2007-08 Academic Catalog	home FAQs request

Social Work Courses

S WK 283 — Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 1.0 credit. E.
General historical overview of the profession; its values, ethics, methods and a beginning use of system theory. A study of human needs and the history of how our society attempts to meet these needs. Includes an introduction to the values in society, the social work profession and the means of perpetuating these values through various private and public agencies set up to meet human need. Students have the opportunity to discover their own aptitudes for this area of study. Open to all students.
Prerequisite: second semester freshman standing or permission of the instructor

S WK 300 — May Seminar, 1.0 credit. MS.

S WK 310 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 1.0 credit. E2.
A study of human behavior in the context of various social systems (bio- psycho-social and spiritual) and of life tasks, focusing on the influences individuals and the environment have on each other. There is a special emphasis on the systems perspective and human growth and development.
Prerequisites: SOC 111 — Human Society, PSYC 111 — Introductory Psychology and BIOL 101 — General Biology. Open to students intending to declare social work as a major.

S WK 320 — Social Policy and Systems Perspective, 1.0 credit. E2.
A study of current social policies, human services programs, and a review of related social problems. Special emphasis on systems perspective, critical analysis and human rights policy formulation.
Prerequisites: SOC 111 — Human Society and S WK 283 — Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare. Open to students intending to declare social work as their major.

S WK 350 — Comparative Cultural Encounter, 1.0 credit. E1.
This course examines the need for cultural competency and anti-racist education in contemporary Western society. Includes case studies, international comparisons of “double consciousness” and attention to the exclusion of culturally unique peoples from mainstream opportunities due to systemic institutional policy barriers and acts of individual, workplace and community discrimination. Strategies of opposition, social change, and enlightened human rights practices will be explored. Attention will be given to racism, particularly in the lives of women, and to other aspects of comparative cultural encounters.

S WK 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit. D.
Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.

S WK 383 — Social Work Methods I: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Individuals and Families, 1.0 credit. E1.
The study and practice of generalist social work, using a strengths-based problem solving model within the systems perspective including the generic values, knowledge and skills needed by the generalist social worker for effective problem solving. The helping relationship, its formation, use and purpose are also studied, as well as developing skills in intervention at various levels of practice (micro and mezzo). Attention is given to family system needs and linkage between practice and research.
Prerequisites: S WK 283 — Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and S WK 310 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Open to social work majors and to others only with permission by instructor. Students must also register concurrently for S WK 385 — Social Work Interview.

S WK 384 — Social Work Methods II: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Groups and Communities, 1.0 credit. E1.
The second social work methods course deals with processes (the problem-posing model within a systems perspective) in working with groups, organizations and communities. It applies and expands on the knowledge and skill attained in the first methods course in working with various size client systems, taking into account cultural differences, ethics, personal and professional values, and use of self. Study includes group dynamics, organizational and community processes, community work, levels of critical consciousness, participatory action research, and evaluation.
Prerequisite: S WK 283 — Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and S WK 383 — Social Work Methods I. Open only to those accepted into the social work major.

S WK 385 — The Social Work Interview, 0.5 credit. E1.
The primary focus of the course is on techniques of interviewing, verbal and nonverbal communication, with special attention given to cross-cultural, interracial and gender issues in interviewing. Students learn the purposes of the social work interview and identify its components and principles while comparing and contrasting it with other types of interview situations. The students identify and demonstrate ways in which the social work interview is utilized on behalf of client systems and in case management. Must be taken concurrently with  S WK 383 — Social Work Methods I. Open to social work majors only.

S WK 386 — Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 1.0 credit. E2.
A study of spiritual and religious roots for the formation of values, morals and ethics common to a motivation to serve. Attention to developing and applying a sense of compassion and social justice in the human services, church social work and social ministry. Open to all interested students.

S WK 390 — Cooperative Education, 0.5 to 2.0 credits. D.
A social work co-op provides valuable training and a laboratory in which to test classroom knowledge and one’s interest and aptitude in particular social work settings. Each cooperative education experience is tailored to the individual needs and goals of the student. Cooperative education hours apply to the contextual learning requirements for social work courses. It is strongly recommended that social work students enroll in at least one Cooperative Education experience.

S WK 480 — Independent Study, 0.25 to 1.0 credit. D.
This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.

S WK 490 — Practicum in Social Work, 2.0 credits. E2, S1.
Work experience with qualified supervision in an approved social agency or organization dealing in human or community services. Minimum time of 480 hours for satisfactory performance is required, together with participation in a seminar (S WK 494 — Social Work Senior Seminar) led by a faculty member. The practicum can be arranged during second semester or during the summer. Open only to those accepted into the social work major. S WK 494 must be taken concurrently. Prerequisites: S WK 283 — Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare; S WK 310 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment; S WK 320 — Social Policy and Systems Perspective; S WK 350 — Comparative Cultural Encounter; S WK 383 — Social Work Methods I; S WK 384 — Social Work Methods II; S WK 385 — The Social Work Interview; and SOC 228 — Research Methods and Statistics (or PSYC 230 — Statistics and Psychological Measurement and PSYC 301 — Research Methods in Psychology if the student is a double major in social work and psychology).