SOCW 201 - Social Work Processes

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course assists students in becoming competent and effective social work interviewers by teaching them specific skills. In this course, students will learn and practice the full range of communication skills necessary for beginning social work practice and use in systems of all sizes. This course addresses the purposes of communication, the principles of effective communication, and the role of the social worker in effective communication. 

Prerequisite SOCW 101 and 102

Cummins, Linda K., Judith A. Sevel, and Laura E. Pedrick. Social Work Skills for Beginning Direct Practice. 3rd ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012. Print. 

Objectives
The student will be able to: 

A. Describe general concepts of communication, interviewing and assessment. 

B. Analyze the potential impact of self on the interview process. 

C. Describe the importance of contextual factors in interviewing and assessment. 

D. Apply general concepts of communication and interviewing to generalist social work practice.  

E. Demonstrate effective communication in helping relationships. 

F. Recognize matters of diversity in the practice of social work interviewing and assessment.  

G. Apply concepts of the systems theory to the interview situation as well as the assessment of the presenting problem. 

H. Apply professional social work values and ethics to client interviewing and assessment procedures.

Content
A. Communications theory 

B. Social worker self-awareness 

C. Practice context

D. Interviewing and assessment skills  

E. Communication skills 

F. Human diversity 

G. Social systems theory 

H. Social work values and ethics

 

Student Evaluation
Student evaluation will be based on exams, written projects, role-play activities, service learning requirements, and class participation. 

Bibliography
Burley-Allen, Madelyn. Listening: The Forgotten Skill. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995. Print. 

Diller, Jerry V. Cultural Diversity: A Primer for the Human Services. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2007. Print. 

Hays, Pamela A. Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2008. Print. 

Knapp, Herschel. Therapeutic Communication: Developing Professional Skills. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007. Print. 

Petersen, Jim. Why Don’t We Listen Better?: Communicating & Connecting in Relationships. Tigard, OR: Petersen Publications, 2007. Print. 

Summers, Nancy. Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2012. Print. 

Thomlison, Barbara. Family Assessment Handbook: An Introduction and Practical Guide to Family Assessment. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2010. Print.