Full Time Faculty

Terry Wolfer, PhD
Associate Professor
329 Desaussure
College of Social Work
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208

Phone: (803) 777-9486
Fax: (803) 777-3498
e-mail: terry.wolfer@sc.edu

Educational Background:

BA, Concordia College, Seward, NE
MSW, Ohio State University
Ph.D., University of Chicago

Research Interests:

Faith-based social services
Case method teaching
Violence and trauma.

Selected Publications:

Refereed articles

Garland, D. R., Myers, D. R., & Wolfer, T. A. (In press.) Social work with religious volunteers: Activating and sustaining community involvement. Social Work.

Wolfer, T. A., & Hodge, D. R. (In press). Epistemology and social work: Toward a Christian critique. Social Work & Christianity.

Sherr, M. E., Garland, D. R., & Wolfer, T. A. (In press). The role of community service in the faith development of adolescents. Journal of Youth Ministry.

Wolfer, T. A., & Gray, K. A. (2007). Teaching policy advocacy: Case method and a decision case. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 27(1/2), 37-59.

Hugen, B., Wolfer, T. A., & Renkema, J. U. (2006). Service and faith: The impact on Christian faith of community ministry participation. Review of Religious Research, 47(4), 409-426.

Garland, D. R., O’Connor, M. K., Wolfer, T. A., & Netting, F. E. (2006). Team based research: Notes from the field. Qualitative Social Work, 5(1), 93-109

Gray, K. A., Wolfer, T. A., & Maas, C. (2005). The decision case method: Teaching and training for grassroots community organizing. Journal of Community Practice, 13(1), 105-120.

Sherr, M. E., & Wolfer, T. A. (2004). Teaching content on social work practice with religious congregations: A curriculum module. Advances in Social Work, 5(2): 197-210.

Runnion, V. M., & Wolfer, T. A. (2004). Relationship disruption in adults with cognitive disabilities. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 85(2), 205-213.

Welsh, M. F., & Wolfer, T. A. (2003). Plagiarism or innovation: Doing research at the on-line library (Parts A, B & C). Case Research Journal, 23(4), 49-60.

Hugen, B., Wolfer, T. A., Garland, D., Myers, D., Sherwood, D. A., & Sheridan, P. (2003). Reconceptualizing faith and its relation to community ministry: A model of faith practices. Social Work & Christianity, 30(3), 234-255.

Sherr, M. E., & Wolfer, T. A. (2003). Preparing social work students for practice with religious congregations within the context of Charitable Choice: The Grace House Ministry. Social Work & Christianity, 30(2), 129-142.

Wolfer, T. A. (2003). Decision cases for Christians in social work: Introduction to the special issue. Social Work & Christianity, 30(2), 103-116.

Wolfer, T. A., & Johnson, M. M. (2003). Re-evaluating student evaluation of teaching: The Teaching Evaluation Form. Journal of Social Work Education, 39(1), 111-121.

Busch, N. B., & Wolfer, T. A. (2002). Battered women speak out: Welfare reform and their decisions to disclose. Violence Against Women, 8(5), 566-584.

Wolfer, T. A., Carney, M. M., & Ward, J. (2002). Acquiring videoconferencing technology to enhance the field work experience. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 19(4), 43-63.

Wolfer, T. A., Freeman, M., & Rhodes, R. (2001). Developing and teaching an M.S.W. capstone course using case methods of instruction. Advances in Social Work, 2(2), 156-171.

Moon, S. S., Wolfer, T. A., & Robinson, M. M. (2001). Culturally-based Korean American family conflict, and how churches can help: An exploratory survey. Social Work & Christianity, 28, 106-123.

Barrett, M. D., & Wolfer, T. A. (2001). Reducing anxiety through a structured writing program: A single-system evaluation. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 82, 355-362.

Wolfer, T. A. (2000). Coping with chronic community violence: Varieties and implications of women’s efforts. Victims and Violence, 15, 283-301.

Thornburgh, G., & Wolfer, T. A. (2000). Megachurch involvement in community social ministry: Extent and effects in three congregations. Social Work & Christianity, 27, 130-149 [Republished in Sherwood, D. A. (ed.). (2001). Charitable Choice: The challenge and opportunity for faith‑based community services (pp. 130-149). Botsford, CT: North American Association of Christians in Social Work.].

Wolfer, T. A. (1999). ‘It happens all the time’: Overcoming the limits of memory and method for chronic community violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14, 1070-1094.

Taylor, K. G., & Wolfer, T. A. (1999). Social work as a vocation: Balancing ministry and profession. Social Work and Christianity, 26, 112-125.

Books and chapters

Wolfer, T. A., & Runnion, V. M. (In press). Dying, death and bereavement in social work practice: Decision cases for advanced practice. New York: Columbia University Press.

Scales, T. L., & Wolfer, T. A. (Eds.). (2006). Decision cases for generalist social work practice: Thinking like a social worker. Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson—Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Scales, T. L., & Wolfer, T. A. (2006). Instructor’s manual with teaching notes: Decision cases for generalist social work practice: Thinking like a social worker. Available at http://www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20bI&product_isbn_issn=0534521940&discipline_number=4.

Wolfer, T. A., & Scales, T. L. (Eds.). (2006). Decision cases for advanced social work practice: Thinking like a social worker. Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson—Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Wolfer, T. A., & Scales, T. L. (2006). Instructor’s manual with teaching notes: Decision cases for advanced social work practice: Thinking like a social worker. Available at http://www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20bI&product_isbn_issn=0534521967&discipline_number=4.

