2007-08 Academic Catalog	home FAQs request

SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK

Programs offered:

•  Major in Sociology (8.0 course credits)
•  Minor in Sociology (5.0 course credits)
•  Social Studies Education major with a teaching license, grades 5-12 (see Education: Interdisciplinary Programs for Secondary Education) (13.0 course credits plus 8.0 credits in education)
•  Social Studies Area of Specialization for Elementary Education majors, grades 5-8 (see education) (5.0 course credits)
•  Major in Social Work

Sociology and Social Work Course Descriptions 

Sociology Faculty
Nicholas R. Ellig, chair
Polly A. Fassinger
Lynne M. Isaacson
Matthew L. Lindholm
Social Work Faculty
Laurie Dahley, field practicum coordinator and interim director of social work program Kristi K. Loberg

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 8.0 course credits:

•  SOC 111 — Human Society, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 228 — Research Methods and Statistics, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 356 — Sociological Theory, 1.0 credit
•  5.0 additional course credits in sociology
The requirements for a minor in sociology are 5.0 course credits:
•  SOC 111 — Human Society, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 228 — Research Methods and Statistics, 1.0 credit
•  3.0 additional course 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, 1.0 credit
•  P SC 311 — Methods and Techniques of Political Analysis, 1.0 credit
•  ECON 354 — Statistics for Business and Economics, 1.0 credit

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 5.0 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 provide enrichment to 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:  Our mission is to prepare students to provide service and social leadership favoring undervalued persons and providing conditions of hope by confronting
disadvantage through a framework of social justice and peacemaking. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for the national licensing examination. Many graduates pursue employment as Bachelor of Arts-level social workers, which features application of generalist practice knowledge, values and skills of social work. Many students report that they experienced 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 practicum education. Students interested in majoring in social work must make written application for acceptance into the major after completing S WK 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 department chair as soon as possible to develop their educational plan. Completion of a major in social work requires courses in the social work program and specific required supporting courses from the liberal arts curriculum.

Courses should be taken in the following sequence:

Freshman year, first semester:
•  SOC 111 — Human Society, 1.0 credit

Freshman year, second semester:
•  BIOL 101 — General Biology, 1.0 credit

Sophomore year, first semester:
•  PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology, 1.0 credit
•  S WK 283 — Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 1.0 credit

Sophomore year, second semester:
•  SOC 228 — Research Methods and Statistics, 1.0 credit. 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.
•  S WK 310 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 1.0 credit

Junior year, first semester:
•  S WK 383 — Social Work Methods I: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Individuals and Families, 1.0 credit
•  S WK 385 — The Social Work Interview, 0.5 credit

Junior year, second semester:
•  S WK 320 — Social Policy and Systems Perspective, 1.0 credit

Senior year, first semester:
•  S WK 350 — Comparative Cultural Encounter, 1.0 credit
•  S WK 384 — Social Work Methods II: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Groups and Communities, 1.0 credit

Senior year, second semester:
•  S WK 490 — Practicum in Social Work, 2.0 credits
•  S WK 494 — Social Work Senior Seminar, 0.5 credit

In addition, 2.0 credits from the following liberal arts electives are required (must be taken from two different departments):
•  ECON 201 — Principles of Economics, 1.0 credit
•  FNS 220 — Family Systems, 1.0 credit
•  FNS 227 — Consumer Economics, 1.0 credit
•  FNS 236 — Child Development, 1.0 credit
•  PHIL 110 — Thinking About Values, 1.0 credit
•  PSYC 357 — Abnormal Psychology, 1.0 credit (strongly recommended for those considering micro social work practice) •  P SC 211 — U.S. Political System, 1.0 credit
•  REL 344 — Christian Ethics in Human Community, 1.0 credit
•  REL 346 — Business Ethics, 1.0 credit
•  REL 347 — Biomedical Ethics, 1.0 credit
•  REL 348 — Environmental Ethics, 1.0 credit
•  REL 349 — Christian Ethics in the Material World, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 231 — Sociology of Families, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 317 — Gender, Self and Society, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 322 — Crime, Deviance, and Social Control, 1.0 credit
•  SOC 351 — Aging in Society, 1.0 credit

Completing your degree with a major in social work is required in order to take the state social work licensing exam to become a licensed social worker. Students majoring in social work who are interested in church social work or social ministry should complete:

•  CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
•  S WK 386 — Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 1.0 credit
•  CHPR 380 — Capstone, 1.0 credit

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.