SOCW-230 Social Work Practice With Groups

Credits 3 / 3 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Placement into RDNG-030 (ACSR-030), completion of ELAP-110 with a minimum grade of 2.0, or successful completion of RDNG-016 or ACLT-074 with a minimum grade of 3.0; Pre-requisite: SOCW 134 with a minumum grade of 2.0.
Students will be introduced to the basic techniques of group dynamics as used in the treatment modalities of the mental health fields, education and social work fields. Students will design a group and lead a group during the semester.

Course Outcomes
1. Demonstrate an understanding of group work and practice related to strengths, capacities and resources of individuals within groups 2. Demonstrate leadership skills with groups in order to help alleviate critical social problems and enhance group well-being 3. Demonstrate skills in identifying group member’s issues, problems, needs, resources, and assets within a framework of group processes, dynamics, and developmental stages 4. Apply basic concepts of task-oriented group work, including recruiting and selecting members, leadership, group decision-making and problem solving, running an effective meetings and evaluation of group tasks 5. Apply basic concepts of treatment groups, including group formation, facilitation and termination (assessment, intervention and evaluation) 6. Demonstrate skills in identifying, analyzing and implementing empirically-based group interventions and evaluating group effectiveness 7. Demonstrate tools and techniques for understanding, affirming and respective group members from diverse backgrounds, distinguished by characteristics including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, age and national origin 8. Explain what is involved in making real-life ethical choices, establishing a professional self, applying social work values and utilizing the ethical decision making process, as illuminated by the NASW Code of Ethics to social work groups 9. Demonstrate an understanding of the pursuit of social and economic justice including group/community strategies to combat discrimination, oppression, and economic deprivation for individuals and families