This course
provides an introduction to group process and group techniques as they apply to
social work practice. It includes descriptions, processes, and methods of
practice for both treatment and task groups.
Course Objectives
“
1. The ability to use critical thinking skills in
applying the problem solving process to social work group practice. [
2. The knowledge of social
work values as they apply to practice with groups and the unique ethical
dilemmas that may occur in this type of social work practice. [
3. The ability to act professionally and use oneself effectively within the
context of social work group practice. [
4. The knowledge of the different forms of groups in social work practice and
the beginning ability to work effectively in the various types of groups. [
5. The knowledge of group process and other bio‑psycho‑social
variables that members bring into groups and the beginning ability to promote
positive interactions among members, utilizing this group process. [
6. The ability to communicate effectively in all types of groups in social work
practice, adapting to the special needs and circumstances of members in that
type of group. [
Course Requirements and Assignments
Grades will be assigned on the basis of point accumulation, so that each
student can decide what grade she or he receives by doing more or less work and
consequently receiving more or fewer points. The relationship between
grades and points follows: A = 550 or more points; B+ = 525 points; B =
500 points; B- = 475 points; C+ = 450 points; C = 425 points; C- = 400 points;
D+ = 375 points; D = 350 points; D- = 325 points; F = less than 325
points. Social Work majors must receive a grade of C- or above to satisfy
BSW requirements.
Do you have a lottery scholarship?
To retain Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must
earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative
TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. You may qualify with a 2.75 cumulative GPA
after 72 attempted hours (and subsequent semesters), if you are enrolled
full-time and maintain a semester GPA of at least 3.0. A grade of
C, D, F, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.
Dropping a class after 14 days may also impact eligibility; if you withdraw
from this class and it results in an enrollment status of less than full time,
you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship. Lottery recipients are
eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of five years from the date
of initial enrollment, or until a bachelor degree is earned. For
additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of
Understanding form, review lottery requirements on the web at http://scholarships.web.mtsu.edu/telsconteligibility.htm,
or contact the Financial Aid Office at 898-2830.
Points
may be accumulated in the following ways:
1. Attendance
and class participation. Attendance will be taken. Students are expected to
arrive on time, and late arrival will be noted, but all students should
understand that they may enter the classroom whenever they arrive.
Participation will also be recorded. Points for the forty MWF class
sessions will be awarded as follows: attendance = 3 points; attendance on
time = 4 points; attendance and effective participation = 5 points. A
total of 200 points is possible this way.
Since this is a
course about groups, and the integrity of the class as a group is important,
there will be a penalty for any student who stops attending class after the
accumulation of 550 points. This penalty will be the reduction of five
points for each class not attended after 550 points from the total points
accumulated by that student.
2. Class
topics.
Each MWF class will have a topic about which students may write a paragraph of
100 to 150 words. These topics will be announced prior to the class for
which they are due. They are also available online at www.mtsu.edu/~jsanborn/groups/topics.htm. The paragraphs
must be typewritten and turned in at the beginning of class or by email to jsanborn@mtsu.edu ahead of time. Points for
class topics will be awarded as follows: completion of paragraph = 2
points; average completion = 3 points; above average completion = 4 points;
exceptional completion = 5 points. A total of 200 points is possible this
way, but it would be very unusual for any student to receive 5 points on every
class topic.
3. Quizzes. There will be six
quizzes, spaced throughout the course as indicated in the Course Outline
below. The date of each quiz will be announced at least one class period
before it is given. There will be no make-up quizzes given. Each quiz
will count a total of 25 points, for a possible total of 150 points.
4. Group
Role-playing. There will be assigned group role-playing exercises. These are
required. The class will be divided into groups of approximately seven
members. Every student will be required to participate as the social
worker responsible for the group activity once. Other group members will
be members of the group for each assignment. Details of these assignments
will be discussed in class. Points will be awarded on the effectiveness of
the group activity and resulting discussion. The expected maximum point
total is 100. More points will be awarded for exceptional
presentations. The student in the role of social worker will receive
one-half of the points. The other half will be divided among the other
members.
5.
Observation of Group. Any student or students may attend a group meeting
at any organization other than the agency of their field placement and report
on their observation of that meeting. This report may be made in writing,
orally to the instructor, or in class as time permits. Points will be
awarded on the basis of the amount of information learned in the process of the
project and the value of the project to the class. All group observation
reports must be completed by Wednesday, April 14.
6. Creative
Projects. Any student may propose and complete a creative project in order to receive
additional points. These include such things as poetry relevant to
groups, a research paper, a visual arts project, music, community service, or
other project. Each project must be approved by the instructor.
Points will be awarded on the bases of the amount of information learned in the
process of the project and the value of the project to the class. All
creative projects must be completed by Wednesday, April 14.
7. Final
exam.
There will be a comprehensive, take-home final exam due at 9:30 AM on Friday, April
30. This is optional. The maximum possible total is 100
points. Late final exams will not be accepted.
