SW Z525 - Advanced SW Prac w/Communities

Credits: 3

This course is designed to equip students with a broad range of the interactional, analytical, decision-making, and political skills needed to assist communities and community organizations and to serve as change agents who assist in the development of social and economic resources. The technical and practical elements of planning, organizing, and development work, as well as social advocacy, will be explored with emphasis on the values of democratic, participatory models and methods that facilitate individual and group empowerment. Assessment of major social problems and how such assessment influences the choice of intervention strategies will also be explored. This course will further develop the theories, methods, and skills of community practice and grant writing. Using the strengths perspective, this course will focus on the abilities of communities and their members to be active participants and to have an impact on their environment. This course will assist students in the knowledge and skill development needed to effectively advocate with and on behalf of different human service communities. The need for cultural competence is also emphasized. Throughout this course, emphasis will be placed on the following core themes: the strengths of communities to create productive exchange and achieve client system goals; community advocacy skills that promote opportunities for oppressed, stigmatized, and marginalized populations to access and successfully negotiate needed environmental resources; and skills that demonstrate respect, sensitivity, and appreciation for diverse populations and their contributions to societal well-being. Students will also study and think about such issues as: social movements, both national and international; theories that undergird social change and social movements; use of media and advocacy skills to recruit and organize community members for social change aims; grant writing as a vehicle for promoting equitable access to resources; and the use of community-based and ?embedded methods of evaluation. Prerequisites: foundation courses. Offered: spring only.