SW Z522Adv Sw Prac/Organizations

Catalog

This course will examine the organizational policies, processes, structures, and roles that translate social policies into goals, services strategies, and case decisions. A number of conceptual frameworks are explored for understanding the role of professional social workers in organizational settings that provide human services. Organizational theories of administration will be presented as a framework for examining administrative practices in human service organizations and other host settings in which social workers are employed. The role and practice of supervision within the profession will also be explored within various organizational contexts. Social workers have an ethical obligation to strive to make social institutions more humane and responsive to human needs. This course will explore the application of fundamental social work skills to practice within social service organizations as well as the concept of excellence in social administration, leadership, and management. Issues to be considered throughout the semester include the infusion of the strengths perspective in leadership and management, how issues of social and economic justice relate to organizational functioning, and the creation of client centered organizations that recognize and attend to the needs of clients who are dealing with oppression based on their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Theories of leadership and supervision and practice principles will be covered in this course as well as the ethical and legal issues faced by social work supervisors. Consideration will also be given to alternative methods of leadership management including stewardship and feminist perspectives.