Social Work Methods With Individuals and Families

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

SWK 411 is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for undergraduate level of generalist social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. Students learn knowledge and skills related to engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes with individuals, families, and groups from a cross-cultural communication perspective. In terms of intervention, the following theories and models are taught empowerment strengths-based model (including problem-solving), case management, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention. Students also learn a trauma-informed perspective related to generalist practice. Ethics and values related to direct practice with individuals, families, and groups of diverse backgrounds is also addressed. Students are expected to develop self-awareness, reflect on their practice, manage personal values and maintain their professionalism. Critical thinking skills related to assessment, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes are emphasized.

Student Learning Goals | Assessments

• Students compare their personal values and ethics and those of the social work profession to identify possible areas of conflict and inform their management of ethical dilemmas. (K, V, C/AP) | Reflection Paper on Ethical Social Work Practice (EM)
• Students use the NASW Code of Ethics and at least one model of ethical decision making to guide their professional practice. (K, S, CP, V) | Reflection Paper on Ethical Social Work Practice
• Students use supervision to guide professional judgement and practice. (S, C/AP) | Intervention and Evaluation Paper
• Students recognize that people are experts on their own lives and describe how diversity and differences shape the life experience of their clients. (K, V, CP) | Engagement and Assessment Paper Intervention and Evaluation Paper
• Students use self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of their personal biases and values when working with diverse clients. (AP, V, S) | Reflection Paper on Ethical Social Work Practice
• Students will research appropriate intervention approaches for a particular case to guide their choice of interventions and provide a research-informed rationale for their choice. | Intervention and Evaluation Paper
• Students apply knowledge of social policy to critically assess the impact of policy and policy change on individuals, families, and/or groups with which they may be working (K, CP). | Engagement and Assessment Paper Intervention and Evaluation Paper
• Students use the empowerment strengths-based and person-in-environment models to engage with individuals and families. (K, S) | Engagement and Assessment Paper
• Students use effective interpersonal skills to engage with people of different backgrounds and cultures and recognize cultural strengths. (S) | Engagement and Assessment Paper
• Students will conduct a multidimensional assessment including level of functioning, needs, strengths, and safety and critically analyze the information to develop mutually agreed-upon goals in work with individuals and families. (K, S, CP) | Engagement and Assessment Paper
• Students will select and implement an intervention approach with a client system to achieve agreed-upon goals, including use of advocacy and community resources, as appropriate. (S) | Intervention and Evaluation Paper
• Students will design a plan to evaluate practice outcomes. (K, S) | Intervention and Evaluation Paper

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Attendance/In Class Participation	15%
Weekly Open-Book Quizzes	20%
Paper #1 - Ethical and Reflective Social Work Practice	15%
Paper #2 - Psychosocial Assessment/Social History Paper	15%
Paper #3 - Engage, Assess, & Intervention Goals Paper	15%
Paper #4 - Intervention and Evaluation Paper	20%

Attendance/Participation:

Students are allowed two excused absences for any reason (i.e. illness, emergencies, etc). After the two excused absences are used, additional absences will impact on the student’s final grade in the following way:

1st & 2nd absence | No points deducted

3rd absence | 5 points deducted and/or being administratively withdrawn from the course

4th absence & each additional absence | 10 points deducted (equivalent to a decrease in letter grade); and/or being administratively withdrawn from the course

Students who miss three or more days may be administratively withdrawn by the BSW Faculty from the course.  Be aware, this means that the above points will be deducted from your final total grade, therefore, absences can have a profound impact on your final grade in this course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Miley, K.K., O’Melia, M., & DuBois, B. (2022). Generalist social work practice: An empowering approach (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon (Pearson).