SHZ 401 - Social Work Theories for Social Organisation and Society

This course aims to enable students to understand the theoretical foundations of social work practice within the framework of the ecosystem approach and exo-dynamic relationships and to evaluate different social work theories and approaches at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Within this framework, the course aims to address five fundamental values that are essential to the protection and empowerment of individuals in social work practice, as well as the reciprocal interactions among individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and their environments from a holistic perspective.

The course examines theories and approaches that provide a foundation for generalist social work practice, with particular emphasis on Social Systems Theory and the Ecological Approach. In addition, Ibn Sina’s holistic understanding of human beings and related perspectives are considered in relation to contemporary social work theories and methods, with particular attention to the significance of holistic approaches in social work practice. Social humanism, the Gestalt approach, social group work, empowerment and strengths perspectives, feminist theory, and other relevant approaches are addressed within the framework of ecosystem and exo-dynamic relationships. Accordingly, the course seeks to enable students to compare different social work theories, establish connections between theory and practice, and critically and holistically evaluate theoretical knowledge in social work interventions with organizations and communities.

The course covers the theoretical and conceptual foundations of social work practice within the framework of generalist social work. The fundamental characteristics of social work as both a discipline and a profession are addressed within the framework of ecosystem and exo-dynamic relationships, with particular attention to the reciprocal interactions among individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and their environments. Within this context, the integration of social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, as well as the fundamental values underlying social work theories and methods, is examined.

The course covers:

• The ecosystem approach and exo-dynamic relationships,

• The integration of social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels,

• The generalist social work approach and five fundamental values to be upheld in social work practice,

• Social Systems Theory and the Ecological Approach,

• The empowerment approach and strengths perspective,

• Psychoanalytic, existential, task-centered, reality therapy, Gestalt, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral approaches,

• Social work theories addressing organizations and communities and macro-level social work practice,

• Social group work and community intervention approaches,

• Social humanism and feminist social work theories and approaches,

• An examination of Ibn Sina’s holistic understanding of human beings and related perspectives within the context of contemporary social work theories and methods,

• A comparative examination of different social work theories from the perspectives of generalist and holistic social work practice.

• Atatürk Üniversitesi Açıköğretim Fakültesi. (t.y.). Sosyal hizmet kuramları ve yaklaşımları. Atatürk Üniversitesi.

Coady, N., & Lehmann, P. (Eds.). (2016). Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: A generalist-eclectic approach (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

• Gedik, M. (2021). AHSEN-sosyal hizmet modeli: İslâmî sosyal hizmet yaklaşımı. Efe Akademi Yayınları.

• Gencer, T. E., & Cılga, İ. (2017). Sosyal hizmeti yeniden düşünmek: Sosyal çalışmalar üzerine eleştirel tartışmalar. Nika Yayınevi.

• Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018). Empowerment series: Understanding generalist practice (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

• Netting, F. E., McMurtry, S. L., Thomas, M. L., & Kettner, P. M. (2023). Social work macro practice (7th ed.). Pearson.

• Payne, M. (2020). Modern social work theory (5th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic.

• Sheafor, B. W., & Horejsi, C. J. (2015). Sosyal hizmet uygulaması: Temel teknikler ve ilkeler. Nika Yayınevi.

• Teater, B. (2015). Sosyal hizmet kuram ve yöntemleri: Uygulama için bir giriş. Nika Yayınevi.

• Thompson, N. (2016). Kuram ve uygulamada sosyal hizmeti anlamak (3. bs.; B. Yıldırım, Çev.). Dipnot Yayınları.

• Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

• Wallerstein, I., Juma, C., & Keller, E. F. (2014). Sosyal bilimleri açın: Sosyal bilimlerin yeniden yapılanması üzerine rapor. Metis Yayınları.

• Yanardağ, U. (2018). Toplumla sosyal çalışmaya giriş. Maya Akademi.

• Yolcuoğlu, İ. G. (2014). Bireylerle, ailelerle, gruplarla ve toplumla sosyal hizmet. Nar Yayınevi.

• Zastrow, C. (2016). Sosyal hizmete giriş. Nika Yayınevi.

• Coady, N., & Lehmann, P. (Eds.). (2016). Theoretical perspectives for direct social work practice: A generalist-eclectic approach (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

• Dominelli, L. (2002). Feminist social work theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan.

• Gedik, M. (2020). Sosyal hizmetlerde hak temelli yaklaşım. Çekmece İZÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(16), 28–57.

• Healy, K. (2014). Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

• Mathews, I. (2017). Sosyal hizmet ve maneviyat. Bilge Kültür Sanat Yayınları.

