Plan of Study – Social Work

Introduces the profession of Social Work, the roles of the generalist social work practitioner, and the profession’s Code of Ethics. Emphasizes client systems from a strengths perspective and the positive value of diversity and difference. Explores the profession’s historical development, commitment to human rights and social and economic justice, current trends, and acquaints students with fields of practice. Stresses self-assessment and critical thinking skills to determine suitability for a career in social work.

First of two courses examining biological, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual perspectives of human behavior, emphasizing interaction of these dimensions as they impact social functioning within the ecological systems framework. Introduces concepts of context and environment, diversity and difference, oppression, poverty, marginalization and alienation, privilege and power, as they shape human experience and identity. Includes reflection on developmental influences affecting student’s own values, world view, and professional development. Prerequisites: BIO 1010 or BIO 2250; SOC 1020.

Second of two courses examining dimensions of human behavior and the social environment. Builds upon theories and approaches presented in SW 3400: HBSE I, with a focus on human behavior development across the life course and the social system’s role in promoting or deterring health and well-being. Further explores intersection of diversity and difference, social justice and oppression as relates to a person’s life experiences. Stresses positive value of human diversity in social work practice. Prerequisite: SW 3400; prerequisite or corequisite: PSY 1010 and SW 2300.

First in a sequence of four methods courses grounded in the generalist model of social work practice. Orients to the application of engagement, assessment, evidence-based intervention, and evaluation with individuals. Focuses on diversity, difference, and the utilization of knowledge, skills, and values in social work with individuals. Prerequisites or corequisites: SW 2310 and SW 3400.

Second in a sequence of four methods courses grounded in the generalist model of social work practice. Applies knowledge, skills, and values in working with families and groups. Interprets human behavior within the context of a family’s or group’s culture, ethnicity, worldview, strengths, developmental stages, and challenges within a systems theory framework. Develops practice skills and methods of engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating with families and groups. Prerequisite: SW 3450 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Prepares students to become educated consumers of evidence-based social work and social science research to inform and improve practice, policy, and social service delivery. Orients to scientific and ethical approaches to building knowledge through the use of quantitative and qualitative research processes. Emphasizes importance of understanding ethical considerations when conducting research with human subjects. Prerequisite: SW 2300.

Explores the profession’s social welfare system from a philosophical and historical basis and examines the characteristics of contemporary social welfare policy in the United States. Critically analyzes major social policies and identifies how international, federal, state, local, and agency-based policy influences social work practice and delivery. Examines strategies for changing policy with particular emphasis on social justice, human rights, and vulnerable populations. The course includes a mandatory policy-focused field day. Prerequisites: PSC 1510 and admission to the Social Work Program.

Methods course grounded in the generalist model of social work practice. Analyzes organizational characteristics and behavior in preparation for advancing effective service delivery. Develops practice skills and methods for engaging, assessing, and intervening in organizations, agencies and communities. Examines macro level perspectives focusing on oppression, discrimination, poverty, marginalization, alienation, factors of diversity and difference as well as being sources of privilege and power as they impact social wellbeing. Focuses on effective, ethical, and professional practice within human service agencies, organizations and at the community level. Prerequisites: SW 3410, SW 3750, and admission to the Social Work Program.

Field education component involving 200 clock hours per term of direct service taken concurrently with Field Seminar (SW 4850). This is the "signature pedagogy" of social work education. Working under social work supervision, students apply the knowledge, skills, and values of generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes. Refining of skills to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate within the profession’s values and ethics. Provision of a structured learning opportunity to integrate theory and practice in the role of social work practitioner. Prerequisites: all junior-level social work courses. Prerequisites or corequisites: SW 4260, SW 4350; corequisite: SW 4850. Formal admission to Field Practicum is required.

Integrative seminar taken concurrently with Field Practicum I (SW 4800). Students reflect upon experiences and challenges of field practicum. Focus is on evaluating and supporting the integration and application of knowledge, skills, and values of generalist social work practice from course work to field. Students demonstrate the professional use of self, self-awareness, and appreciation for diversity and difference. Agency data, reports, and forms are reviewed to further develop skills in research and in program and practice evaluation strategies. Prerequisites: all junior-level social work courses. Prerequisites or corequisites: SW 4260, SW 4350; corequisite: SW 4800.

