Course Syllabus
Title of Course: Macro-level Practice
Prefix and Number: SOCL_WRK 403
Semester and Year [tbd]
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Admitted to Social Work Program
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here Links to an external site. for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here Links to an external site. for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
Focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for competent, generalist practice at the mezzo and macro levels. Examines the structures, functions, processes, and interventions at the group, community, and larger systems levels of practice. Explores strategies for mezzo and macro system development and change, with an emphasis on rural practice.
Course Materials
Books:
All course readings are Open Educational Resources (OERs) available and accessible through Canvas.
Goerdt, L.A. (2025). Macro practice for community and organizational change. Creative commons. (Available free at: https://wisconsin.pressbooks.pub/macropractice/ Links to an external site.)
Alexander, R. (2010). Human behavior in the social environment : a macro, national, and international perspective (1st ed.). Sage. (Available free on WSU Search-It)
Other Materials: You will need a laptop or device to access course content through online resources and the Canvas Learning Management System. Plan to log into the Canvas course several times per week and check your email frequently for announcements or other information from your instructor.
Fees: N/A
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Explain social work practice at the mezzo and macro levels. | Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentations | Written assignments, final project |
| Understand the issues affecting diverse populations within rural Washington communities | Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentations | Reflective journaling, interview and summary, written assignments, final project |
| Understand the knowledge and skills necessary for mezzo and macro practice | Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentations | Reflective journaling, interview and summary, written assignments, final project |
| Articulate barriers within mezzo and macro systems change | Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentations | Systems study assignment, reflective journaling, final project |
| Identify effective strategies in overcoming mezzo and macro barriers |
Lectures, class discussions, small-group activities, writing, and individual and group presentations |
Systems study assignment, reflective journaling, interview and summary, written assignments, final project |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Introduction to mezzo and macro level social work: theories, models, and approaches | Assigned Canvas readings | Reflection Journal #1 |
| Week 2 [dates] |
Contrasts and interconnections between micro, mezzo, and macro levels | Assigned Canvas readings | Assignment #1 |
| Week 3 [dates] |
Community and Organizational Change Overview | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 1 | In-class participation |
| Week 4 [dates] |
Systems Theory as Foundation of Mezzo and Macro Work | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 2 | Assignment #2 |
| Week 5 [dates] |
Engaging Community in Mezzo and Macro Practice | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 3, assigned Canvas readings | In-class participation |
| Week 6 [dates] |
Assessing Community at the Mezzo and Macro Practice Levels | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 4, assigned Canvas readings | Reflection Journal #2 |
| Week 7 [dates] |
Intervening at Mezzo and Macro Practice Levels | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 5, assigned Canvas readings | Assignment #3 |
| Week 8 [dates] |
Mezzo and Macro Practice with Rural Communities in Washington State | Assigned Canvas readings | In-class participation |
| Week 9 [dates] |
Community Organizing as a Change Strategy | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 6, assigned Canvas readings | Assignment #4 |
| Week 10 [dates] |
Evaluating Mezzo and Macro-level Practice | Read: Goerdt, Ch. 9, assigned Canvas readings | Reflection Journal #3 |
| Week 11 [dates] |
Community Capacity Building in Rural Practice | Assigned Canvas readings | In-class Participation |
| Week 12 [dates] |
Environmental Justice in Rural, Marginalized Communities | Assigned Canvas readings | Assignment #5 |
| Week 13 [dates] |
Mezzo/Macro Practice Strategies to Address Poverty and Mental Health | Assigned Canvas readings | In-class Participation |
| Week 14 [dates] |
Mezzo/Macro Practice Strategies to Address Child Welfare | Assigned Canvas readings | Assignment #6 |
| Week 15 [dates] |
Mezzo/Macro Practice Strategies to Address Drug and Alcohol Misuse | Assigned Canvas readings | Final Project |
|
Week 16 |
Finals Week |
Finals Week |
Finals Week |
Expectations for Student Effort
It is WSU policy that for every hour of in-class instruction, or equivalent online instruction, students should expect at least 2 hours of outside class course preparation in the form of reading, course assignments, and review of previous lectures.
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance/Participation | 100 | 10% |
| Reflection Journals | 100 | 10% |
| Written Assignments | 300 | 30% |
| Final Project | 500 | 50% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
94-100 |
C | 74-76 |
| A- | 90-93 | C- | 70-73 |
| B+ | 87-89 | D+ | 67-69 |
| B | 84-86 | D | 64-66 |
| B- | 80-83 | F | <64 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
Standard rounding procedures will be applied to the percentages to calculate grades. For example, an 89% earns a B+ and 90% earns an A-. A student with an 89.5% will be rounded to a 90%.
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Social work education involves experiential and collaborative learning and the development of high standards of personal and professional responsibility. Every student contributes as a valuable resource, and peer collaboration is fundamental to the learning milieu. It is important for emerging social workers to begin to express critical course-related ideas and reflections in the classroom. Active participation is essential. Students are expected to be present and on time for class. If students are not able to attend class, they must contact the instructor prior to that session to determine if participation/attendance credits can be awarded in an alternative format. (Emergencies may be excused on a case-by-case basis.)
Please contact your instructor prior to a planned absence such as a school sponsored event, conference, etc. If you have an emergency, please contact your instructor as soon as possible through their WSU email address, preferably prior to the class.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
- Fail the assignment.
- Be reported to the Center for Community StandardsLinks to an external site..
- Have the right to appeal the decision.
- Not be able to drop the course or withdraw from the course until the appeal process is finished.
If you want to ask for a change in the instructor’s decision about academic integrity, refer to the formLinks to an external site. at the Center for Community StandardsLinks to an external site. website. You must submit the request within 21 calendar days of the decision.
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask your instructor.