Courses

In the course listings, the abbreviation ‘‘P’’ refers to prerequisite and ‘‘C’’ indicates corequisite courses. This bulletin lists only the social work prerequisite and corequisite courses. A list of the specific prerequisite and corequisite courses from the general and supportive area requirements needed for social work courses can be requested from the B.S.W. program office on the campus of your choice.

B.S.W.
  • SWK-S 102 Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society (3 cr.) P: or C Elementary Compositon. This course covers theories and models that enhance understanding of our diverse society. It provides content about differences and similarities in the experiences, needs and beliefs of selected minority groups and their relation to the majority group. These groups include, but are not limited to, people of color, women, gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons. This course analyzes the interrelationship of race, class, age, ethnicity, and gender and how these factors influence the social values regarding economic and social justice.
  • SWK-S 141 Introduction to Social Work (3 cr.) P: or C. Elementary Composition. This course is an introduction to the profession of social work and the philosophical, societal, and organizational contexts within which professional social work activities are conducted. It provides the opportunity for students to explore their interest in and potential for a career in social work. It introduces the knowledge, skills and values of social work as a profession and explores the role of social workers within the broad area of social welfare and social services.
  • SWK-S 221 Human Growth and Development in the Social Environment (3 cr.) This course assists the undergraduate social work student in building a foundation for understanding human behavior and development in diverse contexts across the life course. The course emphasizes the interdependence of dynamic interactions between a person and that individual’s environment, and thus introduces students to implications for human development through a person-in-environment lens.
  • SWK-S 251 History and Analysis of Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.) This course is designed to provide a historical perspective on the evolution of social welfare policies and programs and allow students to develop beginning policy analysis skills so that students will be able to identify gaps in the service delivery system and inequitable or oppressive aspects of current policy delivery. Students acquire knowledge of the prevailing social, political, ideological, and economic contexts that gave rise to the various social welfare policies and programs and have influenced how programs and policies have changed over time.
  • SWK-S 322 Small Group Theory and Practice (3 cr.) P: or C S221. The course examines the significance of the small group as both the context and means for social development of individuals and as a vehicle for generalist practice. It includes discussion of the individual as a member of a variety of groups, including the family. The course covers group theories as well as mezzo practice strategies. Generalist social work practice recognizes the importance of groups in the life of individuals and societies. Groups are one of the most important vehicles for the social development of the individual as well as one of the basic structures by which a society organizes itself.
  • SWK-S 331 Generalist Social Work Practice I: Theory and Skills (3 cr.) P: or C S221 & Elementary Composition. This course focuses primarily on the application of basic generalist social work skills that demonstrate an understanding and application of the continuum of social work practice in the helping relationship. The course focuses on the beginning phase of the problem-solving process and related skills. This course is designed to provide students with a beginning understanding of generalist social work practice. It uses a range of perspectives including strengths perspective, empowerment perspective and person-in-environment perspective.
  • SWK-S 332 Generalist Social Work Practice II: Theory and Skills (3 cr.) P: S331 & S251 Social Welfare Policy. P or C S322 & S352 This practice course examines the middle and ending phases of the helping process and related skills. Students explore the helping relationship with various client system sizes, impact of agency policies and procedures upon practice and resolution of clients' problems; practice evaluation.Generalist Social Work Practice II: Theory and Skills focuses primarily on application of basic social work skills that demonstrate understanding and application of the continuum of social work practice at the middle and ending phases of the helping relationship.
  • SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice s (3 cr.) P: S251. This second course in social welfare policy builds on S251 by exploring in depth the current social welfare delivery system through policy analysis using a variety of frameworks and developing policy practice skills. The course also develops beginning policy practice skills so that students will know how to work toward social change congruent with social work ethics and the profession’s commitment to social and economic justice.
  • SWK-S 371 Social Work Research (3 cr.) P: Junior standing according to the social work curriculum. The general goal of this basic social science research methods course is to introduce and develop skills needed to conceptualize a problem, make use of available literature, design a research strategy, evaluate, organize, and integrate relevant data (both existing and new), derive useful solutions based on knowledge, and communicate those solutions to clients and colleagues. The attainment of this goal will prepare students to continue their own professional education, contribute to the development of the profession as a whole, and maintain their service to clients at a standard commensurate with the current level of knowledge.
  • SWK-S 423 Organizational Theory and Practice (3 cr.) This course provides the theoretical and conceptual foundation for understanding organizational functioning and behavior, and introduces the knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice and leadership within an organizational context. The course assists the undergraduate social work student in building a knowledge base about organizations and organizational life from the perspective of consumers, practitioners, and leaders.
  • SWK-S 433 Community Behavior and Practice within a Generalist Perspective (3 cr.) P: All junior level social work courses. C. S472 & S482 This course provides the theoretical foundation for community functioning and behavior and the knowledge and skills of community interventions designed to mitigate social, political and economic injustice and bring social change. The orientation of this course is primarily based on systems theory, the ecological and strengths perspectives and concepts of conflict, power, empowerment, corporate domination, global interconnections, and advocacy.
  • SWK-S 472 Social Work Practice Evaluation (3 cr.) P: All 300 level courses. C: S423 & S482. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their own practice and the effectiveness of social service programs within which they work, as well as to become critical consumers of the professional literature to guide their practice. This course reviews a variety of evaluation designs, methodologies and techniques applicable to evaluating generalist social work practice. Attention is given to the social work practice continuum of problem definition, goal setting, intervention and evaluation of goal attainment.
  • SWK-S 481 Social Work Practicum I (6 cr.) P: All 300 level courses. P or C S423 & S442. Field education provides the opportunity for social work students to demonstrate competency in practice, integrating knowledge, values and skills gained in the professional education curriculum. The first practicum experience in the Bachelor of Social Work program allows the student to develop and demonstrate beginning practice competency, laying the foundation for the final field experience (S482). S481 Social Work Practicum I builds upon the theoretical and experiential learning of both S231 Generalist Social Work Practice I: Theory and Skills and S332 Generalist Social Work Practice II: Theory and Skills both taught during the Junior year. S481 Social Work Practicum I affords the student an opportunity to make application of practice knowledge, values, and skills within an organizational structure of a human service agency. In the agency settings, students are expected to demonstrate beginning competency in working with clients, utilizing community resources, interacting with other professionals, and in functioning effectively within an organization. Furthermore, students are expected to identify and work to alleviate (at a beginning level) oppressive conditions in the lives of their clients.
  • SWK-S 482 Social Work Practicum II (7 cr.) P: S481. P or C: S433 & S472. This course is the continuation of S481 agency-based field experience which provides opportunities for students to demonstrate the practice behaviors outlined in the competencies defined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in preparation for professional practice at the BSW level. Demonstration of competencies requires the application and integration of classroom concepts and principles and the development of skills for generalist practice.
  • SWK-S 442 Integrated Practice/Policy Seminar: Case Management (3 cr.)

