Courses in Social Work
SWK 101: Introduction to Social Work (3.00)
A foundation course that provides an overview of the social work profession examined through the scope of historical development, related theories, and understanding of current practice. The standards of the profession will be introduced to students, and beginning understanding of self and others through issues of diversity, beginning practice skills, and role plays. This course allows a realistic view of social work through the use of guest lecturers from, and field trips to, a variety of social work settings and through an additional requirement for community work. (Offered every fall semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 201: Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3.00)
Prerequisite: SWK 101 or concurrent. Enrollment restricted to social work majors. Policy development process including: structure of the service delivery system; organizations and social inequities in service delivery and organizations, change strategies that promote social and economic justice; examination of history of social welfare in the United States; the ideology, values and policies that have influenced social programs and current programs, organizations, provisions, and issues; participation in lobbying on the National Association of Social Workers Legislative Day or an equivalent experiential activity is required, as well as a grant-writing lab. (Offered every spring semester).(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 209: SW Perspectives in EC Disabilities (3.00)
Prerequisites: SWK 101 (or concurrent). Examination of early childhood disabilities from a strengths based perspective which states that all individuals are seen in regards to strengths. Students will study specific disabilities and know causes; prenatal and post-natal. Service delivery focuses on systems theory which addresses the child with his/her environment. The primary age group discussed is infants and children ages 0-4 with disabilities and their families. Students will develop the understanding of working with interdisciplinary teams. (Offered every spring semester.) (3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 211: Generalist Soc Work Practice I (3.00)
Prerequisites: SWK 101. An introduction to the social work profession; values, ethics, theories, concepts and generalist practice methods. Foundational generalist practice skills for work with client systems of various sizes to include micro, messo, and macro levels of practice. Generalist social work practice encompasses assessment and intervention within all three levels of practice founded in the principles of systems theory. Students will engage in a variety of experiential learning activities such as: professional writing, social work documentation, human service program design and evaluation, counselor/client relationships, interviewing and assessing techniques, skills in communication and confidentiality. (3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 220: Ethics and Diversity in Social Work (3.00)
Prerequisite: SWK 101 or concurrent. This is a fundamental course for all social work students. It addresses the areas of diversity in which the Council for Social Work Education requires all social work students to have a working knowledge. These areas include, but are not limited to, issues of race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, age, and national origin. It assists students in becoming aware of and sensitive to these issues, as well as building some beginning skill level with diverse populations. Important social work qualities, such as non-judgmental attitudes, acceptance, and a client-centered approach, will be explored. The required standard for the profession and student, the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics, will be introduced and worked with to further the student's ability to understand and use its structure. The class members apply their knowledge by exploring ethical dilemmas and their application with clients, themselves, and the practice of social work. (Offered every spring semester). (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 221: Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3.00)
Prerequisite: SWK 101. Content about human bio-psycho-social development through the life stages, including knowledge about social systems in which individuals live (families, groups, organizations, instructions, and communities). The application of systems to a social work perspective of human development; emphasis on life situations encountered by generalist social workers and the impact of factors such as oppression, discrimination, poverty, and sexism. (Offered every fall semester).(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 250: Substance Abuse and Families (3.00)
Pre or co-requisite: BIO 202. Substance abuse within family systems and society at large is a prevalent issue in social work practice. This course will provide an overview of the progression of substance abuse and how it has an impact on individuals, families, social institutions, and communities. Identification of substance abuse and dependency, basic counselor-client practice skills, and levels of social work intervention will be incorporated into the curriculum. The format will be interactive and experiential. (Offered every spring semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 295: Intro Topics in Social Work (3.00)
Prerequisite: to be determined by the Division of Education and Social Work. An introductory study of a specific topic within social work. Intended for freshmen and sophomores, or for students with little or no background in social work. The student may repeat the course, but not the topic. (Offered as needed.)(1-3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 302: Social Work Research Methods (3.00)
Corequisite: SS 231. This course will introduce students to the concepts and principles of social work research methodology. Topics include familiarization with research terminology, problem formulation, conceptualization and operationalizing research questions, measurement, methods of data collection, types of data collection, sampling, causal inference, and research designs. Emphasis will be placed on developing skill in evaluating one's own practice, particularly through single-system design. The course will also develop the student's ability to critically evaluate published research and to formulate and carry out research. Respect for the unique characteristics of diverse populations will be stressed as the course covers social work research in light of diversity, multicultural biases, and social and economic justice. (Offered every spring semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 312: General Social Work Practice II (3.00)
