Social Work

Faculty

Leah Olson-McBride, Chair
Molly Bonlender
Alisha Meinen
Joshua Potter-Efron
Lisa Quinn-Lee
Jamie Tester Morfoot
Aaron Willis

SW 100 Introduction to Social Welfare (3 crs)

Introduces institutions, values, political perspectives influencing and structuring the well-being of people.

Attributes: GE V University Wide, LE-I1 Integration, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 220 Interpersonal Skills (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 100 and SW 290. Admission to social work program required.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Knowledge about self and interaction with others. Impact of culture on communications. Development of sensitivity to cultural diversity. Integration of knowledge, values, ethics, and skills with a professional sense of self.

Grading Basis: No Auditors

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 290 Human Rights and Global Justice (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 100

Human Rights and Global Justice provides a basic understanding of universal human rights and global justice. Social issues will be explored from a variety of perspectives, and field visits to local agencies/programs are required.

Attributes: LE-R2 Global Perspectives, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues, Service-Learning, Full 30 Hours, Field Trip(s) Required

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 2

Lab/Studio Hours: 1

SW 291 Special Topics (1-3 crs)

Issues of current interest in the field of social work.

SW 294 Introduction to Counseling Skills for Helping Professionals (3 crs)

Prerequisite: Credit cannot be earned in SW 320 and SW 294.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of basic counseling skills used within a range of human service professions. Students will become familiar with the steps in the helping process and the importance of culturally informed and trauma informed practices in human service professions.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 309 Community-based Corrections (3 crs)

Social work in prevention and treatment of crime and delinquency. Traditional and emerging community-based programs considered.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 315 Aging and the Aged (3 crs)

The process of aging, its problems, effects on society, needs of the aged, and social services to the aged.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 320 Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 335. Admission to Social Work program required.

Introduction to basic theories and methods of social work practice. Applied laboratory dimension focuses on professional communication skills with individuals (interviewing and writing). Linkages made to practice with families, groups, and communities.

Grading Basis: No Auditors

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 2

Lab/Studio Hours: 2

SW 323 Methods of Social Work Research (3 crs)

Prerequisite: Admission to social work program required.

Critical reading, evaluation of practice, and conducting basic social work research.

Attributes: LE-S3 Creativity

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 335 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 100, SW 290. Admission to social work program required.

•Permission to take SW 335 prior to admission to the social work program may be granted in limited instances. Contact department chair.

Interactions between persons and their social environments. Impact of functioning of communities, groups, families, and individuals on each other. Emphasis on dynamics of discrimination and oppression, and effects of race and racism, poverty, gender, sexual orientation.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 360 Death and Bereavement (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SOC 101 or PSYC 100 or consent of instructor. Minimum sophomore standing.

• Credit may not be earned in both NRSG/SW 360.

Through the study of current theory and research, this interdisciplinary course is designed to facilitate student understanding of death and bereavement from a lifespan, family, and cultural perspective.

Attributes: Wellness Theory, GE V University Wide, Undergraduate/Graduate Offering, Field Trip(s) Required

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 377 Self-Care in the Helping Professions (3 crs)

This class is focused on self-care, or the activities and practices that one can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress, maintain well-being, and prevent professional burnout. During this class, students will examine the knowledge base related to self-care, develop skills in specific self-care practices, and develop sustainable self-care plans for use as professionals.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 383 Social Welfare Policies and Programs (3 crs)

Prerequisite: Admission to social work program required.

Structure and content of social welfare policies; models of policy analysis; policy development; ethics. Emphasis on oppression, discrimination, and the social values of adequacy, equity, and social and economic justice, especially for oppressed and at-risk populations.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 385 Child Welfare (3 crs)

Service systems for dependent, neglected, abused, or delinquent children.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 389 Understanding Trauma (3 crs)

This course is focused on the concept of trauma, the impact of trauma on the well-being of individuals, and how to engage with others in a trauma-informed manner. The course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals who plan to work in health, human service, or educational settings.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 395 Directed Studies (1-3 crs)

Consent: Department Consent Required

• A maximum of nine credits earned in Directed Studies, Independent Studies and Instructional Assistant may count toward the major.

