SWK6141 Family Systems

Abstract

COURSE DESCRIPTION ¶This course introduces the student to a beginning conceptual framework of a systems approach to social work practice with families. It provides an overview of family life taking into consideration the developmental life cycle of families. It also highlights the profound impact that socioeconomic, cultural and racial influences have on a family's identity, structure, communication patterns and style of functioning. The course explores how common issues such as mental and physical illness, alcoholism and domestic violence may impact family life. The course provides an overview of assessment and interventions with families from a systems perspective. ¶LEARNING OBJECTIVES ¶By the end of the course, the students will be able to demonstrate: ¶1. Their understanding of the conceptual framework for social work practice with families from a systems perspective 2. Their competence in articulating the impact of psychosocial developmental tasks of the family life cycle 3. Their competence in articulating key concepts of different family systems frameworks 4. Their understanding and sensitivity to the profound influence that culture, ethnicity, race and socioeconomic class have on family functioning 5. Their understanding of issues such as mental/physical illness, alcoholism and domestic violence from a family systems perspective. 6. Their skill base for assessment and interventions with families from a systems perspective These objectives are assessed in written papers, role-plays and classroom participation. 2 CSWE competency (engagement/assessment/treatment planning and interventions.