    This course focuses the student upon a specific field of social work practice in increased depth, provides further opportunity for synthesis of student learning from previous courses, and seeks to integrate social welfare policies and policy analysis with social work practice. Students will be expected to integrate the theoretical content from previous coursework and the content presented in this course with opportunities for practical application. The course emphasizes the value base of social work practice and its commitment to social and economic justice as students identify and analyze ethical dilemmas found in generalist practice. Students will be expected to explore the recent literature to build knowledge for the demonstration of research-informed practice in a specific area such as Addictions, Children & Families, Mental Health, Aging and Health Care.

M.S.W.
Ph.D.
Labor Studies Courses
  • LSTU-L 100 Survey of Unions and Collective Bargaining (3 cr.) This course includes coverage of historical development, labor law basics, and contemporary issues. It also discusses a survey of labor unions in the United States, focusing on their organization and their representational, economic, and political activities.
  • LSTU-L 101 American Labor History (3 cr.) This course explores the struggles of working people to achieve dignity and security from social, economic, and political perspectives. It also explores a survey of the origin and development of unions and the labor movement from colonial times to the present.
  • LSTU-L 104 Labor History (3 cr.) This course serves as an orientation for the study of labor history. It explores both critical and historical methodologies based on primary and secondary sources, biases, and interpretations. Discussions focus on selective questions and events.
  • LSTU-L 110 Introduction to Labor Studies: Labor and Society (3 cr.) This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary and advocacy approach of labor studies. Exploring labor’s role in society, the class will look at how unions have changed the lives of working people and contributed to better social policies. Discussions will highlight the relationship of our work lives to our non-work lives and will look at U.S. labor relations in a comparative framework.
  • LSTU-L 200 Survey of Employment Law (3 cr.) This course explores statutes and common-law actions protecting income, working conditions, and rights of workers. Topics include workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, fair labor standards, Social Security, retirement income protection, and privacy and other rights.
  • LSTU-L 201 Labor Law (3 cr.) This course reviews a survey of the law governing labor-management relations. Topics include the legal framework of collective bargaining, problems in the administration and enforcement of agreements, and protection of individual employee rights.
  • LSTU-L 203 Labor and the Political System (3 cr.) This course examines federal, state, and local governmental effects on workers, unions, and labor-management relations; political goals; influences on union choices of strategies and modes of political participation, past and present; relationships with community and other groups.
  • LSTU-L 205 Contemporary Labor Problems (3 cr.) This course examines some of the major problems confronting society, workers, and the labor movement. Topics may include automation, unemployment, international trade, environmental problems, minority and women’s rights, community relations, and changing government policies.
  • LSTU-L 210 Workplace Discrimination and Fair Employment (3 cr.) This course examines policies and practices that contribute to workplace discrimination and those designed to eliminate it. It explores effects of job discrimination and occupational segregation. It analyzes Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and related topics in relation to broader strategies for addressing discrimination.
  • LSTU-L 220 Grievance Representation (3 cr.) This course looks at union representation in the workplace. It evaluates uses of grievance procedures to address problems and administer the collective bargaining agreement. It also explores analyses of relevant labor law and the logic applied by arbitrators to grievance decisions. Students learn about the identification, research, presentation, and writing of grievance cases.
  • LSTU-L 230 Labor and the Economy (3 cr.) This course analyzes aspects of the political economy of labor and the role of organized labor within it. It emphasizes the effect on workers, unions, collective bargaining of unemployment, investment policy, changes in technology and corporate structure. It also explores patterns of union political and bargaining responses.
  • LSTU-L 231 Globalization and Labor (3 cr.) This course explores the globalization of trade, production, and migration and the effects of these processes on American Workers. Through reading, discussion, and problem formation, students will critically think about the ways global processes and polices impact American Workers’ daily lives, analyze existing historical and current justifications of offshore production and the dismantling of barriers to trade and investment, and explore alternatives to these policies.
  • LSTU-L 240 Occupational Health and Safety (3 cr.) This course reviews elements and issues of occupational health and safety. It emphases the union’s role in the implementation of workplace health and safety programs, worker and union rights, hazard recognition techniques, and negotiated and statutory remedies—in particular the OSHA Act of 1970.
  • LSTU-L 250 Collective Bargaining (3 cr.) This course emphasizes development and organization of collective bargaining in the United States, including union preparation for negotiations; bargaining patterns and practices; strategy and tactics; economic and legal considerations.
  • LSTU-L 251 Collective Bargaining Laboratory (1-3 cr.) L250 is either a prerequisite or a corequisite. This course provides collective bargaining simulations and other participatory experiences in conjunction with L250.
  • LSTU-L 255 Unions in State and Local Government (3 cr.) This course explores union organization and representation of state and municipal government employees, including patterns in union structure, collective bargaining, grievance representation, and applicable law.
  • LSTU-L 260 Leadership and Representation (3 cr.)

    This course evaluates organizational leadership issues for union, community, and other advocate organizations. It analyzes leadership styles, membership recruitment, and leadership development. It examines the role of leaders in internal governance and external affairs, including committee building, delegation, negotiations, and coalition building.

  • LSTU-L 270 Union Government and Organization (3 cr.)

    This course provides an analysis of the growth, composition, structure, behavior, and governmental processes of U.S. labor organizations, from the local to the national federation level. It considers the influence on unions of industrial and political environments to organizational behavior in different types of unions and to problems in union democracy.

  • LSTU-L 280 Union Organizing (3 cr.)

    This course explores various approaches and problems in private- and public-sector organizing. Traditional approaches are evaluated in light of structural changes in labor markets and workforce demographics. Topics range from targeting and assessments to committee building and leadership development.

  • LSTU-L 290 Topics in Labor Studies (3 cr.) This is a variable-title courses which offer an array of topics, which include Bringing Human Rights Home to Indiana; Family Medical Leave Act; Citizenship and Social Change, Labor Journalism, Labor and Global Warming; Latin American Issues in Global Society; Preventing Sexual Harassment; Women and Development; and Preventing Workplace Violence.
  • LSTU-L 314 Ethical Dilemmas in the Workplace (3 cr.) This course examines how work is organized and how jobs are evaluated, measured, and controlled. It explores social and technical elements of work through theories of scientific management, the human relations school of management, and contemporary labor process literature
  • LSTU-L 315 The Organization of Work (3 cr.) This course examines how work is organized and how jobs are evaluated, measured, and controlled. It explores social and technical elements of work through theories of scientific management, the human relations school of management, and contemporary labor process literature.
  • LSTU-L 320 Grievance Arbitration (3 cr.) Recommended only after L220 or with permission of instructor.

