S W 310: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE
| Introduction to the profession of social work including its fields of practice; values and ethics; its history and the social welfare policies that undergird it; its interactions with contexts which shape practice; and its promotion of social and economic justice to advance human rights, alleviate critical social problems, and promote wellbeing. Discuss engaging diversity and differences in social work practice. Contains an agency volunteer component of 30 clock hours. | |
S W 311: CURRENT ISSUES
May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Tutorial or seminar course designed to enable each student to undertake intensive study of selected aspects of social welfare practice.
S W 312: GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE: KNOWLEDGE, VALUES, AND SKILLS
Introduction to generalist social work practice, with emphasis on the skills, knowledge, and values used in the profession. Contains an agency volunteer component of 30 clock hours.
S W 313: SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS
| Introduction to social work values, the research process, problem formulation and conceptualization, measurement, research design and inference, single-subject design and practice evaluation, sampling, alternative data gathering techniques and analyses, and uses of research in social work. | |
S W 318: SOCIAL WORK STATISTICS
| Introduction to the conceptual and quantitative tools used to describe and interpret data in the conduct of social work practice and research. Select, calculate, and interpret appropriate statistics applicable to common data analysis situations related to direct practice, administration and planning, and policy. Explore R statistical software to calculate statistics and present results. | |
S W 323K: SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND ISSUES
| Analyze contemporary social welfare policy issues and programs and discuss the relationship between social policy and social work practice. Explore the historical, political, economic, and social conditions that influence policy development in the United States. Use policy analysis tools in order to examine how policy influences practice and planning decisions and how social workers can influence social welfare policy. | |
S W 325: FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
| Explore how membership in vulnerable population groups influences an individual’s life experiences, world view, and increases risk factors for exposure to discrimination, economic deprivation, and oppression. Apply social justice approaches to influence assessment, planning, access to resources, intervention, and research. Critically analyze distributive justice, human and civil rights, and global interconnections of oppression. Examine the impact of discrimination and oppression by individuals and society on people of culturally diverse backgrounds and orientations. | |
S W 327: HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
| Explore the biopsychosocial and cultural functioning of human beings across the life span using an ecological-systems lens and major developmental theories as a framework to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Discuss the impact of the family, social groups, organizations, communities, and society on individuals during these stages of the life span. Examine empirically-based research reflecting a risk and resilience perspective in making client assessments and recommending appropriate interventions. | |
S W 332: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
| Examine the helping process within the context of an ecosystems developmental framework. Explore engaging clients in an appropriate working relationship; communication skills; identifying issues, problems, needs, resources, and assets; and planning for service delivery. Pay special attention to understanding, affirming, and respecting people from diverse backgrounds, including (but not limited to) groups distinguished by race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, age, and national origin. | |
S W 333: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH GROUPS
| Explore group dynamics and effective leadership skills, through social work values and the ethical decision-making process. Discuss both task and treatment groups utilizing an ecosystems developmental framework. Pay special attention to understanding, affirming, and respecting groups with diverse backgrounds, including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, age, and national origin. Explore social work group facilitation using empirically-based theories and interventions to achieve client goals. | |
S W 334: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES
| Examine the organizational context within which social services are delivered, including how funding, mandate, and organizational arrangements influence service delivery and factors to consider in efforts to modify existing organizational arrangements. Explore the interlocking and complex nature of culture and personal identity, discussing vulnerable populations and examining the factors that contribute to and constitute being at risk. Define, design, and implement strategies for effective practice with persons from diverse backgrounds. | |
S W 444: FIELD SEMINAR
| Explore the integration of theory and practice to strengthen the relationship between the classroom content and field. Examine the processes common to all social work practice, gender and cultural issues, and their impact on service delivery. Explore issues related to social and economic justice, vulnerable populations, cultural diversity, alleviating social problems and the enhancement of human well-being. | |
S W 640/S W 641: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM I/II
| Field practicum providing supervised experience in which students apply knowledge and develop skills of social work practice. Educational supervision by faculty and by social workers in community agencies. | |
S W 360K: CURRENT ISSUES
May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Tutorial or seminar course designed to enable each student to undertake intensive study of selected aspects of social welfare practice. Some examples are:
- Topic 1. Criminal justice
- Topic 2. Child abuse and neglect
- Topic 3. Dynamics of chemical dependency
- Topic 4. Treatment of chemical dependency
- Topic 5. Social work and the law
- Topic 6. African American families
- Topic 7. Gerontology
- Topic 8. Play Therapy
- Topic 9. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Topic 10. School-based Social Services
- Topic 11. Women and Addiction
- Topic 12. Death and Grief Issues
- Topic 13. Mexican American Family Systems
- Topic 14. Social Work in a Medical Setting