Wolfer, T. A. (Ed.). (2003). Decision cases for Christians in social work: Religious faith and social work practice [special issue]. Social Work & Christianity, 30(2).

Wolfer, T. A., & Sherr, M. (2003). The role of religious congregations in American life. In T. Tirrito & T. Cascio (Eds.), Religious organizations in community services (pp. 23-49). New York: Springer Publishing.

Scales, T. L., Wolfer, T. A., Sherwood, D. A., Garland, D. R., Hugen, B., & Pittman, S. (Eds.). (2002). Spirituality and religion in social work: A source book of decision cases. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education.

Selected Presentations:

Wolfer, T. A. (2007, November). ‘Thinking like a social worker’: Using case method teaching in social work education. Faculty development workshop presented at University of Texas School of Social Work, Austin, TX.

Wolfer, T. A., Myers, D., & Garland, D. R. (2007, November). How congregational volunteers understand the relationship between evangelism and community ministry. Paper presented at annual conference of Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action, Atlanta, GA.

Scales, T. L., & Wolfer, T. A. (2007, October). Meet the authors [Decision cases for advanced social work practice: Thinking like a social worker and Decision cases for generalist social work practice: Thinking like a social worker]. Panel discussion at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, San Francisco, CA.

Wolfer, T. A., & del Pilar, K. (2007, July). Ten Thousand Villages: Partnering with artisans to overcome poverty. Paper presented at Radical Christian Innovations in Social Work and Social Welfare (Trinity Christian College Symposium on Christian Scholarship), Chicago, IL.

Wolfer, T. A., & Hodge, D. R. (2006, October). Rethinking client self determination in social work: A Christian perspective. Paper presented at annual convention of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, Philadelphia, PA.

Hodge, D. R., & Wolfer, T. A. (2006, July). Tolerance: The imago Dei as an imperative for social workers. Paper presented at seminar on Integrating Christian Faith and Social Work Practice: A Working Conference (Calvin College Seminar in Christian Scholarship), Grand Rapids, MI.

Wolfer, T. A., & Hodge, D. R. (2006, July). Rethinking client self determination in social work: A Christian perspective. Paper presented at Integrating Christian Faith and Social Work Practice: A Working Conference (Calvin College Seminar in Christian Scholarship), Grand Rapids, MI.

Wolfer, T. A. (2006, February). ‘Thinking like a social worker’: Using case method teaching in social work education. Faculty development workshop presented at Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, NY.

Reitmeier, M., & Wolfer, T. A. (2006, February). Identifying learning outcomes in a social work case method course: Graduate student perspectives. Paper presented at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, Chicago, IL.

Marshall, D., & Wolfer, T. A. (2006, February). Case method learning processes and outcomes: How student perceptions change over time. Paper presented at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, Chicago, IL.

Garland, D. R., Myers, D., & Wolfer, T. A. (2005, November). Consequences of community service in the lives of congregational volunteers: Self-reported outcomes. Paper presented at annual conference of Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action, Washington, DC.

Wolfer, T. A. (2005, November). ‘Thinking like a social worker’: Using case method teaching in social work education. Faculty development workshop presented at University of Iowa School of Social Work, Iowa City, IA.

Reitmeier, M., & Wolfer, T. A. (2005, October). Identifying learning outcomes in a social work case method course: Graduate student perspectives. Poster session presented at annual meeting of North American Case Research Association meeting, Cape Cod, MA.

Marshall, D., & Wolfer, T. A. (2005, October). Case method learning processes and outcomes: How student perceptions change over time. Poster session presented at annual meeting of North American Case Research Association meeting, Cape Cod, MA.

Wolfer, T., & Hodge, D. (2005, October). A research agenda for Christians in social work: Preliminary thoughts and questions. Paper presented at annual convention of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, Grand Rapids, MI.

Wolfer, T. A. (2005, September). Spirituality and religion in social work practice. Continuing education workshop presented for the National Association of Social Workers–Tennessee Chapter at Nashville, TN.

Wolfer, T. A., & Welsh, M. (2005, February). ‘Thinking like a practitioner’ (II): Writing decision cases for case method teaching. Curriculum workshop presented at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, New York, NY.

Wolfer, T. A., & Welsh, M. (2005, February). ‘Thinking like a practitioner’ (I): Using case method teaching in social work education. Faculty Development Institute presented at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, New York, NY.

Garland, D., Myers, D., & Wolfer, T. A. (2005, January). Congregational volunteers: What motivates, sustains, and limits their involvement in community service programs? Paper presented at annual conference of Society for Social Work and Research, Miami, FL.

Garland, D. R., & Wolfer, T. A. (2004, November). Congregational volunteers in community service programs: What motivates, sustains, and limits their involvement? Paper presented at annual conference of Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action, Los Angeles, CA.

Wolfer, T. A., & Hodge, D. (2004, October). Epistemology and social work: Toward a Christian critique. Paper presented at annual convention of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, Arlington, VA.

Service:

Editor, Aretê (2005- )

Editorial board member, Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care (2005- )

Editorial board member, Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought (2005- )

Associate Editor, Social Work & Christianity (2004- )

Book Review Editor, Social Work & Christianity (1999- )

Honors and Awards:

C. R. Christensen Award for the Outstanding Teaching Case from North American Case Research Association, October 9, 2004 (with Michael Welsh)

Links:

Curriculum Vitae (in Adobe Acrobat)