Social Work Course Descriptions

*GER Approved Course

*SW 280: Introduction to Social Work – 3 credit hours

Introduces students to the social work profession and its value, skill, and knowledge bases.

*SW 301: Human Behavior in the Social Environment I – 3 credit hours

Presents a social systems framework with a focus on individual and family systems. Emphasizes integration of social and behavioral theories. Prerequisites: SW 280, **Psy 105, **Soc 204, **Bio 100. (**These may be taken as a co-requisite with advisor permission.)

*SW 302: Human Behavior in the Social Environment II – 3 credit hours

A continuation of SW 301. Focus is on human behavior in the social environment, with an emphasis on groups, organizations, and communities from a social systems perspective. Prerequisite: SW 301.

SW 304: Social Work Practice I – 3 credit hours

Introduction to knowledge, principles, values, and skills for generalist social work practice. Prerequisites: Admission to the program, SW 301 and *SW 302 (**May be taken as a co-requisite).

SW 305: Field Practicum I/Seminar – 3 credit hours

A generalist base for social work practice that involves an on-site field agency practicum and a weekly seminar that focuses on continuing skill building for generalist social work practice. Integrates classroom learning with learning taking place during the field practicum. Prerequisite: SW 304 and Senior status.

SW 306: Social Work Practice II – 3 credit hours

Practice II continues the development of knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice, with the focus at the group level. Prerequisite: SW 304.

SW 308: Social Work Practice III – 3 credit hours

This course continues the development of knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice. The focus, however, is on generalist practice at organizational and community levels using a social systems approach. Prerequisite: SW 304.

SW 309 // MSW 509: Social Work in Criminal Justice – 3 credit hours

An investigation of criminal behavior, sanctions, and rehabilitation of offenders. Implication for social work practice with the criminal justice system is discussed. Course may be taken as either undergraduate or graduate elective but not in both programs. Prerequisite: Undergraduate — Sophomore status; Graduate — Admission to MSW program.

*SW 310: Social Issues in Diversity – 3 credit hours

An-depth investigation of several groups with minority status and their patterns of interaction in the United States: Native, African, and Hispanic Americans; women as a minority group; religions minorities; and the gay and lesbian population. Emphasis on social work knowledge, values, and practice skills with members of diverse populations. Prerequisite: Sophomore status.

*SW 312 // MSW 512: Death and Dying – 3 credit hours

The study of death and dying in American society; changes in attitudes and norms; future trends; services to clients and families. Course may be taken as either undergraduate or graduate elective but not in both programs. Prerequisite: Undergraduate — Sophomore status; Graduate — Admission to MSW program.

SW 313: Social Work and Aging – 3 credit hours

Social aspects of aging, including changing role definitions of the elderly and the special problems of growing old in today’s society; services to the elderly population. Economic and social justice issues and implication for social work practice are discussed. Prerequisite: Sophomore status.

SW 326: Women at Risk – 3 credit hours

This course evaluates the varied experiences among women of different cultures, geographies, socio-economic classes, religions, and developmental histories. The ability to determine the inherent risk of women as a group as well as among themselves will be explored. Students will be expected to analyze the potential risk of women from a cultural, developmental, and historical perspective in multiple areas of the human experience: individual, family, and community roles/perspectives; employment; health; socio-economic and political arenas. Prerequisite: Sophomore status.

SW 381: Ethical Considerations in Social Work Practice – 3 credit hours

Designed to heighten students’ sensitivity to the ethical aspects of social work practice, this course aids them in developing a personal approach to such issues, and helps them consider the essential elements in ethical decision making in professional social work practice. Prerequisite: Sophomore status.

SW 400 /MSW 541: Child Abuse and Neglect – 3 credit hours

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to child abuse and neglect from a social work perspective. Social workers in all professional work settings must know how to identify child maltreatment and domestic violence. Students will learn the family dynamics and indicators of maltreatment and effective interventions on the micro and macro level. Students will also learn the extent of the problem, its effects on children, treatment issues, the social worker’s role in a multidisciplinary team approach, and how to advocate for individuals and families. Course may be taken as either undergraduate or graduate elective but not as both. Prerequisite: UG — Sophomore status; Graduate — Admission to MSW program.

SW 401: Social Welfare Policy – 3 credit hours

Includes current issues and problems of social welfare policy and programs within a historical context. Prerequisites: Admission to the program; SW 280, **Pls 201 (**May be co-requisite with advisor permission).

SW 403: Child Abuse Interventions – 3 credit hours

Students will learn about various practice skills and treatment interventions related to social work with abused/neglected children and their families, and have several opportunities to develop their own skills through a variety of teaching methods. Prerequisite: SW 400.

SW 405: Research Methods – 3 credit hours

This course is an introduction to the logic and the techniques of research in social science. The emphasis will be on measurement, sampling techniques, research design, and data analysis. Prerequisite: Admission to the program.

SW 406: Field Practicum II/Seminar – 6 credit hours

On-site field agency practicum integrating generalist social work knowledge, values and skills. Classroom seminar provides an opportunity for all seminar practicum students to integrate learning with practice experience. Prerequisites: Senior status; SW 305, SW 306, and SW 308.

SW 410: Research and Statistics – 3 credit hours

In this course, the student will learn to analyze, understand, and present data using the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The basics of statistical analysis will be introduced.  Students will become informed consumers of published social work research and will develop competence in conducting basic research analysis.  Prerequisites: Junior or Senior status and SW 405.

SW 443 // MSW 643: Spiritual Issues in Later Life – 3 credit hours

This course helps students develop culturally competent skills for working with and understanding the spiritual worlds of older adults. Students will develop skills to assess and respond competently and ethically to the diverse spiritual and religious perspectives of adults in later life. Course may be taken as either undergraduate or graduate elective but not in both programs. Prerequisite: Undergraduate — Sophomore status; Graduate — Admission to MSW program.

*SW 499H: Servant Leadership in Action – 3 credit hours

This Honors College Senior Seminar offers instruction in current leadership theory and practice with specific emphasis on the Servant Leader. Classroom instruction, open discussion, and a team-oriented group activity will prepare students as community leaders and agents of change. Complementing the traditional classroom learning experience, this course includes the development, planning, and implementation of a class-wide service project to be completed as a team effort. This course fills a general education requirement (GER) in social and behavioral sciences. Prerequisites: Junior status; membership in Honors College.

Sociology 

*GER Approved Course

*Soc 204: Principles of Sociology – 3 credit hours

An introduction to the major concepts and principles relating to the study of society, social institutions, and social interaction.