Prerequisite: SWK 211. Enrollment restricted to social work majors. Focus on the professional use of self through client and systems work. Skill emphasis will be in nonverbal behavior, use of various clinical assessment tools, awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and self-awareness. Students will integrate quantitative and qualitative research to generalist social work practice and further develop skills of critical thinking. (Offered every spring semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 331: Youth Services Delivery System (3.00)
Child welfare services and the juvenile justice system; the impact of such problems as abuse, juvenile delinquency, and emotional disturbance on children; and the child as a human being. (Offered every fall semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 332: Group Processes (3.00)
Prerequisite: SWK 312. Formation, definition, and process of a group; group interactions using group exercises and observations, and beginning facilitator experience. Also listed as SOC 332. (Offered every spring semester.) (LA)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 333: Gerontological Social Work (3.00)
An understanding of basic social work theories, intervention models, and practice skills related to gerontological populations. Additional emphasis on issues of ethics, diversity, and role caergivers will be addressed. Current macro policies and their impact on this population will be discussed. Related developmental practice issues will cover ages 55 through 85 plus.(Offered every spring semester)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 334: Evaluation Strategies in Human Services (3.00)
Prerequisite: junior standing. A course with flexible content to address current practical needs in human service fields. The course will develop and expand skills essential for understanding a variety of assessment tools in human service professions. It is designed to supplement competency areas as a bridge from theory to application. (Offered every fall semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 351: Generalist Social Work Practice III (3.00)
Prerequisites: junior or senior level standing in the social work program, SOC 201. SWK 351 is the junior/senior level practice course for social work majors. Its focus is on macro-level practice. Topic areas include family systems through general systems theory. Understanding of macro-level government, funding, and human service agency structures is emphasized. Theories and practice of community organizations, needs assessments, and the social worker's role in all of the above is discussed. (Offered every fall semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 390: Junior Social Work Field Period (3.00)
Prerequisite: admittance into major and written consent of a social work faculty member. Off-campus experiential education in varied community agency settings with exposure to direct practice, service roles, and diverse populations. (Offered every summer and January.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 399: Independent Study (1.00)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Offered every semester.)(1-3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 401: Social Welfare Policies and Services II (3.00)
Prerequisites: SWK 201, SOC 301 or SWK 302. An examination of selected laws, programs, benefits, and services that form the basis of social welfare policy in the U.S., and social welfare policy analysis and its application. The structure of service delivery systems, organizations, and social inequities in service delivery; and organizational change strategies that promote social and economic justice. An introduction to program development. (Offered every fall semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 421: Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3.00)
Pre- or corequisite: SWK 351. (Must be taken the fall semester prior to SWK 450.) Examination of the human condition from adolescence to old age (ages 12-82+). Students will learn to identify the "critical issues" at each developmental stage of life using biological, sociological, psychological, and spiritual assessment models. Generalist issues which affect the entire span of the life cycle will also be addressed. This course heavily emphasizes the shift for students from theory to practice through extensive use of experiential activities which include doing actual assessments, developing a program for a topic of diversity, team-based activities, etc. (Offered every fall semester.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 450: Senior Practicum and Seminar (15.00)
Prerequisite: only those students who are candidates for the baccalaureate degree in social work may be admitted into the practicum and seminar. Block placement in social service agencies, including generalist work at an approved setting for a minimum of 32 hours a week and a semester research project. Students evaluate their own practice interventions using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Students develop greater awareness of the professional use of self in practice settings. (Offered every spring semester.)(15)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 490: Senior Social Work Field Period (3.00)
Prerequisites: SWK 390 and written consent of a social work faculty member. Off-campus experiential education in varied community agency settings, with exposure to direct practice, service roles, and diverse populations. (Offered every summer and January.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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SWK 495: Advanced Topics in Social Work (1.00)
Prerequisite: to be determined by the Division of Education and Social Work. An advanced study of a special topic within social work. Intended for juniors or seniors, or for students with an appropriate background in social work. The student may repeat the course, but not the topic. (Offered as needed.)(3)
Gen. Ed. Attributes: None.
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