Introduction: Application of Theory to the
Field Projects
Based on the three identified
activities from your final paper outline, this paper will focus on describing the
theory or framework and its connection to each project activity. In this first
section, introduce the paper in 1-2 paragraphs including: a) a brief introduction
to the three theories that will be applied to each of the three field projects and
b), an indication that the theories will be analyzed in the context of each
project activity (see Step 2 for this assignment description in Canvas). Please
note that intervention levels, core competencies and self-reflection are NOT
included in this paper. This paper should have at least three total citations.
Field Project #1: Insert Title of Project
Include a brief
explanation of the actual social work practice that was undertaken during the field
project to provide context for the discussion. Please do not provide a
description of the field project as this was addressed in the first draft synthesis
paper.
Description of Theory
Provide a comprehensive definition of the theory or
framework with an academic citation (must be a different peer-reviewed
journal article or academic text for each theory definition). Then, provide a detailed review of the theory including
descriptions of the core tenets of the theory.
Analysis of Theory Application
Describe specifically how the theory
informed your practice. In other words, analyze the theory in the context
of the practices and/or skills utilized in the field project. How did the
theory influence/shape/inform the methodology of your work? How did the
theory shape the manner in which the work was undertaken? With respect to the social work skills utilized,
please note this should be specific skills that are taught and promoted in the
social work discipline. For example, the term ‘networking’ is too broad.
What specific social work skills did this involve? Communication?
Active listening? Cultural competence? And why/how?
Please describe specifically how these skills were utilized and how they
were enhanced through your practice. Use specific examples to illustrate
how the core tenets of the theory were embodied or actualized in the work
associated with the field project.
For example: In practice, the skill of critical questioning was drawn on to objectively
evaluate policing policies regarding police use of force in relation to Forth
Amendment violations. The skill was
actualized in the deliberate framing of questions to examine power relations,
such as “Is there a segment of the population which is marginalized/oppressed
via the current policing use of force policy?” and, “Is there a segment which
benefits from this policy?” By extension, the use of critical questioning elevated
the methodology of the advocacy work (the field project), transforming
conventional policy analysis into critical policy analysis.
Strengths and Limitations
Theories can help promote an understanding of a client’s situation/context
or chart a course of action within a specific context. Theories can also be understood as a set of
principles which inform how practice should be undertaken. All theories have strengths and limitations. This may be the result of the actual theory
formulation but it can also be due to the context in which the theory is
applied, including the target population, the client ecological system (micro,
mezzo and macro) and the wider social, cultural and political context. Use specific examples from the field project
to discuss in detail the strengths and limitations of the theory when applied
to your practice in the given context.
Field Project #2: Insert Title of Project
Include a brief
explanation of the actual social work practice that was undertaken during the
field project to provide context for the discussion. Please do not provide a
description of the field project as this was addressed in the first draft
synthesis paper.
Description of Theory
Provide a comprehensive definition of the theory or
framework with an academic citation (must be a different peer-reviewed
journal article or academic text for each theory definition). Then, provide a detailed review of the theory including
descriptions of the core tenets of the theory.
Analysis of Theory Application
Describe specifically how the theory
informed your practice. In other words, analyze the theory in the context
of the practices and/or skills utilized in the field project. How did the
theory influence/shape/inform the methodology of your work? How did the
theory shape the manner in which the work was undertaken? With respect to the social work skills utilized,
please note this should be specific skills that are taught and promoted in the
social work discipline. For example, the term ‘networking’ is too broad.
What specific social work skills did this involve? Communication?
Active listening? Cultural competence? And why/how?
Please describe specifically how these skills were utilized and how they
were enhanced through your practice. Use specific examples to
illustrate how the core tenets of the theory were embodied or actualized in the
work associated with the field project.
For example: In practice, the skill of critical questioning was drawn on to
objectively evaluate policing policies regarding police use of force in
relation to Forth Amendment violations.
The skill was actualized in the deliberate framing of questions to
examine power relations, such as “Is there a segment of the population which is
marginalized/oppressed via the current policing use of force policy?” and, “Is
there a segment which benefits from this policy?” By extension, the use of
critical questioning elevated the methodology of the advocacy work (the field project),
transforming conventional policy analysis into critical policy analysis.
Strengths and Limitations
Theories can help promote an understanding of a client’s
situation/context or chart a course of action within a specific context. Theories can also be understood as a set of
principles which inform how practice should be undertaken. All theories have strengths and
limitations. This may be the result of
the actual theory formulation but it can also be due to the context in which
the theory is applied, including the target population, the client ecological
system (micro, mezzo and macro) and the wider social, cultural and political
context. Use specific examples from the
field project to discuss in detail the strengths and limitations of the theory when
applied to your practice in the given context.
Field Project #3: Insert Title of Project
Include a brief
explanation of the actual social work practice that was undertaken during the
field project to provide context for the discussion. Please do not provide a
description of the field project as this was addressed in the first draft
synthesis paper.
Description of Theory
Provide a comprehensive definition of the theory or
framework with an academic citation (must be a different peer-reviewed
journal article or academic text for each theory definition). Then, provide a detailed review of the theory including
descriptions of the core tenets of the theory.
Analysis of Theory Application
Describe specifically how the theory
informed your practice. In other words, analyze the theory in the context
of the practices and/or skills utilized in the field project. How did the
theory influence/shape/inform the methodology of your work? How did the
theory shape the manner in which the work was undertaken? With respect to the social work skills utilized,
please note this should be specific skills that are taught and promoted in the
social work discipline. For example, the term ‘networking’ is too broad.
What specific social work skills did this involve? Communication?
Active listening? Cultural competence? And why/how?
Please describe specifically how these skills were utilized and how they
were enhanced through your practice. Use specific examples to
illustrate how the core tenets of the theory were embodied or actualized in the
work associated with the field project.
For example: In practice, the skill of critical questioning was drawn on to
objectively evaluate policing policies regarding police use of force in
relation to Forth Amendment violations.
The skill was actualized in the deliberate framing of questions to
examine power relations, such as “Is there a segment of the population which is
marginalized/oppressed via the current policing use of force policy?” and, “Is
there a segment which benefits from this policy?” By extension, the use of
critical questioning elevated the methodology of the advocacy work (the field project),
transforming conventional policy analysis into critical policy analysis.
Strengths and Limitations
Theories can help promote an understanding of a client’s
situation/context or chart a course of action within a specific context. Theories can also be understood as a set of
principles which inform how practice should be undertaken. All theories have strengths and
limitations. This may be the result of
the actual theory formulation but it can also be due to the context in which
the theory is applied, including the target population, the client ecological
system (micro, mezzo and macro) and the wider social, cultural and political
context. Use specific examples from the
field project to discuss in detail the strengths and limitations of the theory when
applied to your practice in the given context.
Conclusion
In
1-2 paragraphs, briefly summarize what was covered in this paper.
