The Power of Perspective: Teaching Social Policy with Documentary Film

AIDS has challenged the social work community to be responsive to work with individuals who are facing death and families and significant others who are undergoing feelings of loss and grief. This article discusses teaching content and methodology in each of three integrated sessions that go beyond the traditional, didactic approach to the topic of death in a graduate social work practice course. Students examine their attitudes and reactions to death and dying and develop relevant knowledge, skills and coping behavior for work with persons with AIDS, their lovers and families.