SocW 512 MACRO SEQUENCE I: Organization, Community and Policy Practice

Winter 2008:

• Scott Winn Section E*
• Scott Winn Section F*
• Eric Lock (Sections B & C)*

Course Description:

This is the first of a two-quarter course sequence that prepares students for entry-level generalist practice with organizations, communities and policy structures. Using a social systems perspective, these institutions are viewed as both tools and targets for change efforts. The sequence emphasizes multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice in relation to social systems. Through the integration of theoretical and practice content on cultural diversity and human behavior in the social environment, students develop foundational skills in assessment, intervention and evaluation at the macro level.

Course Value Frame and Conceptualization:

Macro Practice is designed to bring about planned change in organizations, communities and the policy environment, engaging the practitioner in organizational, community and policy areas (Netting, Kettner, & McMurtry, 1998). This course employs an empowerment perspective that serves to increase personal and collective political power through collective interventions, and the principles of evidence-based practice to guide the analysis of social problems and the development of organizational, community, and policy solutions.

Learning Objectives for SW 512 and 513:

By the end of the two quarter sequence you should be able to:

1. critically analyze the effects of power, inequality, and diversity on organizational, community, and policy practice; with particular attention to implications for vulnerable, oppressed, and disenfranchised populations;
2. utilize problem solving skills at the organizational, community, and policy levels, including: problem definition, information gathering, identifying alternative options, values and goal clarification, evaluation of alternatives, and development and implementation of action plans;
3. identify the influence of particular social, economic, political and cultural factors and assumptions as these affect the definition of social problems and their solutions;
4. critically understand the various processes of social policy development, including legislative, administrative and judicial roles, and their implications for informing and influencing the policy environment;
5. apply intervention skills at the group, organization, community, and policy levels, including: advocacy, community organizing, coalition building and networking; facilitation and mediation, social action, media and marketing, with particular attention to collaborating with disenfranchised populations in the quest for social justice;
6. utilize a critically reflective perspective when working through existing value frames that demonstrates an understanding of the relational nature of power, its multiple sources, the resultant dynamics of oppression and privilege and ethical dilemmas present at each stage of the change process, as well as assessing your own value stance with regard to an issue or change effort;
7. critically understand and apply relevant theories and frameworks to groups, communities and organizations and their implications for social justice and social change;.
8. understand the importance of evaluation and monitoring any change initiative and have basic skills to follow progress and create mechanisms to inform ongoing change strategies;
9. understand how worker and client diversity, organizational culture, structure and governance, service delivery processes and policies impact services and benefits for populations at risk.

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