School for Social Work > Field > About Field > Connecting with Community

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY

The Community Project

During the first winter field placement (Session II for Plan “A” MSW students), all students except those in BSW Advanced Standing develop a Community Project. The project builds and demonstrates knowledge and skills in organizational and community level social work practice. One-half day per week is allotted for this project.

The Community Project is designed to:

	involve students in social work activity that goes beyond direct clinical work with individuals, families and small groups;
	help students gain an understanding of the connections between indirect social work practice interventions and direct clinical practice interventions;
	sharpen the students' awareness of the interrelationship between political, economic, and social forces as they shape the delivery of human services;
	conceptualize, in a final report, the entire project;
	encourage students to appreciate and value another aspect of their professional identity as social workers.

Preparation for the Community Project begins with first summer courses, particularly the Social Worker in the Community and the Agency course. The Community Project has a faculty advisor who oversees the project as a whole. Students independently select an area for their project within the standards described above. A site supervisor (usually an employee of the organization or agency in which the project is located) gives direct supervision of the project work. A written summary of the experience completes the Community Project. Further discussion of the completed Community Project takes place in the second summer, in the second half of the Social Worker in the Community and the Agency Course.

Connecting with Community

Selected Community Practice Projects

In-Depth Study: Independent
Research

Adjunct Associate Professor Fred Newdom is the Coordinator of Community Practice.