Dialogue+Assignment

=Dialogue Assignment for SK522 Social Work Practice with Individuals Deena Mandell=

**//*NOTE: Feedback of any kind about this assignment would be greatly appreciated *//**
This is a written submission of approximately 10 pages that consists of a fictional dialogue between two characters on a subject related to the course. Several weeks earlier, each student will submit a page-long (approximately) statement of the subject of the dialogue, whose ‘voices’ will be represented in it, why you chose this topic and what you would like to learn through this exercise, what kind of reading you think you will need to do in order to complete the assignment successfully. This written plan will be worth 10% of the grade for this assignment and will give you feedback at an early stage.
 * Written Assignment #1:**

With regard to the assignment itself: Rather than a debate, in which one character ‘wins’ or ‘loses’, where one is proven ‘right’ and the other ‘wrong’, the purpose of this exercise is for the characters to understand each other and, in so doing, to achieve a shared understanding (broader and richer than each one’s initial position) of the subject/issues. One of the characters will be a professor, public speaker or social work professional or student colleague whom you have encountered; the other will be you or someone you know or imagine (eg., the author of an article in the course, a skeptical student, etc.).

Basic Standards: Typed, double-spaced; correct grammar and spelling, coherent structure (organization), appropriate and properly referenced according to APA format as needed. You are expected to attend the Writing Workshops for MSW Students and/or consult appropriate references in order to meet these standards.

Evaluation: Assignments will be evaluated on the following elements of scholarship, in addition to the basic standards above: You will be expected to demonstrate: a) a grasp of the complexity of the issues related to the subject; b) the ability to build nuanced understanding through dialogue, i.e. through careful attention, openness to/respect for and responsiveness to the view/position of another;c) a level of critical analysis and self reflection appropriate to the first term in the MSW program.Evidence of these processes will be sought in the development of ideas through the dialogue process. Detailed guidelines will be provided once the term is underway [see below], and we will do some preparatory related exercises in class.

Assignment plan: Due Sept. 29. Worth 10% of the grade for this assignment Dialogue: Due Nov. 4 or earlier. Worth 90% of this assignment Together, this assignment will be 50% of the overall grade for the course.

Subjects about which the characters may conduct their dialogue (choose the one that interests, challenges, concerns, or puzzles you most): Holding a MSW degree should mean that one is a professional with specific skills and expertise, or else what is it good for? Social workers have less status than doctors, lawyers, and psychologists despite their advanced professional degrees. Why is that, and is it justified? Community or policy is a more meaningful way to put commitment to social justice into action than individual or family practice. Emphasizing the common humanity and universal values that people share is more useful for social justice than emphasizing the differences. OR You may select a subject of your own, with written approval from the instructor.Submit your suggestion in writing prior to beginning work on your assignment plan.
 * Dialogue Assignment Guidelines**

1. Explain why you chose the particular subject and what you expect to learn through doing the assignment. In order to develop the dialogue coherently, you will most likely find it helpful to do some additional background reading on the subject of your choice. Outline what reading or other research you plan to do (you do not need to list specific texts or authors; rather, you should be delineating the scope of the research that will be needed for your characters to “speak” intelligently. Be realistic in establishing this dimension of your assignment; in order to do that, you will need to establish your objectives carefully. The Plan should be approximately 1 page in length. Guidelines for the Dialogue (Part 2). 2. Give a brief profile (minimum, a paragraph or two) of each character outlining the intellectual/theoretical/political position from which they begin and how you have become aware of their respective positions (i.e. through reading, discussion, lectures, etc). Be sure to use appropriate citation if you paraphrase or quote a published author or a lecturer. 3. Each character should offer some general information, either as part of the introductory profile or through the course of the dialogue, about why s/he takes the particular position s/he does, i.e. influences of experience, ideas, values, religion, theory, education, nationality, social location, etc., explaining the ‘connection’ rather than merely naming it. 4. Evidence of background reading and its advantageous application to the dialogue will be considered in the evaluation of the assignment. One way to do this is to give a brief summary of any background reading you do, explaining (in a sentence or two) what each item read added to your learning. Another way is to have the characters refer to the reading, but be careful that the dialogue doesn’t turn into an essay divided into two speakers’ utterances. Any other creative, effective way you come up with will be acceptable if it fulfills the purpose. 5. With reference to your original learning expectations (#1 above) reflect on whether the assignment was helpful in meeting the objective or not, and why/why not.
 * Guidelines for the Plan (Part 1):**