SWRK Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Work

3 hours

This course serves as an introduction to the philosophy, historical development and current practices of the social work profession. 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.

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SWRK 210 Intro to Criminal Justice

3 hours

This course will provide students with an introduction and synopsis of the system of criminal justice operated in the United States today. The course will provide an overview of the philosophy of criminal law, theories of deviance and of the nature and extent of crime in America. The theory, structure, and operation of each of the principle components of the Criminal Justice System (i.e., law enforcement, courts, and corrections) will be examined in detail.

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SWRK 275 Field Experience

1-3 hours

Supervised experience in the discipline including internships and practica required for professional programs. This introductory experience must have an on-site supervisor and/or a departmental instructor overseeing, designing, and evaluating the content of the course. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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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. Prerequisite: by permission.

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SWRK 290 Diversity Issues in Social Work

3 hours

This course introduces students to issues of diversity and difference in preparation for culturally competent social work practice. Students will learn about vulnerable and marginalized groups and the environmental systems which impact them. Special attention is given to issues of intersectionality, bias, discrimination, power and privilege, and oppression. Students will explore their own personal identity and how their views, beliefs, values and behaviors may support or hinder future social work practice with diverse populations. Prerequisites: Declared social work major, social welfare minor, or permission of the instructor.

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SWRK 295 Individualized Study

1-3 hours

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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SWRK 321 Family Violence

3 hours

This course will provide an overview of the different types of violence that occur within family systems. Attention will be given to the intersection of diverse identities and violence, factors with society that contribute to violence, and societal responses to violence within society. Prerequisites: PSYC 150, SOCI 150 or SWRK 210 and at least sophomore level status or instructor permission.

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SWRK 322 Death, Loss, and Grief

3 hours

This course will introduce students to multidisciplinary approaches to death, loss, and grief in the context of the biopsychosocialspiritual model. Topics will include the human response to loss throughout the lifespan, societal responses to dying and death, ethical issues related to dying and death, suicide, and advanced planning for death and dying. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 or SOCI 150 and at least sophomore level status or instructor permission.

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SWRK 331 Human Behavior in the Social Environment

3 hours

This course provides and seeks to apply a basic framework for creating and organizing knowledge of human behavior during the lifespan. 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 or permission of instructor.

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SWRK 333 Human Rights and Social Justice

3 hours

This course introduces human rights and social justice concepts in the context of social work history, values, ethics, and practice. Related concepts of oppression, power, privilege, and inequity will also be covered. Prerequisites: Formal admission to the social work program or a declared minor in social welfare.

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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.

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SWRK 391 Social Work Practice I

3 hours

A study of generalist social work practice with individuals. Micro-level 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. Furthermore, this course assists the students in necessary self-exploration as it relates to future ethical social work practice. A prerequisite for Field Experience/Practicum I (SWRK 475). Required for majors and open to declared social work majors only. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology, SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology, SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Work, and formal admission into the social work program.

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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. Prerequisite: SWRK 391 Social Work Practice I and declared social work majors only.

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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.

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SWRK 399 Cross-Cultural Experience

3 hours

This course offers in-depth discipline specific cross-cultural study designed to enhance the intercultural emphasis of various academic majors. The course includes class meetings in the spring followed by travel to various locations throughout the world in May. Students will use core disciplinary knowledge to serve, learn and interact with other cultures. Offered at the discretion of the department. Upper division students, by permission. Additional course fee is required.

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SWRK 400 Child Welfare

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. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology or SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and at least sophomore level status or instructor permission.

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SWRK 410 Helping Professions and Older Adults

3 hours

This course provides a general introduction to the study of aging, older people and their adaptation to a rapidly changing world from a social work perspective. It examines a wide variety of physical, cognitive and psycho-social changes that occur as one ages, how these factors influence interaction with social/physical environments, and how the older person is, in turn, affected by these interactions. Social work perspectives, values and interventions with this population will be emphasized. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology or SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and at least sophomore level status or instructor permission.

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SWRK 420 Social Work and Diverse Populations

3 hours

This course introduces students to issues of diversity and difference in preparation for culturally competent social work practice. Students will learn about vulnerable and marginalized groups and the environmental systems which impact them. Special attention is given to issues of intersectionality, bias, discrimination, power and privilege, and oppression. Students will explore their own personal identity and how their views, beliefs, values, and behaviors may support or hinder future social work practice with diverse populations.

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SWRK 440 Social Work Research Methods

3 hours

This course provides basic knowledge about research methods as it applies to social work practice. This course is designed to survey the basic processes of research methodology as practiced in the social sciences. Topics include research design, problem formulation, measurement, sampling, data analysis, and ethics in research. This course introduces the theory and application of basic social scientific research techniques, including qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection and statistical thinking. Topics specific to social work research such as agency-based research, program evaluation, outcomes evaluation and single-subject design will be emphasized. The use of research as one tool in the professional repertoire of skills available to the social work generalist and evaluation of practice are emphasized. This course is designed to increase students' ability to read for understanding, critically evaluate, and better utilize the social work research literature. At the same time it is designed to prepare students to begin work on the senior research paper/project. Finally, this course demonstrates the need for and encourages the use of research in social work practice.

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SWRK 460 Social Policy

3 hours

This course proves an in-depth analysis of how human needs and values are translated into social policy on community, national and international levels. Special attention is given to the ways in which values and power interests influence the creation of social policy. Emphasis is placed on the history of social welfare and related policies, the process of policy formation and analysis, and impact of policy on at-risk populations. Implications for generalist social work practice and services will be explored through a variety of class activities. Required for social work majors. Prerequisite: SWRK 180 Introduction to Social Work or the instructor's permission.

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SWRK 475 Field Experience

1-10 hours

Supervised experience in the discipline including internships and practica required for professional programs. This introductory experience must have an on-site supervisor and/or a departmental instructor overseeing, designing, and evaluating the content of the course. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

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SWRK 476 Field Education I

6 hours

The first course in the field instruction provides a beginning level of supervised field experience in a social service agency where students begin applying generalist practice skills of working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students integrate and apply concepts from social work practice courses focused on professionalism, ethics, policy, research, diversity, human rights and justice, and the generalist social work perspective. Additionally, students attend a one-hour seminar each week that addresses the integration of classroom concepts and experiences at the agency. (225 practicum hours in the agency) Prerequisites: SWRK 391 Social Work Practice I, SWRK 392 Social Work Practice II; declared social work majors only.

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SWRK 477 Field Education II

6 hours

The second course in the field instruction continues professionally supervised generalist social work practice in approved community agencies. Students integrate and apply concepts from social work practice courses focused on professionalism, ethics, policy, research, diversity, human rights and justice, and the generalist social work perspective. Additionally, students attend a one-hour seminar each week that addresses the integration of classroom concepts and experiences at the agency. (225 practicum hours in the agency) Prerequisites: SWRK 476 Field Internship I; declared social work majors only.

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SWRK 485 Selected Topics

1-3 hours

A special-interest class that addresses a relevant subject in the helping professions. 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 ecological theories; social policy; and treating addictive behaviors. Prerequisites: PSYC 150 General Psychology or SOCI 150 Principles of Sociology and at least sophomore level status or instructor permission.

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SWRK 490 Senior Seminar

3 hours

This course focuses on consolidating substantive knowledge regarding (1) social welfare policy 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 macro-levels of human experience, (5) methods of scientific inquiry necessary to assess human potential, problems, and the effectiveness or outcomes of professional interventions, (6) the professional presentation of “self” as a social worker, (7) the integration or interaction of various psycho-social theories with faith and learning, and (8) professional applications of the NASW Code of Ethics. Prerequisite: SWRK 392 Social Work Practice II.

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SWRK 495 Individualized Study

1-3 hours

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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