Social Work Courses
SWK 201 Introduction to Social Work - 4 credits
The field of social work, its values, methods and settings are studied as well as the organization and role of the social work profession. The course includes an introduction to the generalist aspects of social work methods in assisting individuals and groups and the use of community resources. Includes on-site observations with social work professionals.
SWK/SOC 202 The Social Welfare Institution - 3 credits
The social welfare organization as the institutional response to the social problems resulting from changes in society and culture; historical development; philosophical, humanitarian and religious foundations; trends in social welfare, including concern for poverty and the poor; the delivery of social welfare services and their extension to areas of need other than economic.
SWK/SOC 243 Social and Psychological Aspects of Aging - 4 credits
An introduction to the field of aging and elderly. Three primary areas of inquiry are studied: the biological, psychological and sociological aspects of aging; exploration of specific problem areas for the aging and elderly; and death and dying.
SWK/SOC 245 Introduction to Peace Studies - 3 credits
SWK 254 Violence in the Family - 3 credits
Examines violence in the family from a sociological and psychological perspective. The student will develop a knowledge and understanding of the recent research and theory of various forms of familial violence. The student will gain a familiarity with the forms violence takes in the family as well as an understanding of the past and current societal response to familial violence. The course makes use of lectures, discussion and films.
SWK 260 Special Topics in Human Services - 1-3 credits
Special topics are offered to provide more in-depth knowledge about current areas of practice or issues in human services. These courses are intended to meet the needs of students in social work, psychology, nursing, and education.
SWK 300 Community Organizing - 3 credits
Includes strategies for organization and development of local communities to meet human needs and to enhance the social environment. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the community organizer in working with established community structures, identifying and encouraging leadership, and facilitating planned community change.
SWK 303 Human Behavior and the Social Environment - 3 credits
Builds on a strong theory foundation for social work practice with specific content in social, behavioral and biological sciences. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-spiritual framework for students to view human growth and development through the life-span will be examined. The “person in environment” focus is approached from an ecological perspective of individual in the context of family, groups and the community. The social systems model will help students focus on the dynamic interplay and reciprocal nature of the person and the environment.
Prerequisites: Psychology 100; Sociology 100; Anthropology 100; Biology 111 and 112; or permission of the instructor.
SWK 304 Child Abuse, Maltreatment and Neglect in Childhood and Adolescence
This course will examine child abuse, maltreatment and neglect as a pervasive social problem that affects families and communities. Course content will examine the history of child maltreatment, policy, practice and prevention issues. Specific content on child physical abuse, sexual abuse, child neglect, psychological maltreatment and other related forms of child abuse will be explored. The role of the child welfare system, the legal system and cultural and international issues of maltreatment will be addressed in this course, Act 31 training will be included in the coursework. Pre-requisites include PSY100 and / or SOC 100.
SWK/SOC 313 Minorities and Human Relations - 3 credits
An overview of the issues associated with prejudice and discrimination directed against minority populations based on gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and physical/mental ability. The impact of these issues in the U.S. as well as globally will be examined. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the social and psychological roots of prejudice.
SWK/SOC 321 The Family as a Social Institution - 3 credits
SWK/SOC 324 Social Science Statistics - 3 credits
SWK 325 Social Work Research Methods and Design - 4 credits
Provides practitioners with the understanding of a scientific, analytical approach to knowledge building. Examines the concepts of theory development, conceptualization and hypothesis formulation across social work practice. The content includes research design, sampling, instrumentation, methods of data collection and analysis as well as descriptive inferential statistics and critical analysis of empirical research. The student will develop an original research project to be carried out in Social Work 326.
Prerequisites: Social Work 201, 202, Mathematics 102 and Sociology 324.
SWK 326 Evaluating Social Work Research - 4 credits
This is the second of two methods courses (Social Work 325 and 326) in applied research. Students will apply the scientific and analytic approaches to building knowledge for practice and evaluation of social work practice. The goal of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to carry out an original research study developed by the students in Social Work 325 that evaluates services delivery in all areas of practice. The student will be able to critically evaluate the research findings and learn to use empirical data appropriately in practice.
Prerequisite: Social Work 325.
SWK 327 Social Work Processes: Individuals, Families, Groups - 4 credits
Problem-solving processes relevant to social work practice considered within a social systems frame of reference. Methods common to all fields of social work are stressed, including communication and interpersonal interaction processes, assessment procedures, interceptive strategies and the sequential phases of the helping process. Content will examine human diversity, life-span development, and the life model. Applied experience involving videotaping interviewing techniques.
Prerequisites: Social Work 201, 202, 300 and 303.
SWK 328 Poverty and Income Redistribution - 3 credits
An examination of the systems of resource allocation in the United States, the economic foundations upon which these systems are based, their inefficiencies and inequalities, and the means of redistributing resources to eliminate/reduce conditions of poverty. Specific reference will be made to those social welfare programs and policies known as income maintenance, including their financing and political development, and their critical analysis through the application of key socioeconomic criteria.
Prerequisite: Social Work 201 and 202 or permission of instructor.
SWK 329 Generalist Social Work Practice - 3 credits
An examination of generalist social work practice including values, knowledge and skills needed to work with individuals, groups, communities and organizations. Attention will be paid to the links between micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice reflecting the holistic systems approach central to the social work profession. The course intends to integrate numerous case examples and practice applications to further clarify key social work practice principles and demonstrate how skills are applied in generalist social work practice settings. Key topics such as managed care, empowerment in practice, family assessment issues, human diversity and ethical dilemmas will be highlighted to challenge students to think critically.
SWK 339 Field Education in Social Work I (Capstone Experience) - 9 credits
A required field education experience applying theoretical knowledge gained in previous courses. Student chooses placement in a cooperating community service agency under professional supervision. Equal attention is given to cognitive and attitudinal aspects of learning to deal with people who have a range of backgrounds and problems. To be taken concurrently with Social Work 345. Four-hundred and fifty hours in the field required with one-hour weekly seminar on campus. No credit will be given for previous field education or job experience. Taken in the fall and spring semesters of the student’s senior year.
Prerequisites: Social Work 201, 202, 303, 327 and 329.
SWK 342 Field Education in Social Work II - 1-9 credits
An elective field education experience available to students who have completed Social Work 339. Students may choose to continue with the same agency used for Social Work 339 or choose another agency setting.
Prerequisites: Social Work 339 and 345.
SWK 345 Field Education Seminar I (Capstone Experience) - 3 credits
Taken concurrently with Social Work 339 and provides the opportunity to integrate and reconcile theoretical concepts learned in foundation and professional social work courses and apply them to the field education experience. The integration of theory and practice is the keynote of this seminar.
SWK 346 Field Education Seminar II (Capstone Experience) - 3 credits
An advanced course in social work principles, methods and values, in practice. Emphasis is on the continued development of practice theory. A capstone course in social work practice in which special consideration is given to critical issues in contemporary social work practice. Guest lecturers who are professionals in the field and audiovisual aids will be used to exemplify current social work theory and alternative modes of practice.
Prerequisites: Social Work 339 and 345
SWK 360 Special Topics in Social Work - 1-3 credits
Special topics courses are occasionally offered in subjects of special interest to social work students.
SWK 390 Independent Study - 1-3 credits