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.

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.,