SWK 255Interview & Document Soc Wrk

Catalog

The interview is an integral part of social work practice. In fact, it can be seen as a cornerstone of social work practice. As opposed to a conversation, the interview is purposeful, directed, evaluative, and even therapeutic. This course is designed to teach basic interviewing techniques, including the self-assessment necessary to listen effectively. The course will also address issues in cross-cultural interviewing and in specific problematic interview situations. We will emphasize the development of skills through role-playing and practice. Course content is sensitive to human diversity, specifically including materials on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical challenges, spirituality, and socioeconomic factors as they affect human behavior and life span development. Students are required to utilize this material as a background for assessing strengths, limitations, risk, resilience, and protective factors that affect clients' social functioning.