SOWK 710: Foundation of Social Work Practice in Groups

Course Syllabus

I. Purpose/Rationale of the Course

Social work within groups is an intervention method well practiced by the social work profession. Knowledge regarding this methodology, therefore, is essential in the education of social work professionals. Group intervention has assisted the social work profession in  influencing, initiating and maintaining effective interpersonal changes as well as social transformations. This course will present a basic body of knowledge to assist students in their understanding of this approach; content regarding interpersonal, organizational, and community transactions will be presented throughout this course.  

The fundamental objective of this course is to introduce foundation year students to issues common to groups at the interpersonal, organizational, and community levels, group dynamics, and the stages of group development.  This course will prepare students for advanced information pertaining to groups in their advanced year of course work. In addition, information will be presented regarding intervention at a variety of levels.  Emphasis will be given to group intervention with vulnerable and diverse populations.

II. Course Content

This course will serve as an introduction to social work practice in groups at the interpersonal, organizational, and community levels, examining the role of the social worker in facilitating group process.  Content areas will include such topics as group dynamics, stages of group development, group formulation, assessment, diversity issues, leadership skills, planning, and documentation, and evaluation.  This course also looks at specific types of groups at each of the aforementioned levels.  At the interpersonal level, support, self-help, and psychoeducational groups are addressed.  Groups at the organizational level include interdisciplinary and treatment teams and task groups, such as boards and committees.  Intervention at the community level will include discussions of social action groups and coalitions.  Strengths and limitations of groups at each level of intervention will be discussed. 

III.  Course Objectives

 Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1)      Describe the strengths and limitations of group interventions for diverse client populations, social issues (particularly social and economic injustice), and organizational situations.

2)      Apply theoretical concepts to assess developmental phase, communication and interaction patterns, cohesion, social control, group culture, leadership and power dynamics, in treatment and task groups.

3)      Plan treatment and task groups, including group purpose, obtaining sponsorship, recruiting members, composition, orientation, contracting, preparing the environment, documentation, evaluation methods, and leadership tasks associated with each developmental phase. 

4)      Develop group intervention plans which reflect consideration of the strengths, needs, and values of individual members (particularly those from populations at risk – e.g., women, people of color, people who are lesbian/gay/bisexual, people who live in rural settings, etc.), the group as a whole, and the environment. 

5)      Differentially select from and apply a range of leadership skills to facilitate the work of task and treatment groups at different stages of group development. 

6)      Identify potential values conflicts and ethical dilemmas which may arise in practice with treatment and task groups, and suggest responses which are consistent with social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics.

IV.              Linkages To Other Courses

This foundation year course integrates HBSE and practice content, as students learn to understand human behavior in groups as influenced by other system levels, and to intervene with individual members, the group as a whole, and the environment. Students draw upon their knowledge of practice with individuals and families, as well as organizations and communities, developed during the preceding semester, in order to understand concepts involved practice with various kinds of treatment and task groups. 

Concurrent courses in social work research (791 & 792) introduce concepts which will be utilized in planning for evaluation of practice with groups.

This course establishes a foundation for the advanced course in practice with groups (724) for students whose concentration is in social work practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups, and for the advanced course in social planning (733) for students whose concentration is in social work practice with organizations and communities.

V. Methods Of Instruction 

Course objectives will be pursued through group discussion, group exercises, individual and group projects, reading, and writing assignments and lectures.

Any student who because of a disability may need special arrangements or accommodations to meet the requirements of this course should consult with the instructor as soon as possible.  The office of Disability Services provides an array of services to meet the needs of students with disabilities, according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. See information and guidelines provided in The Carolina Community: Student Handbook and Policy Guide.