Social Work in Community

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE
Course titleSocial Work in Community
Chair of Labour and Social Security Law Sciences and Social Work
Number of ECTS credits7
Lecturerizv.prof.dr.sc. Carmen Luca Sugawara
Office AddressRadićeva 13
Telephone
e-mailclucasug@iupui.edu
Lecturerdoc.dr.sc. Dinka Caha
Office AddressRadićeva 13 Rektorat, prizemlje
Telephone+385 31 224 550
e-maildinka.caha@pravos.hr
Associate Robet Kresić
Office AddressRadićeva 13
Telephone
e-mailrkresic23@pravos.hr
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course content

In this course, students will develop community practice skills recognizing the unique roles of groups and organizations within community settings along with the significant political and policy contexts. Students will learn different approaches to community interventions, the key pillars of community practice (understanding power, resources, interests and needs); and explore differential assessments and interventions within communities that address diverse populations and correlating social issues. These populations include, but are not limited to, age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Practice content will cover strategies for achieving social, economic, environmental justice and combating the causes and effects of institutionalized forms of oppression with a focus on cultural humility at all levels of intervention. This course will also utilize a variety of community development frameworks and models of management and organization to advance practical skill building with an emphasis on social work values and ethics. Students will accomplish the learning objectives in this course through a variety of classroom tools including lectures, videos, small and large group discussions, group projects, written assignments and/or student presentations. The key evaluation of student learning will be completed through a course-long small group project exploring the interface of organizations and community through a Community Needs Assessment. This will involve elements of participatory action research and grasp of fundamental research skills.

Course learning outcomes

Apply advanced theoretical concepts, methods, approaches, and examples of community practice and advocacy., Demonstrate advanced skills in community intervention including, community enrichment, social action, inter-agency collaboration, and coalition building., Demonstrate the ability to analyze power and influence within the political arena and determine the means to maximize support to address opposition and promote positive change., Evaluate a community issue(s), including the strengths, assets and needs of neighborhoods and various population groups., Design community interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of those served., Analyze issues of social, economic, and environmental justice, power, and equity that lead to discrimination, economic deprivation, and oppression for age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation in relation to political, social, cultural, and economic factors., Demonstrate cultural humility and cultural competence in working with communities that have been traditionally marginalized on the basis of age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation., Examine social work values and value dilemmas as they relate to interventions at the group, organizations, and community levels.,

TEACHING METHODS
☑ Lectures
☑ Seminars and workshops
☐ Exercises
☑ Independent tasks
☐ Multimedia and internet
☑ Distance education
☐ Office hours
☐ Laboratory
☑ Field work
☐ Mentoring work
☐ Knowledge test
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
☐ Oral exam
☑ Written exam
☐ Colloquium
Other: Društveno-korisno učenje
ADDITIONAL FACTS
Students are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. Students should complete readings and homework as assigned and come to class prepared for discussion and questions. Because of the nature of this course and group assignments, regular attendance is required and extremely important. Class attendance and active participation in class activities are considered essential for the satisfactory completion of the course objectives. Croatian language, English language
LIST OF LITERATURE FOR STUDIES AND EXAMS
Required reading
Netting, F. E, Kettner, P. M., McMurtry, S. L. i Thomas, L.M. . Social work macro practice (6th ed.). (odabrana poglavlja). 2017. Allyn and Bacon
Morgaine, K. i Capous-Desyllas, M.. Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice: Putting Theory into Action (2nd ed.). 2014. Sage
Wambeam, R. A.. The Community Needs Assessment Workbook. 2015. Lyceum Books, Inc.
. Articles and other resources as posted on the e-platform of the University of Osijek.. 2022.
Optional reading
Kretzmann J.P. i McKnight, J.. Building Communities from the inside out: A Path toward finding and mobilizing a community’s assets. 1993. ACTA Publications
Freire, P.. The Pedagogy of the Oppressed. 1970. Continuum @2000