UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA - RENO SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
BSW PROGRAM
Course Number and Title SW 427 – Social Work Methods with Organizations, Communities and Legislatures
Instructor
Contact Information Office Hours
Credits 3
Prerequisite Admission to the Professional Sequence
COURSE DESCRIPTION
SW 427 is one of a four-course sequence that emphasizes the competent application of skills, knowledge and values to social work practice. This course focuses on developing competency in working with organizations, communities and legislative bodies. This course furthers the understanding of the strengths-based, generalist social work perspective. In this course
students will learn public speaking, elements of grant writing, budgeting, advocacy, lobbying and written and oral persuasion techniques as methods of assessing and responding to community and organizational issues. Students will learn to attend to the cultural, ideological, and diverse nuances present in large groups of people and within complex problems while maintaining a critically reflexive position in relation to their own culture, privilege, ideology, personal values, and biases. Students will be asked to use critical thinking skills to identify and implement interventions with organizations and communities that are evidenced-informed, as well as contextually and culturally relevant.
COURSE LINKAGES
This course is designed to build upon the knowledge, values and skills you acquired in SW 250-Social Welfare history and Policy and SW 321—Basics of Professional Communication. It is designed to provide you with beginning knowledge, values, and skills needed to work with organizations, communities and legislative bodies. This course also draws upon the knowledge you have gained in previous theory courses (e.g., SW 310 HBSE I, SW 311 HBSE II,
Psychology 101, and so forth). Ultimately, it fosters your development as a generalist
practitioner who utilizes a variety of social work theories and approaches in working with macro client systems.
Relevant BSW Program Competencies
In accordance with the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 2008 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), the program prepares BSW students who:
•
Identify themselves as professional social workers and conduct themselves accordingly (2.1.1)•
Apply social work ethical principles to guide their professional practice (2.1.2)•
Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments (2.1.3)•
Engage diversity and difference in practice (2.1.4)•
Advance human rights and social and economic justice (2.1.5)•
Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research (2.1.6)•
Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment (2.1.7)•
Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services (2.1.8)•
Respond to contexts that shape practice (2.1.9)•
Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate their interactions with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities (2.1.10)Course Objectives / Educational Outcomes:
Upon successfully completing this course, the student will be able to:
427.1 Examine the effects of personal biases and judgments on professional interactions 427.2 Maintain healthy professional boundaries in all professional interactions
427.3 Engage in continuous self-reflection and professional-improvement
427.4 Apply models of ethical reasoning to explore complex ethical dilemmas in policy and administrative practice
427.5 Application of evidence-based information and logic to persuade others in relation to policy positions
427.6 Critically analyze policies and programs using various analytic frameworks
427.7 Apply the principles of cultural humility to build rapport, conduct thorough assessments and cultural-appropriate interventions with diverse client groups
427.8 Analyze issues of access, equality, and equity within social service policies, programs and procedures
427.9 Identify theoretical and ideological assumptions influencing policies and organizational practices.
427.10 Analyze the influence of organizational culture and policy on service delivery
427.11 Effectively uses basic communication skills and group facilitation skills to build rapport among organizational and community members
427.12 Uses empirical data to identify organizational and community needs 427.13 Prepare line-item budget in support of a grant proposal
427.14 Identifies fundraising strategies relevant to agency needs and mission
427.15 Identify strategies involved in lobbying elected officials, including preparing fact sheets, and legislative testimony as well as bill tracking
427.16 Analyze how social change movements have been critically important to the construction of social welfare policies and programs
427.17 Identify examples of positive community organizing efforts including the participation (and sometimes non-participation) of social workers in them
427.18 Utilize community organizing skills to effect community change, including: a)
identification of local grassroots organizing efforts, b) communication with community members about social issues, c) articulation of community concerns to legislative bodies, councils, boards, and d) understanding of how leadership is built in grassroots organizing efforts.
Course Policies
• Class Attendance and Participation: As much of the learning in this class is dependent upon class member contributions, you will be expected to come prepared and ready to actively participate in every class meeting. Active participation will include: involvement in class activities and discussions, timeliness to class, and collegial conduct.
Students who miss 2 class sessions will lose 10 points. Students who miss 3 class sessions will lose 15 points. Those students who miss 4 or more class sessions will receive a grade of “F” for the course.
• Disabilities: Students who have documented disabilities that may affect their learning or performance in this class should contact the UNR Disability Services Office (Thompson Student Services Building, room 101). The instructor will make all those accommodations that are requested in writing by the aforementioned office.
• Academic Success Services: Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or www.unr.edu/tutoring/), and University Writing Center (784-6030 or www.unr.edu/writing_center). These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student. • Academic Dishonesty: “Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false
pretenses" constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment. For more details, see the UNR General Catalog.
• Audio or Video Recordings: Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may have been given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.
Instructional Methods
This course will implement a variety of collaborative learning techniques. Some of these techniques may include: lecture, class discussion, small group activities, role plays, fishbowl activities, speakers, and videos.
Required Readings
You will be expected to have completed all assigned readings prior to the class session. Assigned readings can be found in the Course Calendar.
Required Textbooks:
• Hayness, K.S. & Mickelson, J.S. (2010). Affecting change: Social workers in the political arena. Boston, MA:Pearson.
• Bobo, Kim, Kendall, Jackie, and Max , Steve. (2010). Organizing for social change: Midwest academy manual for activities. (4th Ed.) The Forum Press. • Course reserves available through The Knowledge Center’s Electronic Reserves Assignments:
Weekly Classroom Discussions on Reading Materials:
Each week the class will be randomly divided into groups to discuss the reading materials with instructor prepared questions. Each student is expected to participate in the discussion. Your notes from your group discussion will be handed in.
