Course

Unit 1

Working at group level/Social Group Work – Definition, characteristics, nature, objectives, purpose, and principles; Types and structure of groups; Psychological needs that are being met in groups. Group dynamics – definition & meaning. Power, Privilege, and Anti-Oppressive Practice in Groups.

Unit 2

Philosophical and theoretical base – Historical evolution of group work with special emphasis on the Indian context, Ethics, and values in social group work.  Ethical Considerations for Online/Virtual Group Work and Artificial Intelligence in Group Work.

Unit 3

Theories and models in social group work – Rational theory, Behavior theory, Trauma-Informed Group Work. Models – Mutual aid, cognitive model, social goal model, remedial, reciprocal, and self-help groups – therapeutic approaches: T-groups, gestalt – Techniques in Group Therapy: Active listening, Brainstorming, Mindfulness and Emotion-Regulation Techniques, Psycho-drama, Socio-drama – Sociometry for Group Work.

Unit 4

Stages of group development: Phases of Social Group Work: Pre-Group, Beginning, Middle and Ending. Tuckman’s Five Stage of Group Development – Factors affecting Group Behavior: Group member resources, Group Structure and Group Processes-Leadership styles, Managing Conflict and Resistance in Groups.

Unit 5

Skills and Roles of social worker: Group work in different settings: Physical and mental health. Industries, Education, Disaster Correctional, Community, Children and Adolescents, Adults and Old Age, Tele-Mental Health settings. Evaluation of Group Work Practice, Recording in social group work.

Text Books / References

Textbooks: 

1. Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2024). An Introduction to Group Work Practice (9th or 10th ed.). Pearson.
2. Gitterman, A., & Shulman, L. (Eds.). (2018). The Handbook of Social Work with Groups (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
3. Andrews, J. (2001) Group Work’s place in social work: a historical analysis, Journal of sociology and social welfare,
4. Konapka: (1983) Social Group Work: A helping process, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA,
5. Theory and Practice of Social Group Work in Indian Society by Pallassana R. Balgopal, Suresh Pathare, and Meena M. Balgopal

Suggested Readings:

1. Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (6th ed.). Basic Books.
2. Shulman, L. (2016). The Skills of Helping Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities (8th ed.). Cengage Learning
3. Morgaine, K., & Capous-Desyllas, M. (2018). Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice: Putting Theory Into Action. SAGE
4. NASW (National Association of Social Workers) or IFSW (International Federation of Social Workers) Code of Ethics.
5. Moreno, J. L. (1953). Who Shall Survive? Foundations of Sociometry, Group Psychotherapy and Sociodrama. Beacon House

Social Group work is one of the primary methods of social work to work with groups and intervene to solve the problem in groups.

Course Objective: 

1. To analyze the philosophical base, historical evolution, and professional ethics (including those for online/virtual work) of Social Group Work in the Indian context.
2. To comprehend the characteristics, principles, dynamics, and the role of power/privilege in groups, apply an Anti-Oppressive Practice perspective.
3. To examine key Theories and Models of group practice, including Rational, Behavior, Trauma-Informed, Mutual Aid, and Self-Help groups.
4. To master the techniques (e.g., Mindfulness, Psycho-drama, Sociometry) and the phases of group development (Pre-Group, Beginning, Middle, Ending) for effective management of conflict and resistance.
5. To identify the diverse roles and skills of the social worker and apply the group work method across various settings, including Physical/Mental Health, Education, Disaster, and Tele-Mental Health

Course outcome:

1. Analyze the historical evolution, philosophical base, and core ethics (including the ethical application of AI & technology) of Social Group Work.
2. Examine group dynamics, power, and privilege, and utilize Anti-Oppressive Practice principles to manage conflict and resistance in a group setting.
3. Evaluate and apply various Theories and Models (e.g., Trauma-Informed, Mutual Aid) to design purposeful Group Therapy interventions.
4. Master the use of therapeutic techniques (e.g., Sociometry, Psycho-drama) and successfully apply the different phases of group development.
5. Demonstrate the roles and skills of a social worker and apply the group work method ethically in diverse settings such as Tele-Mental Health, Correctional, and Disaster.

CO-PO Mapping: (Course Outcome and Program Outcome Mapping)