Social work study approved by supervising instructor and department chair.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Grading Basis: No Auditors

SW 399 Independent Study - Juniors (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to social work majors. Minimum resident and total GPA of 3.00.

Consent: Department Consent Required

• A maximum of nine credits earned in Directed Studies, Independent Studies and Instructional Assistant may count toward the major.

Intensive study culminating in a paper suitable for publication.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Grading Basis: No Auditors

SW 402 Instructional Assistant in Social Work (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW GPA of 2.5 or higher

Consent: Department Consent Required

• Completion of the course in which assisting with a minimum grade of C.

Qualified students, selected and supervised by faculty members, facilitate teaching and learning in a specific course. Instructional assistants enhance their knowledge of social work, and their ability to communicate that knowledge and facilitate group process.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

SW 405 Culturally Competent SW Practice (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 320. Admission to social work program required.

Understanding different minority groups of color with special focus on social services, programs, and ethnic-sensitive practice issues.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity 3 cr., Undergraduate/Graduate Offering, Field Trip(s) Required

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 471 Generalist Social Work Practice with Families/Groups (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 320. Admission to social work program required.

Knowledge, skills, values, and ethics related to social work practice with diverse, oppressed, and at-risk families and treatment groups. Applied laboratory dimension focuses on professional communication and assessment skills with families and groups.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 2

Lab/Studio Hours: 2

SW 472 Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities/Organizations (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 320

Knowledge, skills, values, and ethics related to social work practice in task groups, communities, organizations, and society. Emphasis on diversity, social and economic justice, and empowerment, especially for oppressed and at-risk groups, organizations, and communities.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 481 Social Work Internship (6-12 crs)

Consent: Department Consent Required

• Course may be taken for 6 to 12 credits. Six credit sections must be sequential. Acceptance as specified under criteria for admission into the internship (see internship admission requirements), criminal background check required. Transportation required at some placements.

Placement in social welfare agency for professional social work practice experience for one or two semesters. This course is the capstone experience wherein students integrate and apply learning to the work setting.

Attributes: LE-I1 Integration, Service-Learning, Full 30 Hours, Internship

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits

SW 482 Social Work Internship - International (12 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 323, SW 383, SW 405, SW 471, SW 472, and SW GPA of 2.50 or higher.

Consent: Department Consent Required

• Acceptance as specified under criteria for admission into the internship (see internship admission requirements), criminal background check required. Transportation to the internship site arranged by the student.

Placement in an international social welfare agency for professional social work practice experience for one semester. This course is the capstone experience where students integrate and apply learning to the work setting.

Attributes: LE-I1 Integration, Service-Learning, Full 30 Hours, Capstone Course, Internship, Special Course Fee Required

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

SW 490 Mental Health and Substance Abuse (3 crs)

This course will provide basic knowledge and skills necessary to practice effective generalist social work practice for those with mental health concerns and substance use.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 491 Special Topics (1-3 crs)

Selected social work issues of current interest that affect practice.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Repeat: Course may be repeated

SW 492 Advanced Child Welfare (3 crs)

Prerequisite: SW 385 must be completed with a C or better prior to taking SW 492.

An exploration of issues in our society that impact the welfare of children in the context of social justice and disproportionality. Particular attention will be paid to providing students with the knowledge of types of services available to dependent, neglected, abused, and delinquent children.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

SW 499 Independent Study - Seniors (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to social work majors. Minimum resident and total GPA of 3.00.

Consent: Department Consent Required

• A maximum of nine credits earned in Directed Studies, Independent Studies and Instructional Assistant may count toward the major.

Intensive study culminating in a paper suitable for publication.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits