SOWK 423: Group Practice
Prerequisites: Admission to SOWK Major
Credit Hours: (3) Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory
This course integrates the student’s knowledge of human behavior and the social environment with the specific skills of generalist practice within groups, incorporating aspects of social, economic, and environmental justice that are relevant to group practice, group member selection and group composition.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
I. Review of Generalist Interventive Methods including Interviewing techniques, problem-solving
model, and systems theory.
II. Membership in Groups to address issues concerning: persons who would benefit from
groups and those who often have trouble in groups.
III. The Use of Program with Groups and an overview of Group Dynamics including Goal
Setting, Group Interaction, Hidden Agendas, and Other Dynamics
IV. Techniques Useable with Groups such as role play and contracts are explored.
V. Evaluation of group work practice including quantitative approachers, goal attainment
scales, and single subject design.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
I. Students participate in an experience involving obtaining actual group experience
as a Group Leader, and experience as an observer, and experience as a client.
II. Format - Students learn about themselves and the use of self through journalling
and through the use of groups.
III. This course relies heavily on observational and experiential learning. Text books
and handouts are utilized extensively during the first five weeks of the semester.
Consultation, self-analysis, feedback and hands-on exercises are techniques utilized
primarily during the last nine weeks of the course.
Goals and Objectives of Course
1.Identify and utilize concepts, theories and models pertaining to group dynamics.
2.Lead a group utilizing generalist practice skills.
3.Analyze group processes and group dynamics.
4.Discuss how group members of task groups, support groups, psychoeducational and counseling groups may interact with different cultural values and expectations.
5.Evaluate professional practice in groups.
Assessment Measures
Students progress through experiential learning about self and others through active participation in self revelation and awareness through journaling and hands on group experience.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
September 2001 Updated Marilyn Rigby
Revised 2/5/09