SW 522 - Adv Sw Prac/Organizations

Credits: 3

“This course will explore the application of fundamental social work skills to practice within social service organizations as well as the concept of excellence in social administration, leadership, and management. A number of conceptual frameworks are explored to understand the role of professional social workers in organizational settings that provide human services. Organizational theories of administration will be presented as a framework for examining administrative practice in human services organizations and other host settings in which social workers are employed. The role and practice of supervision within the profession will also be explored within organizational contexts. Social workers have an ethical obligation to strive to make social institutions more humane and responsive to human needs. This course will examine the organizational policies, processes, structures, and roles that translate social policies into goals, service strategies, and case decisions. Issues to be considered throughout the semester include the infusion of the strengths- perspective in leadership and management, how issues of social and economic justice relate to organizational functioning, and the creation of client-centered organizations that recognize and attend to the needs of the clients who are impacted by oppression based on their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other aspects of their identity or circumstance. We will also consider major federal and state policy changes that are currently impacting human service organizations at the local level. Prerequisites: foundation courses. Offered: fall only. “