Decision Cases for Christians in Social Work
There is debate regarding the justification of integrating open-ended case methods in order to teach ethical practice to social work students. While these cases allow students to discuss and apply theory and problem-solving techniques to practice, they also allow for the potential legitimization of issues that are relative. The articles chosen for this course address the place of the case discussion in the classroom, and its purpose in the instruction of social work within a religious context in particular.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
Identify at least three benefits of utilizing decision cases in social work instruction.
Identify one way in which social work education can utilize decision cases in a religious context.
This home study course is text-based. Participants will be given a reading containing two articles. The first article is entitled Is the Case Method bad for your Ethics? Exploring Ethical, Theoretical, and Factual Justification for Practice by David Sherwood. This article explores the ethical basis for utilizing open-ended case discussion in reviewing practice issues, and the potential for relativism therein. The second article, entitled Preparing Social Work Students for Practice with Religious Congregations Within the Context of Charitable Choice: The Grace House Ministry (A) by Michael Sherr and Terry Wolfer, explores the efficacy of utilizing those same open-ended case discussions in social work education, particularly regarding competent social work practice in religious settings.