Advanced Topics in Macro Social Work

This mini-course focuses on three main approaches to evaluation: empowerment, utilization-focused, and developmental. Students will learn about these three approaches and the toolkit needed for each. The first day will involve an introduction to evaluation and the three approaches. Students will then put these theories to practice when they participate in a live consultation with a community client on their evaluation needs. During the second day of the mini-course, students will participate in a symposium with community members focused on putting evaluation theory into practice. A highly participating teaching/learning approach will be utilized. The mini-course will include mini-lectures, small group work, live consultations, and community involvement. Students in this course will: (1) increase their knowledge of evaluation basics; (2) be able to identify the benefits and constraints of different evaluation approaches; (3) know career options in the evaluation profession; and (4) be able to identify issues and resources in the evaluation profession.