A method is outlined for social work students to evaluate their own interviewing techniques. Students focus on their implementation of critical components of the initial interview in role plays, field placements, and class assignments. An interview checklist is included as a tool for operationally defining and monitoring interview components.…

A decade-old study concerning academic affiliation of social work authors is updated, extended, and refined. The current study looked at 1,602 articles in different types of scholarly journals (n=16) in social work and examined how a college or university's productivity varied by journal type, by faculty size, and over time. (Author/MSE)

Implications of new market realities for social work practice are examined, including changing fields, increased credentialing and third part reimbursement, and cost-containment measures. It is suggested that social work educators can prepare students better by supplementing existing course content with material that reflects shifting conditions…

Management of social work students engaging in unethical behavior is discussed, drawing on litigation decisions and a professional association ethics code. The role of university lawyers is also examined, and recommendations for informing lawyers about the special circumstances of professional education and potential liability of problem students…

A follow-up to a 1980 study investigated field instruction needs and research priorities in social work education, as perceived by 12 national experts. Participants saw the Delphi technique as useful in reaching consensus. Research priorities include empirical analysis of field experience outcomes, quality assurance, and processes to help field…

Two models for social work field instruction are presented, both introduced in a university-based laboratory setting. Both models attempt to integrate field practice with content of the holistic practice curriculum. They were derived from a holistic/multimethod assignment and a holistic/generalist orientation. Issues in field teaching are…

This paper examines organized religion as a driving force within the social welfare state and looks at religious organizations as human service providers. Direction is provided for incorporating content on religious groups and organizations as influential forces, into courses on social policy, administration, organization, and community.…

Some reasons why numeracy is essential to day-to-day social work are outlined. The mathematics preparation of social work students is reviewed and some attributes of the numerate practitioner are described. Steps are recommended for implementing the proposed instructional strategy of integrating real-life quantitative modules in the curriculum.…

A teaching model which focuses on the development of cognitive sophistication as a means of preparing social work students for culturally sensitive practice is described. The content was presented in three stages: bias was defined; the functions of bias were discussed; and vignettes were given to the class for analysis. (Author/MLW)

The national survey of full-time graduate social work students (N=687) examined student characteristics and practice orientations. Comparison of 1990 graduates with earlier cohorts suggests that, although students' personal characteristics have shifted, their motivations and goals are compatible with traditional social work functions. (Author/MLW)

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the language and provisions of field work training agreements currently used by social work education programs. Problem areas, including a lack of understanding and the waiver of rights and responsibilities without adequate consent, are identified. Recommendations for developing appropriate agreements are…

A discussion of the role of biology in the social work curriculum provides evidence of the need for biology content, considers obstacles to infusing biological material into existing curricula, and suggest alternative models for integrating biology into the master's level program. (Author/MSE)

An approach to teaching effective social work intervention involving ethnic and racial groups and helping students integrate cultural factors and society's concerns into clinical practice is proposed and described. Pedagogical issues and classroom processes of teaching culturally sensitive and competent interpersonal practice are discussed.…

To move beyond the incomplete curricular reform that characterized compliance with Council on Social Work Education curriculum policy standards on women, it is proposed that a gender-inclusive curriculum be developed, including changes in the knowledge base, teaching strategies, and departmental practices. (Author/MSE)

A study of four social work students' attitudes about criteria for evaluating teaching effectiveness used a repertory grid rather than the traditional questionnaire to elicit the criteria. It was concluded that the repertory grid is a powerful heuristic tool for this purpose. (Author/MSE)