Community Articles:
Bring an article to class each week about a community, legislative, grassroots organization, coalition, board etc.
Lobbying Project:
As part of your practice in working with legislative bodies, you will engage in a lobbying project. In this lobbying project, you will identify a minimum of one bill to follow at either the state or federal level.
You will examine the positions of the sponsors of the bill, supporters, affected groups and opponents of the bill.
You will then assume a position in relation to the bill and prepare a fact sheet using empirical data gathered from trusted databases.
You will outline a lobbying strategy that identifies pertinent legislative committees and the most relevant representatives to target for lobbying and methods to be used in influencing these decisions makers.
You will either attend a hearing at the Legislature for your bill or at minimum listen to an online hearing.
Finally, you will prepare an example of written testimony as well as a script to be used in meeting with representatives.
Attend a Board or Coalition Meeting:
Attend a Washoe County School Board, Neighborhood Advisory Board, City Council, Board of County Commissioners, or Board of Directors Meeting. Write a brief paper focusing on issues discussed and impact on our community. Also include group dynamics, roles of group
members, outcomes, and suggestions for improving group. Neighborhood Assessment Oral Presentation:
Students will be divided into several groups and assigned a specific area within the
Reno/Sparks area. Look at 1) the demographics of the community, b) the issues and concerns of community members, and c) the availability of services including social services, health, transportation, housing, and education. The groups will be responsible for assessing the selected neighborhood, and presenting the material in a visual manner (poster presentation, power point, etc.) to the class. Handouts will be passed out to enhance this assignment.
Grant Proposal:
For the final project in this class, each group of four students (randomly chosen) will complete a grant proposal, including a logic model, budget, etc. Additional details about this project will be handed out the first day of class.
A total of 100 points can be earned in SW427as follows:
Papers will be graded on evidence of thoughtful, critical thinking, completeness, and written
expression (grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity). Assignments are due on the day that they
are due. Timely completion of assignments is important. Late assignments will be penalized by
a half a grade per day, unless the instructor approves alternative arrangements in advance.
Grading• Grading: Grades will be awarded based upon your performance on the aforementioned course requirements.
Lobbying Project 20 points
Attend a Board or Coalition Meeting 10 points
Grant Proposal 35 points
Classroom Discussion Groups 10 points End of Semester
Community Articles 5 points Weekly
Neighborhood Assessment Oral Presentation 20 points Final The following scale will be used to determine letter grades:
95 -100 A 94 - 90 A- 89 - 87 B+ 86 - 83 B 82 - 80 B- 77 - 79 C+ 76 - 73 C 72 - 70 C- 69 - 67 D+ 66 - 64 D 63 - 60 D- 59 or below F
Extra Credit (2 points per event) may be obtained by participating in community type events.
Attending and reporting on a Grass Roots Lobby Days
Attending and reporting additional hearings/events at the Nevada Legislature. Visiting and reporting on a grassroots community organization
Sample Course Calendar
Week Topic Readings and Assignments
Week One 1-25-13
Course Overview and Introductions
State of the State Speech by Governor Sandoval.
Progressive State of the Union Speech by Former Senator Sheila Leslie
Week Two 2-1-13
The Hatch Act, Public Meeting Laws
Possible Speaker – Stacy Shinn from PLAN
Hayes & Mickelson, chapters 1, 2, and 6
Reserves: U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Week Three 2-8-13
Bill Tracking and Legal Research Review BDRs of Interest at
www.
leg
.state.
nv
.us
Week Four2-15-13
Policy Analysis State of the Union Address – President Barack Obama Hayes & Mickelson, chapter 5 Gilbert, N. & Terrell, P. (2010). Dimensions of social welfare policy. Boston, MA:Pearson. (Chapter 3)
Week Five 2-22-13
Influencing Legislative Decision Makers – Testimony, Visits, and Written Methods
Presentation on Lobbying by Fused – Tentative Date
Hayes & Mickelson, chapter 7, 9, 10
Week Six 3/1/13
Program Development and the Logic Model
Reserves: Kettner, Moroney & Martin, Chapters 1 and 8 Week Seven
3/8/13
Grant Budgeting Reserves: Kettner, Moroney, & Martin, Chapters 12 & 13 Lobbying Project Due Week Eight
3/15/13
Grant Writing Gitlin, L.N. & Lyons, K.J. (2008). Successful grant writing:
Strategies for health and human service professionals (3rd Ed.)New York, NY: Springer Publishing. (Chapters 1, 2, and 5)
Week Nine
Spring Break 3/22/13
No Class Have a Great Week Off!
Week Ten 3/29/13
Committees, Boards and Task Forces
Selected Articles
Bobo, Kendall, Max, Chapter 18 Robertsrules.org – Summary Version-online
Week Eleven 4/5/13
Models of Political Advocacy Haynes & Mickelson, Chapter 5 Week Twelve
4/12/13
Coalition Building Haynes & Mickelson, Chapter 8 Bobo, Kendall, Max, Chapter 9 Selected Articles
Week Thirteen 4/19/13
All School Day 9:00 – 3:30 National Judicial College-Room 103
Attend All School Day
Week Fourteen 4/26/13
Community Asset Mapping Green, G.P. & Haines, A. (2008). Asset building and community development (2nd Ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, (Chapter 1)
Handouts in Class
Bobo, Kendall, Max, Chapters 2-8, 10.
Grant Application Due Week Fifteen
5/3
Community Organizing Bobo, Kendall, Max, Chapters 11 -17,19.
Week Fifteen 5/3/13
Community Organizing Bobo, Kendall, Max, Chapters 20-27.
Attend a Policy Meeting Paper Due
