SW 502, Section 5 Fall 2005, Tuesdays 8-11, Scott Weissman, CSW (734) 913-9548 [email protected] Organizational, Community, and Societal Structures and Processes Course Description This theory and research based course is designed to support the foundation practice method courses which are taken concurrently in the first semesters. The general focus of this course is to present the various processes, connections and consequences that institutional structures and arrangements have on the various communities and at-risk-populations that are served by the social work profession. Students will develop an understanding of key professional and theoretical foundations for practicing social work. This course will also introduce students to the curricular themes and PODS concepts (i.e. Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice) that are infused in the advanced practice areas. Course Content The course uses the central social work values of social justice, multiculturalism, empowerment to generate a framework for the critical examination of theoretical perspectives of organizational, community, and societal structures and processes. The key theoretical foundations that will be discussed include social ecology, structural theory, risk/resiliency perspective, theories of poverty, social change and social justice, theories of political economy, and organizational theory. In examining these theoretical foundations, students will explore the intersectionality of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, class, color, culture, ability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, and religion, and how this intersectionality plays out in discrimination, oppression, and privilege. Course Objectives Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: 1) Identify, describe, and critique selected theoretical perspectives on organizational, community, and societal structures and processes. 2) Describe and analyze: a) The impact that organizational structures and processes have on practice settings22b) How community and societal structures and processes impact the client groups served by social agencies 3) Describe how (PODS) privilege, oppression, diversity, and social justice are manifested in the structures and processes of society, communities, and complex organizations. 4) Analyze how the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation impact their own life experiences, their relationships with colleagues and supervisors, and their relationships with agency clientele and community groups. 5) Identify major processes and contemporary manifestations of oppression, discrimination, prejudice, power and privilege as they impact on populations-at-risk and vulnerable and oppressed groups by: a) describing barriers to organizational and community competence; b) identifying sources of intragroup and intergroup conflict stemming from cultural group membership; c) identifying the role of risk and protective social factors in relation to social problems and social/economic justice. 6) Apply professional values and ethics by: a) distinguishing differences among culturally sensitive, culturally competent, multicultural, and ethnoconscious frameworks in social work; b) critically evaluating organizations, community, and societal structures and processes that seek to promote social and economic justice.; Course Design Required readings will be selected by the instructor. Suggested references will be included for each session, along with a list of books related to this course. Selection of required readings, coursepack items, and texts will be made in coordination with instructors of the other HBSE foundation course instructors. Class room activities may include lectures, discussion, simulations, videos/films, group projects, case analyses, etc. Relationship of the Course to Four Curricular Themes: • Multiculturalism and Diversity will be addressed through presentation of theory and research about oppressed and at-risk populations, and the impact that community, organizational and societal functioning has on the well-being of these groups. • Social Justice and Social Change will be covered in the empirical and theoretical literature that document socially just organizational, community, and societal structures and processes. Social change theories and strategies will be presented that demonstrate how we move toward a more socially just society. • Promotion, Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation will be addressed through discussion of programs and systemic interventions to prevent stress and oppression of individuals, families, and groups and enhance their quality of life and well-being. The role of risk, resiliency, and preventive social factors will be discussed in relations to social problems.33• Behavioral and Social Sciences Research will be reflected in the organizational, community, and societal theories that are presented in order to analyze the impact that the social environment has on individuals, families and groups. Relationship of the Course to Social Work Ethics and Values: This course will address ethical and value issues related to working with organizations, communities, and societal structures and processes. The NASW Code of Ethics will be used to inform practice in this area. Examples of ethical and value related issues will include: the social worker’s responsibility to promote the general welfare of society by preventing and eliminating discrimination, ensuring equal access to resources, expanding choices and opportunities for all persons, encouraging respect for diversity, advocating for changes in social policies, and encouraging informed participation by the public. In addition, issues related to organizations will be covered, such as preventing discrimination in the work place, improving agency policies and procedures, and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations. Required Readings The following books are required texts for the course. They are available for purchase in Shaman Drum bookstore on State Street and are on reserve in the School library. You can also find used copies available from Amazon.com. • Barbara Ehrenreich (2001), Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting By in America, Metropolitan Books, Henry Holt and Co., New York. • Malcolm Gladwell (2002), The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Little Brown and Company, New