Field education component involving 200 clock hours per term of direct service taken concurrently with Field Seminar (SW 4950). This is the "signature pedagogy" of social work education. Working under social work supervision, students apply the knowledge, skills, and values of generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes. Refining of skills to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate within the profession’s values and ethics. Provision of a structured learning opportunity to integrate theory and practice in the role of social work practitioner. Prerequisites: all junior-level social work courses. Prerequisites or corequisites: SW 4700, SW 4750; corequisite: SW 4950. Formal admission to Field Practicum is required.

Integrative seminar taken concurrently with Field Practicum II (SW 4900). Students reflect upon experiences and challenges of field practicum. Focus is on evaluating and supporting the integration and application of knowledge, skills, and values of generalist social work practice from course work to field. Students demonstrate the professional use of self, self-awareness, and appreciation for diversity and difference. Agency data, reports, and forms are reviewed to further develop skills in research and in program and practice evaluation strategies. Prerequisites: all junior-level social work courses. Prerequisites or corequisites: SW 4700, SW 4750; corequisite: SW 4900.

Using critical thinking to integrate social work knowledge, skills, theory, evidence, and values relating to person-in-environment. The course builds upon all previous courses and field internships in the curriculum, using a multi-level analysis and reflection process on professional self and population of engagement. Taken concurrently with the second semester of field placement. Corequisites: SW 4900 and SW 4950.

Examines the processes of strategic planning and program development in human service organizations. Identify social problems, research best practices, design new programs, budget, allocate resources, implement, and evaluate new programs. Develops the analytical and interpersonal skills necessary for program planning and management. Explore the politics of planning in an organizational, inter-organizational, and community context. Practice problem formulation and program planning related to an area of specialization, and design a social services program addressing a real-world social problem.

Prepares students to perform managerial functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations. Specific attention is given to the topics of leadership, human resources, fund development, structure and governance, resource management, and efforts to link human service organizations through a comprehensive system of care.

Focuses on context and dynamics of interpersonal violence, with a focus on theories for prevention and intervention in addressing interpersonal violence. It emphasizes using an ecological systems perspective to assess and engage the multiple influences that contribute to interpersonal violence, including social, psychological, biological, cultural, and institutional. A variety of forms of interpersonal violence, the dynamics of those social relationships will be explored. The impacts of abuse on victims, perpetrators, families, communities and the most common forms of prevention and intervention in interpersonal violence.

Provides an introduction to community-based organizations from an eco-systems perspective. Explores the external and internal forces that impact the performance of community-based organizations; major theories of organizational management and leadership for effective social work administration and planning. Examines personal values; develop, demonstrate and promote the values of the profession. Analyzes ethical dilemmas and how these affect practice in a variety of community-based settings. Promotion of self-determination, equity, social and economic justice in community-based settings are emphasized.

Provides students with a structured overview of community action strategies. Defines and characterizes power and leadership dynamics in community; economic and class issues; determinants of health that relate to community; community assessments; and approaches and tools to use when conducting and evaluating community-organizing initiatives. Prepares students to facilitate community involvement in decision-making systems with a focus on diverse communities.

A course for non-science majors, presenting biological concepts influencing individual decisions affecting community structure and the state of the world. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Corequisite: BIO 1010.LB.

A laboratory course for non-science majors, introducing students to the scientific method and techniques frequently utilized in a laboratory setting. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Corequisite: BIO 1010.

Non-laboratory study of the functioning of the body systems considering the integration and control of life processes in the cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the human body. Not applicable to Biology major but may be applied to Biology minor.

American political structure to include the organization, powers, functions and services of national, state and local government and their interdependence in seeking solutions to contemporary social, economic, and political issues.

Describes the major systems, central issues and historical development of modern psychology. Introduces basic principles in sensation, perception, cognition, learning, memory, language, emotion, motivation, personality organization, and social process.

Foundations and principles of social order, social control, social institutions, and social life in America and other cultures. Focus on how people’s conditions, character, and life chances are influenced by organizations and institutions. Emphasis on critical thinking about practices and beliefs in a variety of social contexts.

Instruction and practice in the establishment of rapport with individuals through the use of empathic listening skills. The material is presented in the context of developing a helping relationship.