George Fox University

2007-2008 Academic Catalog

INTL (International Studies) 

Social Work

SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Welfare
3 hours. This course serves as an introduction to the philosophy, historical development, and current practices of the social work profession and social welfare in general. Specifically, the knowledge base, values, skills, practices, settings, educational and career opportunities of the profession will be examined. Emphasis is placed on developing awareness of the scope of the profession using a scientific, analytic approach to service delivery and evaluation; relating generalist social work practice to social welfare systems; economic and social justice; and work with diverse, oppressed, and at-risk populations. This course includes community service opportunities and/or social service agency tours. This course is required for those majoring in social work and must be taken prior to entrance into the major.

SWRK 200 Social Issues
3 hours. A study of the most pressing issues from both a national and international perspective. Focus will be upon urbanization, racial and ethnic relations, and the natural environment. The structural, historical, and cultural roots of these issues will be discussed. (Identical to SOCI 200.)

SWRK 260 Social Theory
3 hours. A critical study of major social philosophers from Comte to the present. Required for sociology and social work majors. (Identical to PHIL 260, SOCI 260.)
Prerequisite: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or PHIL 210 Introduction to Philosophy.

SWRK 285 Selected Topics
1-3 hours. A special-interest class offered on a onetime basis addressing a subject in the field that is of general interest to the university community. By permission.

SWRK 331 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
3 hours. This course is the first of a two-semester sequence that provides and seeks to apply a basic framework for creating and organizing knowledge of human behavior during the lifespan stages of conception, infancy, childhood, and adolescence and the social environment to situations encountered by generalist practice social workers. Social systems, human development theories, and strengths approaches are critically examined to foster understanding of individual, family, group, organizational, and community behaviors and the impact of the larger environment on these systems. Special attention is given to the impact of human diversity, discrimination, and oppression on the ability of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to reach or maintain optimal health and well-being. Required for majors.
Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology and SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology.

SWRK 332 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
3 hours. This course is the second of a two-semester sequence that provides and seeks to apply a basic framework for creating and organizing knowledge of human behavior during the lifespan stages of young adulthood, middle adulthood, and later adulthood and the social environment to situations encountered by generalist practice social workers. Social systems, human development theories, and strengths approaches are critically examined to foster understanding of individuals, family, group, organizational, and community behaviors and the impact of the larger environment on these systems. Special attention is given to the impact of human diversity, discrimination, and oppression on the ability of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to reach or maintain optimal health and well-being. Required for majors.
Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology, SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology, SWRK 331 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I.

SWRK 340 Statistical Procedures
3 hours. Applied statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on statistical logic and decision making. Recommended for the sophomore or junior year. Required for sociology and social work majors. (Identical to SOCI 340.)
Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and high school algebra.

SWRK 390 Research Seminar
3 hours. An overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Students will design a research project. Required for sociology and social work majors. (Identical to SOCI 390.)
Prerequisites: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology, SWRK 260 Social Theory, and SWRK 340 Statistical Procedures or PSYC 340 Statistical Procedures.

SWRK 391 Social Work Practice I
3 hours. A study of generalist social work practice with individuals. Microlevel theory, skills, and interviewing techniques are applied to generalist social work. The course will cover theory and techniques of person-centered case management that are specifically applicable to work with individuals. A prerequisite for Field Experience/Practicum I (SWRK 475). Required for majors. This class is open to declared social work majors only. Additional course fee is required.
Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology, SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology, SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Welfare, and formal admission into the social work program.

SWRK 392 Social Work Practice II
3 hours. A study of mezzo-level generalist social work practice with families and groups. Attention is given to a systems framework of generalist social work practice, with a particular focus upon assessment and development of appropriate intervention strategies. A prerequisite for SWRK 476 Field Experience/Practicum II. Required for majors. This class is open to declared social work majors only.
Prerequisite: SWRK 391 Social Work Practice I.

SWRK 393 Social Work Practice III
3 hours. An overview of generalist social work methods practiced with organizations and communities. Attention is given to assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of macro-level systems. A prerequisite for SWRK 477 Field Experience/Practicum III. Required for majors. This class is open to declared social work majors only.
Prerequisite: SWRK 392 Social Work Practice II.

SWRK 400 Child Welfare Services
3 hours. Basic principles of child welfare, with emphasis upon the services for families and children needing various types of support. Focus is on developing a knowledge and understanding of child welfare and supportive services.
Prerequisite: SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Welfare or instructor's permission.

