SW 503 Theory and Practice of Social Work II: Groups, Organizations and Communities

This course introduces the student to the foundational problem-solving approach to clinical social work practice through engagement, assessment, intervention, and termination with groups, organizations and communities. Students will critically examine the main theories that inform direct practice. Ethical decision making, incorporation of social work values, and multicultural competence will be stressed. The course will support students in establishing methods of empathic communication, development of goals that target client concerns, evaluation of systems and group dynamics, and implementation of effective change-oriented strategies. Prerequisite: SW 500 and SW 502; Prerequisite or corequisite: SW 501. (3)