100715: "The Power of Place": Another Look at Environment

About the Course:

The ecological/systems model has been prominent in recent social work theory and practice. The author suggests that there is a sense of the environment that social work has, to a significant degree, ignored-the immediate, proximal, often small environment where people play out much of their lives. The author describes how social work thinking and practice might be influenced by incorporating a focus on “small environments”. COURSE SYLLABUS I. Introduction II. The Power of Small A. The Neighborhood and Small B. The Power of the Symbol C. The Media Environment D. Thinking and Practicing Small III. Conclusion

Journal/Publisher:

Families in Society (Alliance for Children and Families)

Publication Date:

2004/Vol. 85, No. 1

Author

Dennis Saleebey, DSW

About the Author:

School of Social Welfare University of Kansas

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about social work theory and practice. It is appropriate for participants with intermediate to advanced levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe how social work has tended to put less emphasis on the immediate, proximal, small environments of people.

2. Identify ways social work thinking and practice might be altered by an increased focus on people’s small environments.