• Miley, K. K., O’Melia, M., & DuBois, B. (2017). Generalist social work practice: An empowering approach (8th ed.). Pearson.

• Netting, F. E., Thomas, M. L., & Ivery, J. (2021). Macro social work practice. In Encyclopedia of social work. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.230

• Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. R. (2012). Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work (3rd ed.). Pearson.

• Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

• van Wormer, K. (2017). Human behavior and the social environment, macro level: Groups, communities, and organizations (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Explanations

·        Within the scope of the “SHZ 401 / Social Work Theories for Organizations and Communities” course, social work theories and approaches will be addressed within the framework of the ecosystem approach, exo-dynamic relationships, and social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

·        Students are expected to attend classes having completed the basic readings and research related to the “Preparation” topics specified for the following week in the weekly course schedule. Social work theories and approaches will be discussed in relation to case examples, contemporary social problems, and fields of practice.

·        Students may be required to prepare individual and/or group assignments within the scope of the course. Assignment topics, working groups, submission deadlines, and presentation schedules will be announced by the course instructor during the semester.

·        The Midterm Examination will account for 40% of the overall course grade. If an individual and/or group academic assignment is used in place of the Midterm Examination, it will be prepared as a Word (doc/docx) document and submitted digitally by the specified date and time.

·        The Final Examination will account for 60% of the overall course grade. If an individual and/or group assignment is used in place of the Final Examination, it will be prepared as a PowerPoint presentation and presented in class according to the designated course schedule.

·        In group assignments, students may receive different grades, as their individual contributions, mastery of the subject, and presentation performance may be evaluated separately.

·        In their assignments and presentations, students are expected to relate the social work theories covered in the course to social work practice with organizations and communities and to evaluate theory–practice integration at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels

Rules and Reminders

Rules Regarding Course Attendance

• Regular attendance is required for classes conducted face-to-face and/or online via Teams.

• A minimum attendance rate of 70% is required for this course.

• If a student’s attendance rate falls below 70% by the Midterm Examination period (Week 8), a 15% deduction will be applied to the determined course grade.

• If a student’s attendance rate falls below 50% by the Midterm Examination period (Week 8), a 25% deduction will be applied to the determined course grade.

• If a student’s overall attendance rate falls below 70% by the Final Examination period (Week 16), a 15% deduction will be applied to the determined course grade.

• If a student’s overall attendance rate falls below 50% by the Final Examination period (Week 16), a 25% deduction will be applied to the determined course grade.

• Students are expected to attend the “SHZ 401 / Social Work Theories for Organizations and Communities” course having completed the necessary readings and research related to the “Preparation” topics specified in the weekly course schedule.

Rules and Reminders Regarding Assignments

• Within the scope of the “SHZ 401 / Social Work Theories for Organizations and Communities” course, assignments may be completed individually and/or as group work.

• Where group assignments are required, groups will consist of two or a maximum of three students.

• Each student is expected to participate actively in both the preparation and presentation of the group assignment. Since students’ individual contributions, mastery of the subject, and presentation performance may be assessed separately, students within the same group may receive different grades.

• Assignment submission deadlines and presentation schedules will be announced through the IZU Campus Information System (KBS) and/or during class. Students are responsible for submitting their assignments by the specified date and time.

• Written assignments must be prepared as Word (doc/docx) documents and submitted digitally.

• Excluding the cover page, assignments must be a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 pages in length.

• Images, figures, graphs, and tables used in assignments must be appropriately identified within the text, and any additional detailed materials may be provided in the “Appendices” section.

Formatting Requirements for Assignments

• Font: Times New Roman

• Main text: 12-point font

• Section and subsection headings: 12-point font and bold

• Main assignment title: 14-point font, CAPITAL LETTERS, and bold

• Left margin: 2.5 cm

• Top, bottom, and right margins: 2 cm

• Line spacing within the main text: 1.5

• Spacing between headings and the main text: 2 lines

• Headings must be aligned with the left margin without paragraph indentation.

• Page numbers must be placed at the bottom center of each page.

Use of Sources and Academic Writing

• In-text citations and the reference list must be prepared in accordance with APA 7 guidelines.

• Assignments must include at least 10 academic/printed sources, such as books, scholarly articles, and academic journals.

• Depending on the nature of the topic, students may use 5–10 reliable digital/web-based electronic sources.

• References must be listed alphabetically and formatted in accordance with APA 7 guidelines.

• Students are expected to make use of current scientific literature as much as possible, together with the required and supplementary sources specified for the course.

Order of Sections in the Word (doc/docx) Assignment

• Cover Page

• Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Main Text Organized Under Main Headings and Subheadings Related to the Research Topic

• Conclusion/Discussion (at least one page)

• References

• Appendices