize on students' knowledge, skills, talents,
and resources to make the classroom more interesting, dynamic, applicable,
and personal.
II. PROGRAM GOALS With a liberal arts foundation, MSUM SSW graduates are prepared for entry-
level professional social work practice. Further, graduates are prepared to
continue their formal education in social work or other graduate
discipline. Thus, MSUM SSW graduates will be prepared to: 1. Engage in evidence-based, entry-level social work practice with
individual, families,
groups, organizations, and communities within local, national, and global
multicultural societies
[EP2.1.1, EP2.1.3, EP2.1.6, EP2.1.8, and EP2.1.10]; 2. Practice within the principles, values, and ethics that guide the social
work profession
[EP2.1.2 and EP2.1.3]; 3. Influence social policies in order to alleviate poverty, oppression, and
social and economic injustice as well as advocate for human rights
[EP2.1.3, EP2.1.4, EP2.1.5, EP2.1.6, and EP2.1.8]; 4. Identify and affect the bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural
functioning of people
[EP2.1.7, and EP2.1.9]; and 5. Evidence practice from a culturally-sensitive perspective that
recognizes and appreciates diverse cultures, particularly those that differ
from one's own [EP 2.1.4].
III. CURRICULAR CONTEXT OF COURSE The Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Social Work program defines
generalist practice as the critical application of an eclectic knowledge
base, professional values, and a wide range of culturally competent skills
to a planned change process at any system level. All of the social work
courses utilize the generalist practice intervention model (GIM) as the
basis for social work on all the following levels: individuals, families,
groups, communities, and organizations. The SW 420: Generalist Practice -
Individuals course is the first practice course in the methods sequence in
the social work curriculum and provides foundation communication and
intervention skills that can be generalized and applied throughout the core
practice courses.
Sequencing Prerequisite: Admission into MSUM Social Work Department
Pre- or Co-requisite: SW 400
IV. CATALOG DESCRIPTION Generalist social work practice utilizing the problem-solving model with
focus on the knowledge, values, and skills for working with individuals.
V. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to give students beginning competency in generalist
social work practice utilizing the problem-solving model with focus on the
knowledge, values, and skills necessary for working with individuals. The
individual is viewed as the client system and is the unit of attention. An
eco-systems view of practice is used. Basic principles, skills, and
techniques for effective interviewing are studied and applied. Students
will have the opportunity to practice interviewing skills and the
application of the GIM in a video laboratory setting. This course builds on
knowledge grounded in a liberal arts foundation, including courses such as:
Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Social Psychology,
and Human Biology.
VI. COURSE COMPETENCIES It is a goal the social work program that students attain a beginning-level
mastery of the following social work competencies:
1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself
accordingly; 2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice; 3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional
judgments; 4. Engage diversity and difference in practice; 5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice; 6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research; 7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment; 8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being
and to deliver effective social work services; 9. Respond to contexts that shape practice; 10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families,
groups, organizations and communities; VI. TEXTBOOKS REQUIRED: Kirst-Ashman, K.K. & Hull, G. H. (2008). Understanding Generalist
Practice. 5th Edition. Brooks/Cole-Thomas Learning. Evans, D.R., Hearn, M.T., Uhlemann, M. R., & Ivey, A. E. (1998).
Essential Interviewing: A Programmed Approach to Effective
Communication. 8th Edition. Brooks/Cole Publishing, Pacific Grove,
CA. Other readings as assigned. VII. MATERIALS REQUIRED: Blank audiocassettes and videotapes IX. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING A. PRACTICE AUDIOTAPE
1. Tape-record a 10-15 minute interview with another classmate or a
friend. The interview situation should be related to social work in
some capacity and be a "real" situation if at all possible.
2. These practice tapes will be played and discussed in small groups.
This is a practice tape and will not be graded. No written work is
required.
B. ASSESSMENT PROJECT (This assignment is worth 25% of your grade.) 1. An assessment of a case-study will be done using the Generalist
Intervention Model. Students' will assess the client from multiple
perspectives, prioritize problems, provide a thorough analysis and
synthesis of how identified problems impact client and influence other
systems, identify process of information gathering, and develop a
potential intervention.
2. Self-assessment.
Practice Behaviors:
1. Practice personal reflection/self-correction (EP 2.1.1.2)
2. Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge,
including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom (EP
2.1.3.1)
3. Analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and
evaluation (EP 2.1.3.2)
4. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working
with groups (EP 2.1.3.3)
5. Recognize that culture's structures and values may oppress,
marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power (EP
2.1.4.1)
6. Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of
personal biases and values in working with diverse groups (EP
2.1.4.2)
7. Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of
difference in shaping life experiences (EP 2.1.4.3)
8. Use research evidence to inform practice (EP 2.1.6.2)
9. Use conceptual frameworks to guide assessment, intervention, and
evaluation (EP 2.1.7.1)
10. Critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment
(EP 2.1.7.2)
11. Substantively and effectively prepare for action with individuals
(EP 2.1.10.1)
12. Collect, organize, and interpret client data (EP 2.1.10.4)