Requirements for a Major or Minor in Sociology and Social Work
Programs offered • Major in Sociology (32 credits) • Minor in Sociology (20 credits) • Social Studies Education major with a teaching license, grades 5-12 (see education: interdisciplinary programs for secondary education) (52 credits plus 32 credits in education) • Social Studies Area of Specialization for Elementary Education majors, grades 5-8 (see education) (20 credits) • Major in Social Work Sociology The sociology department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes: • use the sociological imagination and demonstrate knowledge of the basic assumptions, guiding questions, concepts, theories and methods of sociology that inform its application • critically use sociological ideas, research methods and sociological evidence to answer questions about society and themselves • show that they see how sociology can enhance their understanding of the complexity and diversity found in human societies The requirements for a major in sociology are 32 credits: • SOC 111 – Human Society, 4 credits • SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits • SOC 356 – Sociological Theory, 4 credits • 20 additional credits in sociology The requirements for a minor in sociology are 20 credits: • SOC 111 – Human Society, 4 credits • SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits • 12 additional credits in sociology Students seeking a minor in sociology may use one of the following courses to satisfy the research requirement: • PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement, 4 credits • PSC 311 – Methods and Techniques of Political Analysis, 4 credits • ECON 354 – Statistics for Business and Economics, 4 credits However, students taking one of these options must then take an additional sociology course in place of SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics to meet the requirement for 20 credits in sociology. Social Work Social work education at Concordia College is framed by Concordia’s mission statement: “The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life.” The courses enrich the student’s liberal arts education through development of increased awareness of self, others, and social systems, enabling informed participation for leadership in community service and organizations. This is reflected in the social work program’s mission statement: “To promote human and community well-being by confronting disadvantage through a framework of scientific inquiry and human rights, favoring undervalued persons and providing conditions of hope, leading to individual and social change.” The social work program at Concordia College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for a state licensing examination, which is required for social work practice. With a Bachelor of Arts in social work many graduates pursue employment as generalist social workers, which feature application of generalist practice knowledge, values and skills of social work in a variety of settings. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, students are also eligible for advanced graduate placement in Master of Social Work programs. Many students report that they experience a “call” into the social work profession. The social work program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes: • apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice • understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles and practice accordingly • practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, values, and skills related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structures, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, belief and sexual orientation • understand the forms, mechanisms and global interconnectedness of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice • understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues – locally, nationally and globally • apply the knowledge and skills of evidence-based generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes • use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual (biological, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural) development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities • analyze, formulate, and influence social policies • evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice and evaluate practice interventions • use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues and communities • use supervision and consultation appropriate to generalist practice • function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change The Purpose of the Social Work Profession From the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy Statement: The social work profession receives its sanction from public and private auspices and is the primary profession in the development, provision, and evaluation of social services. Professional social workers are leaders in a variety of organizational settings and service delivery systems within a global context. The profession of social work is based on the values of service, social and economic justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, and integrity and competence in practice. With these values as defining principles, the purposes of social work are: • to enhance human well-being and alleviate poverty, oppression and other forms of social injustice • to enhance the social functioning and interactions of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities by involving them in accomplishing goals, developing resources, and preventing and alleviating distress • to formulate and implement social policies, services, and programs that meet basic human needs and support the development of human capacities • to pursue policies, services, and resources through advocacy and social or political actions that promote social and economic justice • to develop and use research, knowledge and skills that advance social work practice • to develop and apply practice in the context of diverse cultures Concordia’s Social Work Program The social work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1982. The curriculum is organized around eight themes: values and ethics, diversity, populations-at-risk and social and economic justice, human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, and field education. Students interested in majoring in social work must make written application for acceptance into the major after completing SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare with a grade of at least B- (2.7). A Concordia GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the program. All students planning to major in social work should request from the registrar to have an adviser from the social work program. Because courses follow a sequence, transfer students or students deciding on the major during or after the fall semester of their sophomore year should meet with the social work program director as soon as possible to develop their educational plan. Completion of a major in social work requires courses in the social work program. Courses should be taken in the following sequence: Freshman year, first semester: • SOC 111 – Human Society, 4 credits Freshman year, second semester: • BIOL 101 – General Biology, 4 credits Sophomore year, first semester: • PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology, 4 credits • SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 4 credits Sophomore year, second semester: • SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 4 credits Junior year, first semester: • SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Individuals and Interviewing, 4 credits • SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families, 2 credits Junior year, second semester: • SWK 320 – Social Policy and Systems Perspective, 4 credits • SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits. Students who are double majors in social work and psychology may substitute PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement and PSYC 301 – Research Methods in Psychology for SOC 228. Senior year, first semester: • SWK 350 – Comparative Cultural Encounter, 4 credits • SWK 384 – Social Work Methods II: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Groups and Communities, 4 credits Senior year, second semester: • SWK 490 – Practicum in Social Work, 8 credits • SWK 494 – Social Work Senior Seminar, 2 credits Students majoring in social work who are interested in church social work or social ministry should complete: • CHPR 110 – Introduction to Church Professions, 4 credits • SWK 386 – Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 4 credits • CHPR 380 – Capstone, 4 credits In addition, the social work internship placement should be planned in a church or social ministry setting. To earn a church professions certificate from Concordia College, social work majors must minor in religion as well as take the courses listed above. In addition, they must complete the appropriate internship in a church or social ministry organization. For more information, see the church professions pages of the catalog.
Course Catalog
