Social Work (SWRK)

Is designed to provide an introduction to the social work profession, the various work settings and current issues in social welfare. The course also provides an introduction to the generalist social work perspective and to systems theory that includes individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Case examples are used that relate to human diversity and social work values such as, empowerment, advocacy and confidentiality.

Is the first in a sequence of two courses about Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Comprehensive attention is given to the systems theory with a specific focus given to larger societal systems, organizations, and communities. The content was selected to provide a sound theoretical base of systems theory for beginning generalist practice. This course will also explore values and ethical principles of the NASW Code of Ethics as they apply to service delivery to diverse populations. Students are encouraged to consider the impact of individuals, , families, groups, communities on the environment and the impact of the environment on the individuals, groups, families, communities and organizations.

Is the second course reviewing Human Behavior and the Social Environment. The course provides a basic understanding of human development from conception through death. The life span approach builds upon social systems theory and the five specific systems that comprise the systems perspective in social work practice: individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. This course is based upon the philosophy that human behavior is shaped by many interacting biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. In each life stage, attention is given to the role of social work practice in a variety of agency settings working with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, and the importance of ethical responsibilities and professional values. Attention is also given to the impact of oppression, and the consequences of gender, socioeconomic status, and minority group membership on individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the structure and functions of the child welfare system from a social work perspective. The course will focus on the problems and issues in service delivery in areas of dependency, neglect, abuse, foster care, group care and delinquency from the generalist practice perspective. Additionally, students will learn the extent of the problem, effects on children, intervention issues, the social worker's role in a multidisciplinary team approach, and how to advocate for individuals and families. This course is the first of two specific course requirements for the child welfare certification available for state licensure.

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. Additionally, students will learn the extent of the problem, effects on children, treatment issues, the social worker's role in a multidisciplinary team approach, and how to advocate for individuals and families. This course is the second of two specific course requirements for the child welfare specialist available for state licensure. Students will learn about various practice skills and treatment intervention related to social work with abused/neglected children and their families.

Seeks to provide the student with a frame of reference in understanding the operations, components, environments, and interrelationships of social welfare agencies. In addition, the historical development of social welfare will be examined in an attempt to understand the development of social policy in light of the philosophical and value base of the society in which it develops. This course will also attempt to help the student understand ethical issues in contemporary society and the making of ethical judgments about policy choices in historical eras.

Is designed to provide students with the knowledge base for understanding and analyzing social welfare policies and programs. Special attention will be focused on methods of social policy analysis, how it is made, and the way it is affected by, and affects, larger political and economic forces. The course will examine specific social policies as a means to gain knowledge of the future prospects of the welfare state and their implications for social work practice and the social work values and ethics that influence their outcome. In addition, the course will help students gain an understanding of political processes and prepare them to become legislative and social advocates, lobbyists, and expert advisors to policy makers and administrators.

Acquaints students with changing psychosexual, social, economic, and political roles of women in contemporary society. The division of roles between men and women offers a significant point of reference for examining the history of the women's liberation movement.

Is designed to students in becoming knowledgeable regarding health care in the United States by looking at the definition and philosophy of health, the health care team, policy issues related to health care, and the organization and delivery of health care services.

Is designed to provide social work students and other students in helping professions (e.g., psychology, education, nursing and pre-law) in understanding legal systems that deal with such issues as confidentiality, child protection, domestic violence, special education, involuntary commitment and providing key testimony. Students will learn how helping professions play an active for advocating client protection and social justice

Includes and requires principles and techniques for helping oneself and others in crisis. The course’s focus is to (a) assess and understand the person or family in crisis, (b) prevent escalation of crises resulting in possible injury to self and/o others, and (c) to implement a crisis management plan, that includes a referral and follow-up process. Multiple domains of crisis will be explored using generalist and crisis models.

Is designed to familiarize the student with the basic concepts and methods of social science research. This course will focus on the application of these concepts and methods to the interpretation and analysis of research represented in the social sciences. This will enable students to become intelligent consumers of research. Second, students engage in selecting aspects of a major research experience in order to orient them to the research process. This course will also examine the ethical values and principles of social work practice used in research. This course meets the requirements for a WI course. Student must be senior status.

