Social Work (SOCW) Course Descriptions

• SOCW 2303 Introduction to Social Work

  Prerequisite(s): None

  An introduction to the profession of social work and the institution of social welfare is provided. Emphasis is on common human needs, social issues, and the development and functioning of social welfare as an institution of society. Course content includes history, knowledge base, values, and skills of professional social work as well as contexts for practice and career opportunities.

• SOCW 2325 Social Challenges

  Prerequisite(s): None

  Social challenges is a study of the major contemporary social issues that are critical to present society. The course creates opportunities to increase understanding of diversity and difference, power and privilege, and an understanding of one’s professional identity. Students will examine diversities within religion, ability, age, race/ethnicity, class, and gender through the lens of social policies and programs that have been implemented to address these social issues. Current issues, especially with respect to value dilemmas, are highlighted as essential to the foundational elements of culturally competent leadership in any professional or volunteer setting.

• SOCW 3304 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I

  Prerequisite(s): None

  Human development across the lifespan with an emphasis on the effects of the social and physical environment on maturation is studied. Special attention is given to gender issues, experiences of racial and ethnic minorities, and other special populations.

• SOCW 3305 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II

  Prerequisite(s): SOCW 2303

  The environmental contexts for human behavior with a special emphasis on groups, organizations and communities are explored. Issues of human diversity, social and economic justice, and environments of populations at risk are emphasized.

• SOCW 3306 Social Welfare History and Policy

  Prerequisite(s): SOCW 2303

  Historical and current patterns of the provision of social welfare services, political impact on health and wellbeing, and the effect of social policy on social work practice are investigated.

• SOCW 4311 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families

  Prerequisite(s): SOCW 3304

  The Generalist Model of social work practice, including theoretical frameworks, problem-solving methods, values and ethics, and practice with special populations are examined.

• SOCW 4312 Social Work Practice with Groups

  Prerequisite(s): SOCW 3304

  Knowledge and skills appropriate to social work intervention with individuals, families, and small groups representing differing backgrounds are the focus of social work practice with groups.

• SOCW 4313 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations

  Prerequisite(s): SOCW 3304

  Knowledge and skills appropriate to work with organizations, neighborhoods, and communities to foster social and economic justice are explored.

• SOCW 4410 Social Work Internship I

  Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of “B” in SOCW 4311, SOCW 4312, SOCW 4313; admission to field program and consent of Director of Field Education – Generalist Practice. First semester of Field internship requiring 240 hours of social work practice with supervision by a professional social worker within a local setting and a weekly integrative seminar. Requires integration of liberal arts background and social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics within the structure of the agency, demonstrating beginning competence around each of the program’s educational objectives and competencies.

  The purpose of Social Work Courses 4410 and 4411 is to provide the student with a conceptual framework for a social work practice. Social Work Practice I includes a comparison of current practice theories with a focus on systems theory. Both SW Practice I and SW Practice II provide an in-depth study of the strategies, roles and functions involved in social intervention, and the application of interventive skills to client systems individual, small group, family, organization and community). Emphasis is placed on the problem-solving process involved in the mutual working together of social worker and client, from problem identification through problem resolution. SW Practice I highlights the beginning phases of this process, while SW Practice II will reinforce the use of systems theory and problem-solving process by structured in-class application to actual student cases drawn from field experiences. This required concurrent field instruction provides the student with the opportunity to connect the conceptual framework for practice to real life situations. The student is therefore enabled to more effectively integrate the knowledge, skill and value components of her/his professional education.

• SOCW 4411 Social Work Internship II

  Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of “B” in SW Internship I credit or concurrent enrollment in SOCW 3306 and SOCI 3303

  Second semester of Field internship requiring integration of liberal arts background and social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics through 240 hours of supervised practice in a community agency and a weekly integrative seminar. Students must demonstrate competence around each of the program’s educational objectives and competencies. The purpose of Social Work Courses 4410 and 4411 is to provide the student with a conceptual framework for a social work practice. Social Work Practice I includes a comparison of current practice theories with a focus on systems theory. Both SW Practice I and SW Practice II provide an in-depth study of the strategies, roles and functions involved in social intervention, and the application of interventive skills to client systems (individual, small group, family, organization and community). Emphasis is placed on the problem-solving process involved in the mutual working together of social worker and client, from problem identification through problem resolution. SW Practice I highlights the beginning phases of this process, while SW Practice II will reinforce the use of systems theory and problem-solving process by structured in-class application to actual student cases drawn from field experiences. This required concurrent field instruction provides the student with the opportunity to connect the conceptual framework for practice to real life situations. The student is therefore enabled to more effectively integrate the knowledge, skill and value components of her/his professional education.