UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

Department of Social Work

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK HONOURS DEGREE

COURSE OUTLINE 2016-2017 SECOND SEMESTER

SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS II (HSW 208)

LECTURER: Muchinako, G.A.

Contact Hours: 60 Hours per Semester.

Course Objectives:

a) To introduce students to the various definitions and models of group

development and their application in practice.
b) To develop the students’ skills in organizing a group and how to conduct
committee meetings.
c) To introduce students to group work in various social work settings and
group work application in Third World/developing countries including
Zimbabwe.

Teaching Methods

a) Lectures
b) Seminars
c) Assessments
d) Practical exercises

Course Content

1. Group development
o Definitions of group development
o Stages of group development
o Role of group worker in group development
o Social group work Models
o Self-awareness (Jo-Hari Window)
 2. Organizing a Social Work Group
o Suggested stages in the planning of a group
o The contract in group work
o The programme in group work
o Observation, recording and evaluation
o Conduction committee meetings and duties of office bearers
3. Group Work in Various Social Work Settings
o Groupwork application in the Third World and Zimbabwe
o Examples of various group work settings:
i) Groupwork in Institutions
ii) Self-help groups (for socio-economic issues)
iii) Therapy groupwork
iv) Youth and recreational group work.
v) Group work with ageing populations.

ASSESSMENTS

Students will be required to do two assignments during the course of the

semester. The first assignment will be a group assignment. The second
assignment will be an in-class test which will be written under examination
conditions. These assignments will constitute 25% of the final course assessment.
The end of semester examination will constitute the remaining 75% of the final
course assessment. The group assignments should strictly be between 1000 and
1200 words in length. Longer essays will be penalized. Assignments should be
submitted on or before the due date. The first assignment must be typed using
font 12 of Times New Roman. Use single line spacing.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Use of any unauthorized disruptive devices like cell-phones during lectures is

strictly prohibited.

Assignment 1: Discuss how you can use social group work methods and skills to
assist a disadvantaged group or community of your choice in Zimbabwe to deal
with problems they experience.
Due date: To be advised.

Assignment 2

In class test

Area: All areas covered.

Due date: To be advised.

REFERENCES

Corey, M.S. (2010) Groups: Process and Practice. 8th edition, Belmont, CA:
Brookes/Cole.

Douglas, T. (2000 & 2003) Basic Groupwork. Ambington: Routledge.

http://www.monash.edu.au./ills/llonline/quickrefs/24-groupwork.xml

Manor, O. (2000) Choosing a groupwork approach. London: Jessica Kingsley

Publishers.

Napier, R.W. (2003) Groups: Theory and Experience. Gershenfield, Boston: K

Houghton Miffin Co.

Ritter, J.A. (2013) Social Work Policy Practice: Changing our Community, Nation
and the World. Gothernberg: Person. www.pcificu.edu

Wing Lo, T. (2005) Task-centred group work: reflections on practice. International

Social Work. Vol 48 No.4 (371-379).

www.streetbeatyouthproject....

www.groupworksolutions.com.au/GroupWork...

www.infed.org/wiki/social_work_with_groups

www.reference.com/browse/self-help+group
CLASSICAL REFERENCES

Brandler, S. and Roma, C.P. (1991) Group Work: Skills & Strategies for effective
Interventions. New York: The Haworth Press.

Brown, A. (1989) Groupwork. Community Care Practice Handbook. London:

Oxford University Press.

Douglas, T. (1979) A Decade of Small Group Theory. Ambington: Bookstall

Publications.

Konopka, G. (1983) Social Groupwork: A Helping Process. New Jersey: Prentice-

Hall.

SEMINAR TOPICS

1. Examine the interactions and activities of the group worker and group members
at each stage of group development.

2. Outline and discuss the role of a group worker in the establishment and function
of a Therapy Group.

3. Practical: Set up a Committee and prepare an Agenda for a first meeting.

4. Practical: Conduct a first Committee Meeting.

5. Explore and present opportunities for using Group work knowledge and skills to
enhance social and economic development in Zimbabwe today.