SW 421B SW Practice
SW421B: Social Work Practice (required) The second semester of this yearlong course will carry forward the ecosystems perspective from the first semester and will introduce students to four main practice theories: psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, narrative, and solution-focused. Within each framework, we will examine core principles and begin to explore implications for each phase of the helping process: engagement, assessment, planning, evaluation, and termination. Drawing upon these theoretical frameworks as an organizing framework for thinking about generalist social work practice, the course proceeds to explore work with individuals, families, and communities in various contexts and circumstances. Students will deepen their assessment skills and their intervention skills at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. An emphasis will be placed on collaborative consultation of student case presentations as one way of conceptualizing the work and thinking from multiple perspectives about intervention strategies. We will explore the use of evidence-based (or informed) practice. Ways of evaluating practice and using the professional literature as an aid to practice choices will also be discussed. Prerequisite SW421A. Two consecutive semesters of SW421 are required: SW421A and SW421B. Students must register for the same section each semester.