200. Foundations of Social Work (4)
The development, skills, knowledge and perspectives of the Social Work profession. Students will be introduced to concepts fundamental to understanding the helping professions’ efforts on behalf of vulnerable populations. Includes history, practice settings, professional roles, agencies, political implications, and values/ethics related to social work careers. Includes a required service learning project. SPRING.
314 Professional Writing and Documentation (4)
This course will expose students to the agency-based expectations associated with professional social work practice, while developing professional writing skills focused on simulated client situations and grant writing. Special attention will be given to structure of documents, appropriate information to include in documents, and the social worker's role in the documentation process. In addition, APA formatting and basic literary structure will be integrated throughout the course.
325. Diversity: Inequality, Privilege and Oppression (4)
The dynamics of diversity and difference in American society. The impact of human differences such as age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation on life chances, including discrimination and oppression outcomes will be studied. FALL.
330. Human Behavior in the Social Environment (4)
Study of the person in her/his environment using models of human behavior focusing on the interaction between persons and the social systems they encounter throughout maturation. Knowledge about persons as biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual creatures is integrated as the “person” is followed through the life cycle. Special attention will be given to the interactions and systems as they relate to and affect Social Work practice with a variety of populations, including those experiencing ethnic, racial, and age-based discrimination. (Prerequisite: SOCW 200). SPRING.
331. Selected Topics in Social Work (2-4)
Topics not included in the regular course offerings. Topic and prerequisite specified in semester course schedule. May be repeated with different topics. OFFERED AS NEEDED.
333. Social Welfare Policy and Services (4)
The development and implementation of social welfare policies from historical, political, and philosophical frameworks. How does a society decide: who should be served, when, how much, and in what fashion? How does this reflect the society’s perspectives about “others” in their world who may be poor or otherwise disadvantaged? What actions are chosen and why? FALL.
336. Generalist Social Work Practice Methods I (Individuals and Families) (4)
Theoretical foundations of generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Focus on case-management skills; assessment, goal-setting, intervention, termination, and practice evaluation in a systemic, Person-in-Environment context. Special attention to work with diverse and vulnerable populations. (Prerequisite: SOCW 200, 330 and admission to the Social Work program). FALL.
337. Generalist Social Work Practice Methods II (Groups, Communities and Organizations) (4)
Theoretical foundations of generalist social work practice with groups, communities, and organizations. Group dynamics concepts used to apply problem-solving methods for treatment and task groups. Community organization emphasized as a viable practice method. Close relationship between community and organizations explored through concepts of empowerment, control, mobilization, collective action and problem-solving. (Prerequisite: SOCW 336). SPRING.
382. Trauma Across the Lifespan (4)
This course prepares for the demands of professional exposure to trauma related topics, to better prepare them for common symptom presentation, generational trauma exposure, developmental trauma. Explore and examine diagnosis of and common treatments for simple and complex trauma.
390 Social Work Research Methods (4)
This course provides an overview of the primary methodologies used in social research in the human service professions. This is accomplished through lectures and experiential learning in developing a research proposal that demonstrates practical knowledge and application of techniques for problem formation, research design, sampling, measurement, data collection, and introduces basic analytic skills appropriate for quantitative and qualitative data.
404. Modern Social Work Theory (4)
Major theoretical systems used in current social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Application to special populations will be included. (Prerequisite: SOCW 337, Senior standing, departmental permission). FALL.
405. Capstone: Senior Social Work (2)
Culminating course in social work that synthesizes theory, research, policy, and practice methods. Students produce documents that combine research and analysis applied to practice in the field. Understanding of social work concepts and readiness/competency to begin the professional social work practice must be demonstrated. (Prerequisite: Senior standing, departmental permission | Co-requisites: SOCW 496). FALL, SPRING.
495. Social Work Practicum I (5)
With 496, two consecutive semesters of supervised practicum consisting of a minimum of 400 hours in an approved social work setting. Requires weekly seminars on campus. Social Work majors only. (Prerequisites: SOC 337, permission of Social Work program director).
496. Social Work Practicum II (5)
Continuation of 495. (Prerequisite: SOCW 495). FALL, SPRING.
