SWK 103 Introduction to Contemporary Social Work [lecture] (3)
This course is designed as a beginning level course which acquaints students with the development of social work as a profession; the philosophy and value base of the profession; a generalist method of social work practice; and the diversity of settings in which generalist social work is practiced. It also provides initial exposure to special issues and/or groups within social work practice setings (examples: racism, aging, women, sexuality, people with disabilities, etc.). Course fee applicable.
SWK 204 Social Work Settings [Lecture] (3)
This course, a Social Work Division elective, is designed to provide sophomore level student with a base of understanding about several career tracks in the field and to assist their decision-making process in field placement selection. A unique onsite visit will occur in eac setting designed to increase the student's familiarization with the social worker's role as part of an interdisciplinary team. The student's classroom experience will provide an indept exploration of the current terminology, disabling conditions, and ethical and legislative issues germane to each social work practice setting. Prerequisite: SWK 103 (may be taken concurrently); for non-Social Work majors.
SWK 205 Ethnic and Social Diversity [Lecture] (3)
This foundation course is designed to provide students with knowledge of human diversity and social and economic justice in our nation and the world. Its goal is to help produce a culturally sensitive professional by increasing one's cultural awareness, promoting knowledge acquisition, and assisting in skill development. Students will end this course with a better understanding of themselves and of the diverse groups that will be examined. Also listed as SOC 205.
SWK 206 Drugs, HIV, and the Family [Lecture] (3)
A comprehensive required course addressing alcohol and other drug use (ATOD), HIV, and the impact of each on the family. Emphasis is on motivation for drug use and abuse, specific types of drugs and their indentification, physiological and psychological implications of alcohol, tobacco, and other (ATOD) drug abuse. Also listed as SOC 206.
SWK 301 Social Welfare History and Services [Lecture] (3)
This course helps the student obtain an analytical and critical understanding of social welfare philosophies, programs, policies, and issues, as well as their interrelationships with other parts of the social system. There is an exploration and analysis of the motivations and methods by which social welfare policies and programs were developed in the United States. Prerequisite: SWK 103 or permission of the instructor.
SWK 302 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I [Lecture] (3)
The course is designed to help the student understand social systems theory, as applied to culture and society, communities and organizations, group, and families; family life cycle, dynamics, and assessment; and human diversity, as applied to ethnocentrism and racism, gender roles and sexism, and sexual orientation. The micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work, social justice, and the tenets of social work ethics and values are infused throughout this course.
SWK 308 Social Welfare Policy [Lecture] (3)
This course focuses on basic concepts underlying the creation of social policy and its analysis. In addition, the interaction of social policies and programs on vulnerable groups, such as those who experience poverty, will be examined. Students will be introduced to critical analysis of legislationand the legislative process. This course builds on previous learning. Students will be expected to employ their knowledge from the Social Welfare Service course where historical groundwork was laid for current policy directions. Prerequisite: SWK 103 or permission of the instructor.
SWK 310 Social Work Practice: Individuals [Lecture] (3)
This course applies the generalist model to practice with individuals in a variety of social work settings. The content covers basic communication and treatment planning skills that can be applied to working with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. Communication and treatment planning skills are discussed based on an understanding of an ethnic-sensitive model of practice with diverse client populations. Prerequisites: SWK 103 and completed application to the major.
SWK 311 Human Behavior and Social Environment II [Lecture] (3)
The primary focus of this course is to help the students understand the interaction of the biological, social, and psychological systems with human behavior, as they impact the life span from infancy through late adulthood. Also, special attention is given to specific issues and life events, diversity, and theory, as related to each of the phases of the life span.
SWK 312 Social Work Practice: Families [Lecture} (3)
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students to social work practice within diverse family settings. Building upon the knowledge base provided by earlier courses, Practice with Families will integrate theory with both assessment and intervention. The goal is to provide the student with an opportunity to develop practice skills as they begin to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the various models and methods found within social work with families. In this course, students will identify and explore family compositions, thier rules, roles, relationships, and rituals. Intervention techniques, personal attitudes, and vlues in working with diverse family systems will be explored. Prerequisites: SWK 103 and completed application to the major.
