Courses
B.S.W. Social Work Courses
- SWK-S 102 Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society (3 cr.) 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.) 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 201 Introduction to Case Management (3 cr.) Given current changing demographics, complex social problems, human service providers will serve a more diverse and perhaps more vulnerable population. A large number of clients will find it challenging to access the maze of increasingly decentralized social services. Case management may help to address some of these issues. This course will introduce various case management models and the roles and functions of case managers. It will highlight the nature of client participation and the mutuality of the helping process. Ethics and ethical dilemmas will be addressed. Skills for client centered, culturally competent case management will be explored.
- SWK-S 221 Human Growth and Development in the Social Environment onment I: Individual Functioning (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 280 Introduction to Field Experience (1-3 cr.) P: consent of the instructor. Introductory field experience for testing interest in a social work career.
- SWK-S 300 Contemporary Issues in Domestic Violence (3 cr.) This course will explore contemporary issues related to domestic violence, also known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Students will review the history of the movement to end domestic violence. Theories of the cause of domestic violence will be surveyed along with local, state, federal and international public policy issues. Prevention and intervention models relevant to social work and other helping professions will be explored, as well as community level practice and contemporary research issues.
- SWK-S 301 Computer Technology for Social Workers (3 cr.) Students may use this course to fulfill the computer course requirements for the undergraduate program or as an elective. This course is geared primarily for students with a low to moderate understanding of computers technology. It provides the student with the beginning level skills and knowledge necessary to function professionally in this technologically-based age. In addition, students in this course will explore how this information technology can be used in an appropriate manner so that the needs of clients and colleagues are honored in light of emerging standards for practice.
- SWK-S 302 Law, Inequality and Poverty (3 cr.) In 1996, Congress passed and President Clinton signed a welfare reform bill that represented a sharp break from the past. This course analyzes the origins of the law and its initial outcomes. The course will review social science and legal thinking about welfare programs and policies, emphasizing how they are influenced by and how they affect trends in the labor market and family structure.
- SWK-S 305 Child Abuse and Neglect (3 cr.) This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to child abuse and neglect from psychological, social, cultural, legal, and economic perspectives. Social workers in all professional work settings must know how to identify child maltreatment and family violence. Students must also be able to practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to the clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Students will learn the family dynamics and indicators of maltreatment and effective interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro level, with an emphasis on strengths based, family-centered intervention strategies.
- SWK-S 306 Crisis Intervention (3 cr.) This is an elective, issue-oriented course at the undergraduate level offered as part of the Certificate in Case Management. This course focuses on the increasing number of complex and painful personal, couple and family crisis situations encountered by professional social workers in the course of service delivery. Crisis events are characterized by high stress responses in one or more persons within a short period of time, usually in response to some difficult social, interpersonal, intrapsychic, medical or developmental triggering events.
- SWK-S 307 Grief and Loss across the Life Span (3 cr.) This is an elective web-based course that will explore the complex components of grief and loss throughout the life span from an ecological and strength based theoretical perspective. The focus of the course will be to increase understanding, knowledge and compassion related to the impact of grief and loss on individuals, families, and communities at large. In addition, the course gives students an opportunity to explore and understand their perceptions and beliefs on death and dying, and how individual cultural differences influence that experience.
- SWK-S 312 Substance Abuse and Social Services (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to give students an overview of the field of addiction (alcohol & drugs) including discussion of several conceptual models and theories. The course focuses on self-help groups, assessment procedures, and current intervention strategies. Students are given an opportunity to explore special issues in the field among oppressed minorities that are of particular interest to them and to share their findings with other students. Emphasis will also be placed on introducing students to the particular culture and ideologies that contribute to the provision of services in the field of addictions. A brief overview on other addictions (gambling, sex, food) will be presented.
- SWK-S 313 Poverty in the United States (3 cr.) Working with persons experiencing poverty is a major focus of the social work profession. The primary purpose of this course is to examine the nature of poverty, both rural and urban, in the United States. To achieve this purpose, we will explore and examine the history of poverty in the United States, theories about the causes of poverty, and the effects of poverty on individual development. We will also examine the demographics of poverty and reflect on the co-occurrence of poverty and oppression. Finally, we will examine various policies and programs that have been designed to alleviate poverty, the effects and consequences of these efforts, and will explore and propose other possible intervention strategies.
- SWK-S 322 Small Group Theory and Practice (3 cr.) 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.) 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.) 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.) 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.) 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 372 Statistical Reasoning in Social Work (3 cr.) This introductory statistics course is designed for students who wish to master some very important tools used by contemporary social work practitioners to better understand the world of practice. The primary purpose of the course is to enable students to gain an understanding of the basic principles that guide statistical reasoning, especially as they relate to making informed decisions about the quantitative aspects of their practice.
- SWK-S 401 Integrative Practicum Seminar I (2 cr.) This course is designed to facilitate integration of material gained from social work practice and theory courses with the realities of practice in the field as they occur in the student’s practicum placement, S482 Social Work Practicum I. This course combines an exploration of social work practice with specific application to client situations. To allow students to fully explore issues and questions from the practicum experience, this course is taught in seminar format. Students are expected to share in the success of the seminar by presenting and sharing material from their practicum with seminar participants.
- SWK-S 402 Integrative Practicum Seminar II (3 cr.) This second semester of field seminar provides a continuing forum for the integration of academic learning with agency-based field placement. Taken as a co-requisite with S482 Field Practicum II, this course provides students with educational and administrative support to synthesize knowledge from all previous social work courses and the experiential learning from field, increases communication between student, liaison, agency, and provides opportunities critical thinking in problem-solving practice challenges, utilizing collaborative conferencing with peers, and transitioning from student to social work practitioner. The seminar includes discussions on selected topics and issues related to the learning experiences in the field (both instructor- and student-initiated) with emphasis on student demonstration of core competencies for generalist social work practice. Through facilitated discussion, students learn about social work practice in various settings and assist each other in seeing the similarities and differences in applying generalist social work practice, knowledge, and skills across service delivery systems and practice methods.
- 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.) 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 442 Practice-Policy Seminar in Field of Practice: Addictions (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. Case management exists within the broad area of social welfare and social services, and requires knowledge about the human condition, problems in living, the delivery of human services, and the institutions that comprise today’s social welfare system.
- 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.
- SWK-S 442 Integrated Practice/Policy Seminar: Children and Families (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.
- SWK-S 442 Policy-Practice Seminar in Field of Practice: Health Care (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 in generalist practice.
- SWK-S 442 Integrated Practice/Policy Seminar: Public Child Welfare (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.
- SWK-S 442 Integrated Practice/Policy Seminar in Selected Field of Practice: Aging (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.
- SWK-S 460 Scholarly Writing Seminar (3 cr.) This course prepares BSW/MSW students to successfully complete scholarly writing tasks. Topics addressed include expectations and standards for scholarly writing, conducting searches of professional literature, using effective paraphrasing and summarization skills, writing logically and coherently, and appropriately citing references adhering to APA format. The course is intended to support students’ efforts on writing tasks assigned in future courses.
- SWK-S 472 Social Work Practice Evaluation (3 cr.) S472 Practice-Research Seminar 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 (3 cr.) 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 (5 cr.) 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.