Theoretically, a
student could accumulate a total of 850 or more points. This is very
improbable, however, since it will be rare that five points are awarded for
class topic paragraphs and perfect scores on other assignments would be very
surprising.
The required text
for this course is An Introduction to Group Work Practice, by Toseland
and Rivas. It is strongly suggested that you buy and read it, as class
topics, quizzes, and the final exam will assume that you do. The text
will also be very helpful for the presentation assignments. There will be
material on these assignments from the book that will not be covered in class.
Any student needing to
make arrangements for special considerations in graded assignments due to
disabilities,
including learning disabilities, are encouraged
to discuss these arrangements with the instructor.
The office of
Services for Students with Disabilities is located in KUC 120
and may be contacted at 898-2783 or at dssemail@mtsu.edu.
Course Topics
1. Course
Introduction: values, ethics, definitions, and group types. (Chpt. 1)
2. Historical developments: history, knowledge
bases, and theories. (Chpt. 2) Quiz 1 to follow.
3. Group dynamics: cohesion, integration, and
culture. (Chapter 3)
4. Leadership:
power, roles, and skills. (Chapter 4)
5. Diversity:
cultural competence; gender, sexuality, and disability. (Chpt. 5) Quiz 2 to
follow.
6. Planning:
stages of development; purpose and composition. (Chapter 6)
7. Beginning:
acceptance and group goals. (Chapter 7)
8. Assessment:
members, group, and environment. (Chapter 8) Quiz 3 to follow.
9. Treatment
groups: foundation methods. (Chapter 9)
10.
Treatment groups: specialized methods. (Chapter 10) Quiz 4 to follow.
11. Task
groups: foundation methods. (Chapter 11)
12. Task
groups: specialized methods. (Chapter 12) Quiz 5 to follow.
13.
Termination: planned and unplanned. (Chapter 13)
14.
Evaluation: process and outcome. (Chapter 14) Quiz 6 to follow.
15. Final
exam.
Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday: 9:00 - 10:00 am; 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Tuesday
and Thursday: By appointment
There will be exceptions to these due to meetings and
other life events. It is best to make an appointment to be sure. I can also be
available at other times. Please contact me if you need to make an appointment
at some time other than these hours. My office phone is 898-2685. You may call
me at home if absolutely necessary. My home phone is 563-8050.
Bibliography
Alinsky, Saul. Rules for Radicals.
Bales, R. F. Interaction Process Analysis: a Method for the Study of
Small Groups.
Bandura, A. Social Learning.
Blades, Joan. Mediate Your Divorce.
Blood, R. O. and Wolfe, D. M. Husbands and Wives.
Bloom, Martin and Joel Fischer. Evaluating
Practice: Guidelines for the Accountable Practitioner.
Brown, Claude. Manchild in the Promised Land.
Caroll, D. W. Psychology of Language (4th
edition).
Corsini, Raymond J. and Danny Wedding. Current Psychotherapies (5th ed.).
Devore, W. and E. G. Schlesinger. Ethnic Sensitive
Social Work Practice (4th ed.).
Drucker, J. Gay and Lesbian Families Speak Out.
Freud, Sigmund. New Introductory Lectures on
Psychoanalysis.
Gilligan, Carol. In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s
Development.
Gordon, Thomas. Parent Effectiveness Training.
Green, J. W. Cultural Awareness in the Human Services
(3rd edition).
Johnson, David W, and Frank P. Johnson. Joining
Together: Group Therapy and Group Skills (8th ed.).
Jourard, Sidney M. The Transparent Self.
Knapp, Mark L. Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction (2nd
ed.).
Kurtz, Linda F. Self-Help and Support Groups: a Handbook for
Practitioners.
Luft, Joseph. Of Human Interaction.
Malcolm X and Haley, Alex. The
Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Minuchin,
Moore, Christopher W. The Mediation Process.
Napier, Rodney W. and Matti K. Gershenfeld. Groups: Theory and
Experience (2nd ed).
Northen, Helen and
Ramos, S. Profile of Man and Culture in
Rogers, Carl. Carl Rogers on Encounter Groups.
Shulman, L. The Skills of Helping Individuals and
Groups.
Skinner, B. F. Science and Human Behavior.
Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in
Conversation.
Towle, Charlotte. Common Human Needs: An Interpretation for Staff in
Public Assistance Agencies.
Watson, J. B. Behaviorism.
Wright, Beatrice A. Physical Disability: a Psychological Approach.
Zastrow, Charles H. Social Work With Groups.
Important Dates
January 14 Classes begin
January 18 M. L. King, Jr.
January 27 Deadline for
students to drop without a grade
March 3 Last day to drop with
a “W”
March 8-13 Spring Break; no classes
April 28 Last day of classes
April 29 Study Day; no classes
April 30, 9:30 am Final exam
due
May 8 Commencement
May 10 Deadline for final grades