    This course explores the legal and practical context of grievance arbitration, and its limitations and advantages in resolving workplace problems. Varieties of arbitration clauses and the status of awards are also explored. Students analyze research, and prepare and present cases in mock arbitration hearings.

  • LSTU-L 330 Global Comparisons: Labor Relations Examples from Three Continents (3 cr.) This Course uses a political economy framework to explore and compare countries’ systems of labor relations, drawing from at least three continents. It analyzes the diverse approaches to the structure of twenty-first century labor law and social policy. It focuses on the role of organized labor in the global economy, patterns of breakdowns in the enforcement of labor and employment law, and union nonunion political and bargaining responses.
  • LSTU-L 331 Global Problems, Local Solutions (3 cr.) This course addresses local manifestations of global problems confronting society, workers, and the labor movement. Students will cooperatively analyze issues, propose potential solutions, and engage in activities or practices that address globally driven local issues. Students will identify governmental, non-governmental, and charitable organizations that aid in ameliorating local problems.
  • LSTU-L 350 Issues in Collective Bargaining (3 cr.)

    This course includes readings and discussions on selected problems. A research paper is usually required.

  • LSTU-L 360 Union Administration and Development (1-3 cr.)

    This course covers practical and theoretical perspectives on strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational decision making. It addresses the needs and problems of union leaders by studying organizational change, staff development, and cohesiveness within a diverse workforce. This course may be repeated for up to 3 credits with department approval.

  • LSTU-L 370 Labor and Religion (3 cr.) This course examines the relationship between religion and the labor movements as it has developed in the United States over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will analyze the approach taken by religious institutions concerning workers’ issues and assess the tradition in which workers of faith connect to more secular concerns for social and economic justice.
  • LSTU-L 380 Theories of the Labor Movement (3 cr.)

    This course examines various perspectives on the origin, development, and goals of organized labor. Theories include those that view the labor movement as a business union institution, an agent for social reform, a revolutionary force, a psychological reaction to industrialization, a moral force, and an unnecessary intrusion.

  • LSTU-L 385 Class, Race, Gender, and Work (3 cr.)

    This course provides a historical overview of the impact and interplay of class, race, and gender on shaping U.S. labor markets, organizations, and policies. It examines union responses and strategies for addressing class, race, and gender issues.

  • LSTU-L 410 Comparative Labor Movements (3 cr.)

    This course uses historical, analytical, and comparative perspectives to examine labor movements and labor relations in industrial societies. It also emphasizes interactions between unions and political organizations, national labor policies, the resolution of workplace problems, the organization of white collar employees, and the issues of worker control and codetermination.

  • LSTU-L 420 Labor Studies Internship (1-6 cr.)

    This course applies classroom knowledge in the field.

    May be repeated for up to a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • LSTU-L 430 Labor Research Methods (3 cr.)

    This course focuses on the study of research design, methods, techniques, and procedures applicable to research problems in labor studies.

  • LSTU-L 480 Senior Seminar or Readings (3 cr.)

    This course can be used as a classroom seminar or directed reading course. It addresses current issues, historical developments, and other labor-related concerns. Topics may vary each semester.

  • LSTU-L 490 Topics in Labor Studies (1-3 cr.)

    This is a variable-title course. Some courses focus on contemporary or special areas of labor studies. Others are directed toward specific categories of employees and labor organizations. Inquire at Labor Studies offices.

    L490 can be repeated for credit with different subjects. The transcript will show a different subtitle each time the course is taken.
  • LSTU-L 495 Directed Labor Study (1-6 cr.)

    This is a variable credit course. Students arrange to study with an individual labor studies faculty member, designing a course of study to suit their individual and varied needs and interests. The contract might include reading, directed application of prior course work, tutorials, or internships. Competencies are assessed through written papers, projects, reports, or interviews.

    May be taken for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • LSTU-L 390 Topics in Labor Studies (3 cr.) This is a variable-title course which offer an array of topics, which include Bringing Human Rights Home to Indiana; Family Medical Leave Act; Citizenship and Social Change, Labor Journalism, Labor and Global Warming; Latin American Issues in Global Society; Preventing Sexual Harassment; Women and Development; and Preventing Workplace Violence.

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