Provides an overview of generalist social work as a method and process covering fundamental concepts of social work values, ethics, principles and skills. Generalist social work is presented as a basic helping method used by social workers to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to achieve personal and social change. The assignments for this course are also geared to developing critical awareness of self, to increase awareness of individuals, family, groups and community organization levels of intervention, to develop beginning assessment skills, and to address cultural and lifestyle diversity issues in implementing ethnically and racially sensitive social work. As a part of this course, the student will also gain a better sense of self through exposure to diversity issues and individual, family, group community and organization settings. This course continues the introduction to the NASW Code of Ethics and the ethical standards relevant to beginning professional practice.

The overall purpose of this course is to provide students with content and practice skills in generalist practice with families, and groups. Through exposure to leadership in human service organizations, students become knowledgeable of the skills needed to provide services in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics and the values and laws of society. Attention is given to theories of organizational structures and their impact on service delivery. An observational experience in a local social service agency is required of the student; special emphasis is placed on their exposure to ethical social work practice with cultural and lifestyle diversity with special populations. The observation also provides the student with opportunities to experience group work practice.

The third practice course, is designed to provide knowledge and skills for working with communities and organizations. This course emphasizes the general practice model of assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow up and how it applies to macro level social work. Special attention is given to ethnic-sensitive, integrative, generalist social work practice with women, and other special populations and to theories of organizational structures and their impact on service delivery. This course also addresses specific issues and concerns regarding social work ethics and values that teach effective strategies to help communities and organizations achieve social change.

Provides a generalist social work practice-process framework that delineates cultural-common and cultural-specific social work principles. The purpose is to offer the student the opportunity to understand multi-cultural service delivery, relationship protocols and professional self-disclosure with people of color. It will also explore and develop resources for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations, utilizing the NASW Code of Ethics as the guiding principles for community interaction.

Addresses the understanding of international perspectives of aging and the care of the elderly. The course provides students with a theoretical foundation concerning concepts and issues relevant to the care of older adults in the interdisciplinary context of social work and nursing with an international focus. Offered in collaboration with nursing science faculty of the Medical University of Graz, this course is open to undergraduate and graduate students of both institutions and will be offered at alternative institutions each year.

This is the first of two required field work experiences, though students may opt for a summer block field work placement. The student is required to work 60 clock hours for each credit needed, for a total of 480 clock hours or 8 credit hours. Students are engaged in supervised, direct service activities, providing practice experience in the application of the theory and skills acquired in the foundation courses. The mechanism for supporting the integration of students' class and field learning is the required field work seminar taken concurrently with the field practicum.

The basic principles of SWRK 492 are continued. Further integration of knowledge and values in a supportive yet evaluative agency setting is a primary focus. Major emphasis is placed on the enhancement of self-awareness and an appreciation of human diversity in the practice setting. More advanced use of the problem-solving process is required.

Is designed to provide students with specialized courses of interest to the community. It is also designed to make students more aware of current issues and trends in Social Work. Examples of Topics courses are: Intimate Partner and Dating Violence, Manhood, Social Work and the Community, Social Work Theories, Social Welfare History, and Social Work and Computer Science.

Like SWRK 497, this course is designed for the student who is interested in pursuing an area of social work on a deeper level. The student works closely with the professor in developing a bibliography and discussing the readings.

This course provides an opportunity for senior level social work majors to explore advanced levels of generalist social work practice from a research practice and policy perspective. Generalist social work practice is explored from its historical fundamental concepts, values, and principles using current research and practice skills to enhance the student’s understanding of the relevance of research to effective practice skills with all levels of intervention. The research assignments are also geared to developing knowledge and skills of specific social work concentration that may enhance resources and services delivery to multicultural populations at risk.

This course is about social research. In simple terms, research is a way of going about finding answers to questions. Social research is a type of research conducted by sociologists, social scientists, and others to seek answers to questions, about the social world. Students should already have some notion of what social research entails. Social research is a collection of methods people use systematically to produce knowledge. It is an exciting process of discovery, but it requires persistence, personal integrity, tolerance for ambiguity, interaction with others, and pride in to doing quality work.

Is designed for the student who has completed SWRK 492 and SWRK 493 and wishes additional experience in field practice. The course is designed to be less structured than SWRK 492 and SWRK 493. However, close supervision, a journal, process recordings, and a continuous structured contact with staff insures relevance and integration of learning.