Fall 1999
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will focus on family centered approaches to practice which make use of subsystems within the family as resources for change as well as groups interventions. The family is defined as a variety of family forms, or intimate associations. Building on the beginning knowledge and skills in social work 501, the prirnary emphasis will be on the exam£ination of in-depth theories, models and strategies for change. Different interventive models will be examined in terms of their usefulness with various types of problems, in a variety of practice settings and with different kinds of families. Special attention will be placed on the adaption of family centered practice to the needs of families of diverse ethnic backgrounds and on gender issues and roles. The impact of separation and divorce and environmental factors such as unemployment, underemployment and poverty on families will be addressed. Some of the ethical dilemmas practitioners face in working with families will also be addressed.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student shall be able to:
1. Make use of the family unit, or subsystems of that
unit, as an arena and resource for change.
Method of Evaluation: Advance Case Analysis
2. Plan and implement with the family interventive strategies resulting in desired changes in the family interaction with its ecology. Method of Evaluation: Examination/Advance Case Analysis
3. Plan and implement with the family interventive strategies
resulting in desired changes in functioning of the inner family system,
the interactions of subsystems within the family, or individuals, and the
intergenerational system.
Method of Evaluation: Examination/Advance Case Analysis
4. Understand the nature of the family/worker relationship
and various ways of managing resistance.
Method of Evaluation: Examination/Class Discussions
5. Work through termination with the family and evaluate
the outcomes of the contact.
Method of Evaluation: Examination/Class Discussions
6. Develop an understanding of the changing Arnerican
family and a sensitivity to diversity and differences:
Method of Evaluation: Examination/Advance Case Analysis/Class
Discussions
7 Discuss the issues surrounding the values and ethical
dilenrmas when worhng with families
Method of Evaluation: Examination/Advance Case Analysis/Class
Discussions
TEXTS
Helton, Lonnie R. and Maggie Jackson. Social Work Practice with Families: A Diversity Model. (1997) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Kilpatrick, Allie C. and Thomas P. Holland. Working with Families: An Integrative Model by Level of Need. 2nd Edition (1999) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Mason, Mary A., Arlene Skolnick, and Stephen D. Sugarman. All Our Families. (1998) New York: Oxford University Press.
Petr, Christopher G. Social Work with Children and their Families. (1998) New York: Oxford University Press.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Atwood, I.D. (1992) Family Therapy: A systemic/Behavioral Approach. Chicago: nelson-Hall Publishers.
Boyd-Franklin N. (1989) Black Families in Therapy. New York: Guilford Press.
Brown, Venessa (1997) "From One Hand to Another: The Story of a Sexually Abused Child's Strength and Courage". CA: Reflections: A Journal for the Helping Profession.
Freeman, D.S. (1992) Multigenerational Family Therapy. New York: The Hawworth Press.
Hall (1994) New Families. Haworth Press
Kissman, K. & Allen, J. (1993) Single Parent Families. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publication.
Staples, R. (1994) (5th ed) The Black Family: Essays and Studies. Belrnong, CA: International Thomson Publishers.
Walters, M., et al. (1989) "The l:nvisible Web: Gender patterns in Farnily Relationship". New York: Guilford Press.
Grades will be based on the following:
| 1. Advance Case Analysis (Midterm) | 25% |
| 2. Research Paper (APA Style mandatory) | 50% |
| 3. Exarnination | 25% |
Calender (Class Schedule)
| Week One (August 23rd) | Introduction to Course, Review Syllabus, Ice Breakers | |
| Introduction to Families: What are the changing issues for Children and Families in the practice Arena? Overview of Family Centered Practice | ||
| Readings: | Petr chapters 1, 2, 3 | |
| Mason et al, chapter 1,
Helton and Jackson, chapters 1, 2, 3 |
||
| Week Two (August 30th) | Lecture and discussion | |
| Theoretical Frameworks and Contextual Issues: An overview of Theories for working with families (Strengths perspective, Least Restrictive, Ecological Perspective) | ||
| Readings: | Kilpatrick and Holland, chapters 1-4 | |
| Petr, chapters 4, 5, 6 | ||
| Week Three (September 6th) No class Labor Day, Read Ahead or Catch Up | ||
| Week Four (Sept. 13th) | Lecture/Discussion and Give Out Case Analysis | |
| Beginning Intervention with families: Understanding Basic Survival issues | ||
| Readings: | Kilpatrick and Holland, chapters 5,6 | |
| Helton and Jackson, chapter 7 | ||
| Week Five (Sept. 20th) | Research Paper Outline Due (Should include Topic) | |
| Advance Social Work Practice with Children and Families in Child Welfare Settings | ||
| Readings: | Petr, chapters 7, 8, 9 | |
| Mason, chapters 4, 10
Helton and Jackson, chapter 8 |
||
| Week Six (Sept. 27th) | Lecture and Discussion | |
| Advance Social work practice with Children and Families in Mental Health Settings | ||
| Readings: | Petr, chapters 10, 11, 12 | |
| Week Seven (Oct. 4th) | Lecture and Discussions | |
| Social Work Practice with Families around Structure, Limits and Safety Issues: Second Level of Family Needs | ||
| Readings: | Kilpatrick and Holland, chapters 7, 8 | |
| Mason et al., chapter 7, 9 | ||
| Week Eight (Oct. 11th) | Midterm Due (Advance Case Analysis) | |
| Diversity and Social Work Practice with Children and Families: Problem-Focused Issues A look at Children and Families in South Africa: What are the issues? | ||
| Readings: | Mason et al., chapters 5, 6 | |
| Kilpatrick and Holland, chapters 9, 10
Helton and Jackson, chapter 6 |
||
| Week Nine (Oct. 18 th) | Lecture and Discussion | |
| Advance Social Work Practice with Families around Personal Growth Issues and Relationship with their Community | ||
| Readings: | Kilpatrick and Holland, chapters 11, 12, 13 | |
| Week Ten (Oct. 25th) | Review for Examination/Open Discussion/Movie | |
| Week Eleven (Nov. 1st) | Examination | |
| Week Twelve (Nov. 8th) | Research Paper Presentations | |
| Week Thirteen (Nov. 15th) | Research Paper Presentations | |
| Week Fourteen (Nov. 22nd) | Fall Break and Happy Thanksgiving! | |
| Week Fifteen (Nov. 29th) | Research Paper Presentations | |
| Week Sixteen (Dec. 6th) | Research Paper Presentations | |
Research Papers Due (For each day that your paper is late subtract 10 points, please do not ask me to waiver the points for any reason other than hospitalization or death) If you think your paper might be late, turn it in early.
Week Seventeen (Dec. 13 th ) Final Exam Week
Note: The class schedule is subject to modification throughout the
semester. You will be notified
by the Professor when and if such changes do take place.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!