Social science

SOCW 6060 week3

Week 3: Conflict Theories

Imagine living your life without any problems to solve or obstacles to overcome. What if everyone you encounter held the same beliefs and opinions that you do? How would you continue to learn and mature, without the lessons provided through conflict? Because conflict and adversity are nearly unavoidable, the social worker’s focus often is on helping clients resolve and learn from conflict, in order to continue the progress toward their goals. An understanding of the theories about why conflict exists and how it functions in people’s lives provides the foundation from which social workers can best assist clients in coping with and resolving the conflicts they face.

This week, you evaluate the appropriateness of conflict theories for specific populations and compare their application to social work practice.

Learning Objectives

Students will: Not a Assingment

· Evaluate appropriateness of conflict theories for social work case studies

· Apply social work skills related to conflict theory in social work case studies to specific populations

· Compare conflict theories

· Analyze influences of integrative theories on social work practice

· Analyze congruence between integrative theories and social work ethics and values

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Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Robbins, S. P., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. R. (2012). Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon.

· Chapter 3, “Conflict Theories” (pp. 59–84)

Wester, S. R., McDonough, T. A., White, M., Vogel, D. L., & Taylor, L. (2010). Using gender role conflict theory in counseling male-to-female transgender individuals. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 88(2), 214–219.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing [VitalSource e-reader].

· Working With Individuals: The Case of Roy

· Working With Couples: The Case of Keith and Matt

Champe, J., & Rubel, D. J. (2012). Application of focal conflict theory to psychoeducational groups: Implications for process, content, and leadership. Journal For Specialists In Group Work, 37(1), 71–90.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Discussion: Conflict Theories in Social Work Practice with Specific Populations

Why does conflict exist? What if conflict and instability were life’s normal state of affairs, occasionally interrupted by periods of peace and stability? What if peace is contrary to the nature of man? According to conflict theory, society is in a state of perpetual conflict and competition for limited resources. In fact, this perspective might explain the existence of war, poverty, political strife, divorce, discrimination, and a host of other conflict-related social phenomena. If conflict theorists are right, are social workers fighting a war that cannot be won? The social worker’s mission is not to foster a utopia where all conflict ceases to exist. Rather, social workers help clients overcome the conflicts they face and reduce or eliminate the harm they experience, in order to improve their lives. How can the understanding of conflict’s origins and why it exists prepare social workers to help their clients effectively manage the conflict in their lives?

For this Discussion, review this week’s resources. Select either the Roy case study or the Matt and Keith case study. Then, select a conflict theory that best applies to the specific case you selected. Finally, consider what social work skills you might use to apply that theory and think about why it is appropriate for that case.

1. Answer a 2 paragraph in APA format Support all your written with 2 APA citations and references per paragraph. Post a description of the conflict theory that best applies to the case study you selected. Be sure to reference the client from the specific case study you selected in your post. Then explain what social work skills you might use to apply that theory and explain why it is appropriate for the case you selected.

Support your posts and responses with specific references to this week's resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Assignment: Conflict Theories – A Comparison

The belief that conflict is an enduring aspect of society is only the starting point from which to understand conflict theory. Within this line of thinking, there are varying perspectives on the existence of conflict and the result of its persistence. How can these perspectives, which include Marxist, power elite, and interest group (pluralist) theory, coexist? What do these variances on perspective mean for the social worker’s understanding of conflict for individuals, groups, and communities?

For this assignment, review this week’s resources. Consider the similarities and differences among Marxist, power elite, and interest group (pluralist) theory. Then think about how these theories apply to your work with clients in social work practice.

2. Assignment (4 to 6 pages in APA format): Your assignment should include:

· A comparison and contrast of the basic assumptions of conflict theories: Marxist theory, power elite theory, and interest group (pluralist) theory

· An explanation of how these theories apply to social work practice

Support your Assignment with specific references to this week's resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references. Support all your written Ideas with APA citations and reference sat least 2 citation per paragraph.

Week 4: Theories of Empowerment

Growing up, did you seek permission or advice prior to every action or decision? After a while, you likely began to feel confident in making your own decisions, no matter how big or small. How did having that sense of power and control make you feel? Imagine what it must be like for those who have not gained that sense of empowerment. Whether due to personal identity characteristics or oppressive societal circumstances, one goal of social work practice is to achieve needed social change, personally and politically, in ways that meet human needs. What relationships might exist between theories of empowerment and social work ethics and values? How might it help social workers achieve this goal? How might you, as a social worker, help clients overcome their presenting concerns, in order to improve their sense of empowerment?

This week, you examine identity characteristics, influences of empowerment, and the alignment of empowerment theories with social work ethics and values. You also analyze strategies for improving client empowerment and overcoming client presenting concerns as it relates to applying theories of empowerment.

Learning Objectives

Students will: Not a assingment