Undergraduate Foundation Topics in Social Work and Social Change

SW300, Section 001

This course is taught by various faculty. Each version of the course has its own subtitle, some being offered one time only while others are repeated. These courses are open to undergraduates at all levels. Some topics may be closed to CASC students. If you have questions about a course, please contact the CASC office at cascminor@umich.edu.

Topic Description / Additional Information

Participatory Facilitation for Community Action and Social Change (Pilot CASC Course, Winter 2021)

Participatory facilitation is the process of increasing the participation of diverse people within groups and community contexts for community action and social change. Emphasis will be placed on understanding theories of group work, group process, and emergent strategy. In this course, students will develop skills and techniques to strengthen participatory facilitation practices, including understanding intergroup dialogue, liberating structures, participatory planning activities, and alternative forms of facilitation including world cafes and online facilitation practices. Students will explore examples as well as practice skills. Special focus will be on the role of power, privilege, and social identities within a facilitation context.


Competencies:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Develop knowledge of group work, group process, and emergent strategy theories

Gain skills and techniques to strengthen participatory facilitation practices, including understanding intergroup dialogue, liberating structures, participatory planning activities, and alternative forms of facilitation including world cafes and online facilitation practices

Recognize and address issues of ethics and values arising in participatory facilitation contexts

Course Codes