Field Manual for 2013-2014 - University of Maryland School of ...

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Field Education
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SWOA 794-795
Statement of Purpose
FIELD EDUCATION FOR
MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
The Management and Community Organization (MACRO) Field Education courses are core elements of the
educational program. These courses provide opportunities for students to integrate knowledge, attitudes, and
skills learned in academic courses to the practicum situation at increasingly proficient levels of practice.
Students are placed as interns in a wide variety of organizational settings in the public, private and nonprofit
sectors. Placement settings include the range of opportunities available to MACRO practitioners such as large
public agencies, nonprofit philanthropies, small community-based social action organizations, private sector
firms, community development corporations, advocacy institutions or innovative multi-agency collaboratives.
It is expected that all MACRO placements will provide students with both management and community
organizing learning opportunities.
The two semesters of Field Education are designed for progressive and intensive learning opportunities.
Educational planning and evaluation is co-produced with the student, Field Instructor and Faculty Liason.
Requirements
Advanced Field Education follows successful completion of Foundation Field Education. Students may select
one of the following options:
1. Standard placement three days per week. In this option, students spend 24 hours per week in Field
Education; generally Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for two semesters beginning with the Fall
semester and ending in early May of Spring semester.
2. Extended placement two days per week. In this option, students spend 16 hours per week beginning
in the Fall semester and ending in July.
Both options have the same course objectives and receive 6 units of credit per semester. Due dates of
assignments and the timing of evaluations, however, are on different schedules (see Field Education calendar).
Students must complete a learning contract, minimum of three process recordings (per semester), and end of
semester evaluations. Additional assignments may be required by the Field Instructor and/or Faculty Liason
depending on the student’s learning needs and field site demands.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
67
A. Knowledge Objectives
1. Develop an understanding of social structure and its implications for marginalized communities and
populations.
2. Develop an understanding of power structures and power relationships:
• determine the structure of power in a social system
• observe dynamics of power relationships in interactions
• understand the power inherent in positions of authority and professional expertise, and is