Decision Cases for Advanced Social Work Practice Thinking Like a Social Worker

by Wolfer, Terry A.; Scales, T. Laine

• ISBN13: 9780534521967
• ISBN10: 0534521967
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-23
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

Designed for MSW-level social work students, this collection of cases encourages readers to think like practicing professionals. The cases depict actual situations across a variety of practice settings--individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Sure to stimulate in-depth class discussions, these detailed, open-ended cases urge students to decide on the central problem and recommend a course of action. The resulting case analyses and class discussions help students develop important problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, internalize social work values and ethics, and apply theory to practice. Through the "decision case" approach, students adopt attitudes and skills that are considered essential for effective social work practice, yet difficult to teach in the traditional curriculum. As they discuss their perspectives on these cases, students learn to articulate and defend their positions, to listen more effectively, and to develop skills in, and appreciation for, collaborative problem-solving.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
About the Editors	viii
PART I TO THE STUDENT	1	(26)
An Introduction to Decision Cases and Case Method Learning	3	(14)
What Is Your Experience with Cases?	4	(1)
Cases in Social Work Education	5	(1)
Distinguishing Decision Cases from Other Types	6	(2)
Outcomes of Decision Case Learning	8	(3)
Case Method Teaching	11	(1)
The Cases	11	(1)
Where These Cases Came From, and How They Were Written	12	(2)
Reading the Cases	14	(1)
References	14	(3)
Tips for Learning from Decision Cases	17	(10)
Reading the Case	17	(1)
Digging into the Case Situation: Develop Your ``Awareness''	18	(1)
Develop Empathic Understanding	19	(1)
Defining or Formulating the Problem	19	(1)
Analysis: Identifying the Key Issues and How They Relate	20	(1)
Prepare to Participate: Take a Stand	21	(1)
Things to Avoid while Preparing	21	(1)
Actively Support Your Conclusions in the Discussion, But Stay Open to Emerging Insights	22	(1)
Listen Carefully	22	(1)
Making Contributions	23	(1)
Things to Avoid in Case Discussions	23	(1)
Trust the Process	24	(1)
Focus on Here-and-Now Process, and Results Will Follow	24	(1)
Maintain Perspective	25	(1)
Finally, Focus on Long-Term Outcomes	25	(1)
References	25	(2)
PART II CASES	27
Case 1 Jim's License to Drive	29
Case 2 Larry Steele's Group	35
Case 3 Advocating for Clients	43
Case 4 Fran's Questions	53
Case 5 Private Charity	59
Case 6 One Little Boy (A)	67
Case 7 In Good Faith	79
Case 8 Planet Methadone	89
Case 9 I Don't Know How it Happened	101
Case 10 How Can Everyone Get a Just Share?	107
Case 11 A Little Earring	113
Case 12 Revealing Problems (A)	119