SWRK 247 Community Organization

This is a multi-media and web enhanced course. All course material is on Dr. Hardina’s web site: Class format will include lectures, class exercises, video clips, movies, and music. The main theme of the course is social justice. Course content also includes material on culturally competent practice and empowerment.

Content will be linked to your practice classes and SWRK 215 & 216. We will discuss oppression. We will discuss the different theories related to macro practice. We will use the problem-solving model to plan and evaluate interventions. We will use interpersonal skills developed in SWRK 220 and 224 to conduct community assessments.

Content on oppression will include: Classism Racism Ableism Ageism Sexism Heterosexism (See syllabus for policies on class conduct and respect for one’s colleagues).

Three assignments include: Community needs assessment Power Analysis Intervention plan

Text: Analytical skills for community organization practice. There are additional readings from web sites. Four articles can be obtained from the library’s electronic reserve.

Community organization has a specific purpose and set of values It is intended to promote social justice.

Conflict theory provides a framework for most community organization practice Basic assumption is that society involves competition between the have and the have nots. The “Haves” control economic, political, and social institutions. The purpose of community organization is to assist the “have nots” obtain economic, social, and political resources. Consequently, most interventions in community practice involve POWER and EMPOWERMENT.

In this context how would you define empowerment?

Why do you think people need to acquire power?

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