SW 220 or Equivalent Social Work, Social Welfare and U.S. Society (3). SF S An introduction to the field of social welfare and its relationship to the social work profession, charged with carrying out its primary missions. Specific social welfare policies will be analyzed, particularly as those policies affect individuals and families in need. LEC
SW 510 Fundamentals of Social Work Practice (3). Introduces the basic concepts of social work practice including the focus and context of practice, the nature of a social work relationship; basic skills and techniques common to practice such as interviewing, engagement, information gathering, etc. Introduction to problem solving and social work roles. Prerequisite: SW 530, SW 540, and SW 555. (Spring)
SW 530 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3). A study of theoretical frameworks for understanding human behavior. The theories include the developmental stages across the life cycle, abnormal behavior compared to normal, analysis of family and societal processes and their effects on the individual, and individual behavior in relation to social class, ethnicity, and cultural background. Junior social work classification required. (Fall)
SW 532 Community and Organizational Dynamics and Human Behavior (3). An analysis of community and organizational life with emphasis on human behavior dynamics. Systems operation and change are considered and related to social functioning, especially as it impinges on social welfare objectives. Junior social work classification required. (Spring)
SW 540 Fundamentals of Research in Social Work (3). An examination of the basic concepts and principles of scientific inquiry as applied to the social work profession’s quest for and utilization of knowledge. Positivistic and naturalistic methods of inquiry are covered. Other content includes conceptualization, operationalization, sample design, ethics, and client participation in the research process. Junior social work classification required. (Fall)
SW 541 Social Work Research Seminar (3). Focus is on applying material learned in SW 540 to the critique of empirical work in the social work arena and to the development of a proposal for a practicebased research project. Emphasis on assessing relevance of research to special populations. Content on the interpretation of graphs, tables, and statistical measures provided. Prerequisite: SW 540. (Spring)
SW 555 Topics in Diversity (3). This class focuses both generally on human diversity and the consequences of minority status in U.S. society, and specifically on how social work is practiced with one particular minority group. The specific focus may change from semester to semester.
SW 601 Field Practicum (5). Students are assigned to social service agencies that provide generalist practice opportunities under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. This provides students with the opportunity to apply and test social work knowledge, values, and skills within an approved practice setting in order to gain competency as beginning social workers. This course is taken for two semesters (fall-spring), with credit being given only after completion of the second semester. Enrollment in this course must be concurrent with enrollment in SW 610 and SW 612. FLD (Fall/Spring)
SW 610 Social Work Practice Seminar I (3). Focuses on learning and implementing the problem-solving and interaction models of practice to be applied to individuals, families, and small groups. Concurrent with SW 601, practicum; students bring issues with clients to class for discussion. Open only to B.S.W. seniors. Prerequisite: SW 510. (Fall)
SW 611 Case Management (3). The philosophy, knowledge, and skills necessary for the practice of effective case management with a variety of client groups: the mentally ill, the elderly, and children at risk etc. Both didactic and experiential learning techniques are used. (Fall)
SW 612 Social Work Practice Seminar II (3). Second of two-course sequence extends the work begun in SW 610. Examines interventive strategies applicable to practice with larger systems. Models of community organization and community development are presented. Concurrent with SW 601, practicum; students work on individualized, agency-related projects. Prerequisite: SW 610. (Spring)
SW 620 Social Policy and Program Analysis I (3). A conceptual model for the analysis of social welfare problems and policies is developed. The framework is applied to the problem of poverty and major policies and programs developed to cope with that problem. In addition the model is used to examine social welfare problems/needs being addressed in the students’ practicum agencies. The focus throughout is on the understanding and application of the analytic framework. (Fall)
SW 621 Social Policy and Program Analysis II (3). The course builds on SW 620 using the conceptual model to examine a range of social welfare problems/needs, policies and programs. These areas include children/families and the elderly, as well as major problem/ policy areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice, adult corrections, and housing and homelessness. Emphasis is on advancing student’s understanding and skills for using the analytic framework. Attention given to the role of social workers in the legislative process for shaping social welfare policies. (Spring)
SW 623 Seminar in Professional Issues (3). Seminar in the philosophy, values, and issues in contemporary social work and social welfare. Seminar will address areas such as conception of profession and professionalism, standards, licensing, and professional regulation, accountability and professional responsibility. Senior social work classification required. (Spring)
