SW Z522 - Adv Sw Prac/Organizations

Credits: 3

This course emphasizes essential social work skills applied in social service organizations, with a focus on excellence in social administration, leadership, and management. Students will explore various conceptual frameworks, including strengths-based leadership, feminist perspective, and socio-economic justice, to understand the roles of professional social workers in these organizations. Organizational theories of administration, leadership, supervision, and practice principles will be examined to analyze current administrative practices in social service organizations and related settings employing social workers. Additionally, the course will cover aspects related to organizational policies, processes, structures, and roles in translating social policies into goals, service strategies, and case decisions. Throughout this course, students will explore a diverse range of social service organizations and examine their operations, challenges, and sustainability concerns. Topics covered will include funding, staffing, and navigating geopolitical complexities. Students will gain valuable insights into performing specific functions within organizations and tackling complex structural issues. These may involve understanding the changing role of social service organizations both as a new leader as well as how your leadership style can impact outside influences (e.g., security, contractors, privatization of aid, civilian military relations) on human service organizations. Additionally, students will learn about effectively handling divisions and conflicts within and between social service organizations. Social workers have an ethical obligation to establish person-centered organizations that address the client?s needs through anti-oppressive and social justice practices based on various aspects of their identity or circumstance, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability. By fulfilling this responsibility, social workers contribute to the development of more humane and responsive social institutions that prioritize human needs. Throughout the course, culture, ethics, and rights will be focal points, underscoring their importance in shaping the mission, roles, and outcomes of human service organizations. Prerequisites: Foundation courses. Offered: fall only.