SWRK 450 Aging in Society
3 hours. A study of the adult aging process in its diverse social dimensions. An exploration of the aging network and its various services and programs will be a secondary focus of study. (Identical to SOCI 450.)
Prerequisite: SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology or instructor's permission.

SWRK 461 Social Policy I
3 hours. The policies of contemporary social programs are considered from a national, state, and local perspective. Policy development and analysis are emphasized. Required for majors.
Prerequisites: SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Welfare, PSCI 150 Introduction to Political Science, PSCI 190 American Government or PSCI 240 State and Local Government, SWRK 475 Field Experience/Practicum I, or instructor's permission.

SWRK 462 Social Policy II
3 hours. This course provides an in-depth analysis of how human needs and values are translated into social policy on both the national and international levels. Special attention is given to advocacy, and the ways in which values and power interests influence the creation of social policy. Examination of selected policies and programs in the areas of income, health, housing, human rights, employment, education, etc. Special attention is given to affirmative action, housing, homelessness, feminization of poverty, and policy analysis and formulation both at the state and federal levels. Implications for generalist social work services will be explored. Required for majors.
Prerequisites: SWRK 461 Social Policy I and SWRK 476 Field Experience/Practicum II, or instructor's permission.

SWRK 475 Field Experience/Practicum I
3 hours (150 practicum hours in the agency). The first course of the field experience/practicum sequence will emphasize micropractice concepts and address orientation to the agency environment; student roles and responsibilities; agency roles and responsibilities; confidentiality issues; nature and process of supervision; establishing goals and objectives; models of integrating classroom learning with the field practicum; person-in-environment; interviewing techniques; identification of research and policy issues; work with special populations and injustices; process recordings; research methods in the agency; and ethical conduct/NASW code of ethics. Required for majors. This class is open to declared social work majors only. Recommended spring of the junior year.
Prerequisite: SWRK 391 Social Work Practice I.

SWRK 476 Field Experience/Practicum II
3 hours (150 practicum hours in the agency). Ideally, SWRK 476 and 477 will occur in a full-year practicum during the student's senior year. The second course in the field experience/practicum sequence will build upon knowledge and experience acquired in SWRK 475 and emphasize mezzo-practice concepts. Course topics will include work with small groups, families; integrating research and evaluation methods in the field experience/practicum; agency evaluation and analysis; referral processes; work with special populations/injustices; ethical dilemmas; ethical conduct/NASW code of ethics; agency recording process; and development of a student portfolio of practicum projects and skills. Required for majors. This class is open to declared social work majors only.
Prerequisites: SWRK 475 Field Experience/Practicum I and SWRK 392 Social Work Practice II.

SWRK 477 Field Experience/Practicum III
3 hours (150 practicum hours in the agency). Ideally, SWRK 476 and 477 will occur in a full-year practicum during the student's senior year. The third course in the field experience/practicum sequence will provide further depth and integration of theory, classroom learning, and experience within the student's field experience/practicum, building on concepts developed in SWRK 476 and emphasizing macropractice concepts. Additional topics will include work with agency boards, communities, governmental systems; implementation of a research project in the agency; community analysis; termination with clients and the agency; addressing social inequities in the student's field experience/practicum; work with special populations and injustices; policy issues; and ethical conduct/NASW code of ethics. Required for majors. This class is open to declared social work majors only.
Prerequisites: SWRK 476 Field Experience/Practicum II, SWRK 393 Social Work Practice III, and SWRK 390 Research Seminar.

SWRK 485 Selected Topics
1-3 hours. A special-interest class that addresses a relevant subject in the field of social work. Previous and projected subjects include, but are not limited to, administration and community planning; cognitive and behavioral theories; crisis and trauma recovery; current issues in social work; medical and mental health services; systemic and ecologic theories; social policy; and treating addictive behaviors.
Prerequisite: SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Welfare.

SWRK 490 Senior Seminar
3 hours. A required course for majors to be taken during the spring semester of the senior year. The course will focus on consolidating substantive knowledge regarding 1) social welfare policies and services, 2) human behavior in the social environment, 3) the structure and function of communities and human service organizations, 4) methods of inducing change across the micro-, mezzo-, and macrolevels, and 5) methods of scientific inquiry necessary to assess human problems and the effectiveness of professional interventions. Focus also will be upon the integration of social theories with faith and learning. Required for majors.
Prerequisite: SWRK 392 Social Work Practice II.

SWRK 495 Special Study
1-3 hours. Independent study of subjects outside regular offerings. Guiding bibliographies are provided, and regular reading reports and conferences are scheduled. For upper-division majors only, by permission.

Undergraduate
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