Critical Thinking and Case Scenarios

Assignment
Description
Assignment provides an opportunity for you to explore and express your ideas, values, perspectives, and experiences related to new concepts or perspectives provided in the course material and readings. Complete the Critical Reflection topics after you have completed each module.
Write all your responses in one word processing file and ensure that you title your response with the question number and question so the Open Learning Faculty Member can more easily assess your work.
You can view the grading rubric below. Assignment 1 is due at the end of Module 4.

What Is Critical Thinking?
Your Critical Reflections require critical thinking.
The most significant and important learning we experience is through self- discovery (Hubbs & Brand, 2005). “Journalling, as a learning strategy, provides opportunities for [you] to mull over ideas, uncover inner secrets, and piece together life’s unconnected threads, thus creating a fertile ground for the significant learning to take place (Hubbs & Brand, 2005). The Critical Reflection Journal provides a vehicle for inner dialogue that connects thoughts, feelings, and actions. The journal provides an opportunity to make conscious your automatic and habitual ways of thinking and acting (preconceptions about reality) and to question the foundations and prior learning that has gone into the formation of your given beliefs.
Critical thinking is an important component of being a reflective and reflexive social work professional. Critical thinking requires four key components:

1. Identifying the assumptions that frame our thinking and determine our actions
2. Checking out the degree to which these assumptions are accurate and valid
3. Looking at our ideas and decisions (intellectual, organizational, and personal) from several different perspectives, and

Assignment 1: Critical Reflection Topics
1.1 Social Activism and Social Justice
After viewing the video Jane Addams: Hull House write between 200 and 300 words describing a contemporary social activist in your community, region, province, or country. Who are they? (Do not name them directly if there could be negative consequences.) What are the social injustices to which they are trying to bring attention? What are their methods of creating social change? Provide a personal reflection on your perception of the role of social activism in social work.

1.2 Social Work in Your Community
Write between 200 and 300 words in your response about your walk around your community. Use the questions in Activity 1E: Social Work in Your Community to describe some aspects of the community.
Critically think about your observations and make note of any emerging thoughts about generalist social work, activities associated with “helping” and “social justice”. Include any new reflections or awareness about what social workers do and who they work with.

2.1 Ethical Choices
Write between 200 and 400 words in your response.
Choose one of the case scenarios presented at the end of Mary Harber-Iles’ article: Important Concepts in Social Work Ethics: Respect, Self-Determination, Confidentiality, Empowerment, and Social Control.
Apply the framework identified at the end of Kevin Stanford’s Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma article to the case scenario.
Ensure that you refer to the values and principles identified in the CASW/ACTS Guidelines for Ethical Practice document in your analysis.

3.1 Karen’s Roles in “Case Study: A Day (and Night) in the Life of a Social Worker”
Choosing one of the case studies in your response, describe one role that Karen used in her work and answer the nine bulleted questions. Use your answers to the questions provided in Activity 3B to guide your reflection. Write between 200 and 300 words in your response.
• What goals was Karen attempting to achieve by using the role?
• To what extent were they met (outcome evaluation)?
• What else was accomplished by using the role?
• How well did Karen perform her role (evaluation of process)?
• How would you describe Karen’s relationship with the persons she was working with?
• How did Karen use her professional relationship? Was it appropriate to the role?
• Did she show understanding and empathy?
• What did Karen do that was most effective?
• What could she have done to have been even more effective?
4.1 Theory in Practice
Write between 200 and 300 words in your response describing one of the situations that Karen is involved in the reading “Case Study: A Day (and Night) in the Life of a Social Worker”.
• Which theories, perspectives, or approaches does Karen use?
• What alternative approaches could she have used?
• How does Karen draw upon micro, mezzo, or macro knowledge?
• Does Karen apply structural or anti-oppressive practices?