SWK 350 Field Instruction I [Practicum] (1-2)
Junior year students will participate in a 40 or 80 hour supervised field instruction within a local social service agency, depending on the number of semester hours for which the course is taken. Concurrently students will attend a one-hour weekly field preparation class. The purpose for this placement is to expose students to social work practice outside the classroom and help students prepare for the senior field experience. Prerequisite: SWK 103 and completed application to the major.
SWK 404 Social Research Methods [Lecture] (3)
This course is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to social research methods, with a special focus on linking research to practice in the human services. The student will study the principles underlying scientific research, its ethical considerations. basic techniques, and potential impacts. Attention is directed to helping the student develop a beginning competence in critiquing research reports and preparing for future research projects and program evaluation. The course also includes single-subject and multiple-subject designs to provide opportunity for the student to understand systematic evaluation of practice. Prerequisite: MTH 200.
SWK 405 Social Work Practice: Groups [Lecture] (3)
This course includes social work theory and knowledge about groups and the dynamics that occur within a group, to gain the practice skills needed to prepare the student for beginning level social work with small groups. It includes content on the knowledge, values, and skills to enhance the well being of people, and to aid in the reformation of the environmental conditions that affect people adversely. Prerequisites: SWK 103, 310, and completed application to the major.
SWK 407 Social Work Practice: Communities & Organizations [Lecture] (3)
THis course concentrates on the history, philosophies, principles, and intervention strategies common to community organization, social planning, and administration of social welfare agencies. Case materials are presented to highlight some of the techniques used in these practice areas. Three types of macro practice are highlighted for discussion and learning purposes. They are social action, social planning, and locality development. Students, through participation in this course, are challenged to view themselves as social change agents and advocates for the disadvantaged and opressed. Prerequisites: SWK 103, 308, and completed application to the major.
SWK409 Child and Family Services [Lecture] (3) (Elective)
This course is a study of the development and range of public and private social services, principally in the western world, on behalf of children, youth, and families. This includes an analysis of issues and practice modalities in such areas as daycare, foster and adoptive home care, and institutional care. The impact of substance abuse on children will also be a majortopic. Prerequisite: SWK 103 (Offered alternate years.)
SWK 410 Christian Values and Practice [Lecture] (2)
This capstone course endeavors to integrate a Christian worldview with the professional social work perspective on helping. It provides a comparative analysis of social work values and ethics with biblical ethics and teachings. Prerequisites: senior standing and completed application to the major.
SWK 450 Field Instruction II [Practicum] (12)
Field Instruction is a supervised block placement completed in the practice field 32 hours a week, with a 2-hour seminar class for theoretical integegration held one day a week. The seminar will have weekly assignments designed to facilitate the integration of the cognitive, affective, and skill learning from the classroom and field. This course will have specific assignments tailored to integrate the theory and field experience the student has learned and participated in. Prerequisite: Completion of all required social work course except SWK 410
SWK 490 Topics in Social Work [Trip] (3)
Junior and senior students may participate in studying a particular area of social work not covered in other course areas. Topics may include a variety of contemporary issues. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
SWK 495 Independent Study in Social Work [Independent Study] (1-4)
Prerequisites for independent study are as follows: 1. Junior standing 2. A minimum of 9 semester hours in the discipline of the independent study. 3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the discipline. 4. Proof of motivation and ability to work independently. 5. Approval of the division in which the study is to be taken. 6. Permission from the student's advisor, the course instructor, the division chair, and the registrar.
SWK 498 Undergraduate Research [Independent Study] (1-3)
Students conduct laboratory research in social work under supervision of a faculty member. Permission of the instructor is required. Guidelines for independent study apply. A written report is required. May be repeated with new research. Prerequisites: 1. Junior standing 2. A minimum of 9 semester hours in the discipline of the independent study. 3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the discipline. 4. Proof of motivation and ability to work independently. 5. Approval of the division in which the study is to be taken. 6. Permission from the student's advisor, the course instructor, the division chair, and the registrar.
