SOCW 6361 Week 8: Developing and Using Power

Power and politics have a bad reputation among some [social work] professionals, who regard them as unseemly, even unethical. However, power and politics can often be used for ethical purposes, and each of us can develop and use power resources to help stigmatized groups and unpopular causes. (Jansson, 8th ed.)

Do you agree?

This week you will examine strategies for developing and using power in policy advocacy. You will become familiar with ways to affect policy indirectly by strategically and creatively using power resources—and even politics—to your advantage in shaping policy outcomes. You will also gain insight into the delicate and difficult task of balancing power so that it is not perceived as intimidation, force, or coercion.

Finally, you will explore the strengths and weaknesses of a social policy created and implemented to address a social problem you selected.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze power resources in social work practice
Analyze use of power resources in social work practice
Analyze ethical issues related to power resources
Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of a social policy

Learning Resources

Required Readings

SOCW 6361 Webliography
These websites will be required throughout the semester. Become familiar with these websites, especially when doing research for your assignments.

Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series.
Chapter 10, “Developing and Using Power in the Policy-Enacting Task” (pp. 372-419)

Rocha, C., Poe, B., & Thomas, V. (2010). Political activities of social workers: Addressing perceived barriers to political participation. Social Work, 55(4), 317–325.

Optional Resources

MSW home page
Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

SOCW 6361 Week 8: Developing and Using Power