Description of Courses

SW 201 3 credits
Introduction to Social Work
Introduction to society’s response to social need through a generalist approach to family services, child welfare, physical and mental health services, school related services, corrections, gerontology and populations-at-risk. Social Worker’s response to meeting the needs of various multi-ethnic and multi-needs groups are emphasized. Integration of micro, mezzo and macro practice is included.

SW 202 3 credits
Social Services to Children
This course takes into consideration the historical perspective, socioeconomic factors and the multicultural variables that affect child welfare in the United States. Social services available to children are conceptualized and include supportive, supplementary and substitute services. Family services, homemaker service, foster care, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), protective services, day care, adoption and institutional care are services evaluated and discussed.

Social Workers learning about physical challenges

SW 203 3 credits
The Process of Aging
Explores the various theories of aging along with biological and psychosocial aging. Other issues include gender and ethnicity, personality and intellectual development, mental health and physical disease. A review of the process includes the lifeline from birth to death. The dimensions of the whole person will also be addressed by exploring the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth necessary to achieve human potential in later life.

SW 207 3 credits
Intervention Strategies for Older Adults
Students are taught generalist skills to work with older adults at micro and mezzo levels. Students learn how to assess the needs of older adults and how to create services to meet those needs. Twelve different modalities are introduced. Students observe and participate in on-site agency intervention techniques. Students are directly involved with micro and mezzo practice, and participate in development of a community service program to benefit older adults.

SW 209 3 credits
Death and Dying
Examines the process of living with death and dying. The human dilemma is such that we move from birth to death. Case studies, media presentations, etc. focus on feelings and emotions of both the individual and the family as they cope with the last stages of the life cycle.

SW 231 3 credits
Culturally Sensitive Human Service Practice
Comparative exploration of ethnic, gender and subcultural norms of both clients and workers in various human service fields. Students examine the facts that eradicate biases of racism, ageism, sexism, sexual preference and groups
mistreated by society. Students define their own strengths and biases in preparation for culturally diverse practice. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement.

SW 301 3 credits
Social Welfare
Social Welfare system in the U.S., including impact of poverty and contributions of various minority populations is examined. Topics include the various facets of American social welfare systems, including political, economic and social structures. An understanding of poverty in the United States is achieved, as well as the strategies to empower those affected by poverty. Prerequisite: SW 201.

SW 302 3 credits
Social Policy
Process of policy formation including various components of American social welfare policies such as political and economic influences are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the social worker's understanding of the process of effective policy formation and his/her role in developing and implementing functional programs consistent with the mission of the social work profession to improve quality of life for all. Prerequisite: SW 301.

SW 303 3 credits
Human Behavior/Social Environment I
Focuses on integration of the individual’s biological, psychological, social and cultural systems from birth through young adulthood. Ecological and social systems approaches used to study the person in environment. The perspective considers reciprocal impact of the individual on the environment. Studies the effect of human diversity on behavior in social situations. Prerequisites: SW 201; PSY 101, SOC 111.

SW 304 3 credits
Human Behavior/Social Environment II
Focuses on integration of the individual’s biological, psychological, social and cultural systems from middle adulthood through later adulthood, using the ecological and social systems approach. Examination is made of interrelationship of micro, mezzo and macro systems. Effect of human diversity on behavior in social situations is studied. Emphasis is placed on ethnic and racial minorities, women and other populations-at-risk who are discriminated against. Prerequisite: SW 303.

SW 305 3 credits
Social Work Practice I
Introduction to generalist social work practice to explore basic knowledge, values and skills of micro level intervention required for an entry level professional practitioner. This course will focus on understanding the basic theories of social work intervention and assessment in working with individuals. Role play is integral part of classroom experience. Prerequisites: SW 201, one course in psychology, one course in sociology.

SW 306 3 credits
Social Work Practice II
This practice course focuses on mezzo systems which include family systems and small groups. Emphasis is placed on the use of generalist social work knowledge, values, and skills as they apply to working with mezzo systems. Theory related to families and groups, and empirically explored. Prerequisite: SW 305.

SW 316 3 credits
Introduction to Field Experience
This course will provide the introduction and foundation for the social work field education sequence. Students will explore the role of the social work profession in an organizational setting. Focus will be placed on understanding the re;ationships between theory and practice, and the social work intervention. Students will be introduced to generalist social work practice through a 100 hour social service agency experience. Prerequisite: SW 305.

SW 347 3 credits
International Community Development
Associated with the Dominican Republic Program, La Mision de Amistad, students learn theory, comparative cultural values, and the skills associated with community development within a developing country. This course fulfills the human diversity graduation requirement.

SW 401 3 credits
Social Work Practice III
This course will expand the understanding of generalist social work practice through the integration of knowledge, values and skills in working with
communities, organizations and government. Also included is discrimination and how it affects the functioning of these groups and the social work
profession. Emphasis is placed on macro social work generalist practice with an introduction of the global challenges of international social work. Prerequisite:
SW 306.

SW 402 3 credits
Social Work Practice IV- Capstone
This course is designed to serve as a capstone to the social work practice sequence. Students will demonstrate their understanding of working on micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice integrating theory, empirical research, values and skills as integral to the generalist practice of social work. Prerequisite: SW 401.

SW 403 4 credits
Senior Field Education I
Supervised social work practice in a human service agency. Students carry direct responsibilities. Minimum of 200 hours of work is required. Prerequisite: SW 306 and 316.

SW 404 4 credits
Senior Field Education II
Supervised social work practice in a human service agency. Students continue to carry out direct responsibilities. Minimum of 200 hours of work is required; Prerequisite: SW 401.

SW 405 3 credits
Methods of Social Research
Introduces students to various methods of social research, including data collection and analysis. Students select a research topic associated with their field education experience and write a research proposal. Prepares students to effectively utilize current research in a professional practice. Prerequisites: MAT 208 or 209 and senior standing; juniors need permission of instructor.

SW 407 1 credit
Senior Field Education I Seminar
Integration and application in greater depth of social work theory acquired in classroom with tasks and activities performed in social agency placement. Prerequisite: All major requirements. Does not count toward liberal arts core requirement. Co-requisite: SW 403.

SW 408 1 credit
Senior Field Seminar II
Integration and application in greater depth of social work theory acquired in classroom with tasks and activities performed in the social agency placement. Prerequisite: all major requirements.

Celebrating Social Work Month every March

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