Teaching Clinical Sociology: The Introductory Course

This paper discusses the aims and format of an introductory course in clinical sociology . It reviews the process of teaching clinical sociology as a profession and teaching the theoretical basis that distinguishes the field. Case studies, guest practitioners, and practical exercises are used to prompt an application and integration of the acquired knowledge. Ideally, the course reviewed here can serve as a model for others devising courses in this emerging field or for those attempting to bring some uniformity to the clinical sociology curriculum. Clinical sociology has a long history, but only within the last five years or so have courses emerged to teach its theory and practice. With the founding of the Clinical Sociology Association in 1978 and the increasing popularity of applied sociology, many colleges and universities across the country have adopted courses in this field. As yet, no uniform clinical sociology curriculum has been established. However, standards for content and teaching method may be warranted as the field moves toward increasing professionalization. Licensing authorities, clients, and contractors are increasingly likely to expect a certain knowledge base from the clinical sociologists whom they certify or employ. This paper reviews the content and process of a clinical sociology course as one model for a clinical sociology curriculum. The course, currently entitled "Clinical Sociological Theory," presents an introduction to the field as part of a recently established clinical sociology program. This course, with its emphasis on theory, is the first of a sequence of three courses required of sociology majors concentrating in the department's clinical sociology program, as opposed to its general sociology or applied research program. The clinical theory course is followed by a course in clinical methods that focuses on individual, group and family counseling; and a course in social Correspondence to. Edward W. Gondolf, Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705.