SOCIAL WORK (SW)


SW 2010. Professional Social Work in Contemporary
Society/(3).F;S.


Provides the student with the opportunity to learn
about social work as a major helping profession
and social work practice in a changing society.
Focus is on characteristics of the helping
professions; underserved populations in the U.S.;
and the wide variety of settings in which
professional social workers practice. Entry level
course for social work majors. Prerequisite: at
least second semester freshman standing.




SW 2020. The American Social Welfare System/(3).F;S.


An introduction to social welfare as a concept and
as a social institution: overview of the public
and private network of social programs and
services intended to help resolve personal and
social problems which interfere with the
fulfillment of basic human needs. Analysis of
major social issues, problems, and values which
shape social policy and the distribution of
resources in the U.S., with attention to several
other nations. Visit to social agency required.
Entry level course for social work majors.
Prerequisite: sophomore standing and SOC 1000 or
1100.




SW 2500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.




SW 2630. Human Behavior and the Social
Environment/(3).F;S.


Provides the student with the opportunity to
become skilled at assessing human functioning in
varied social contexts. The ecosystems approach is
applied to stages of the life cycle, providing
organizing concepts for the course. Review and
application of relevant social science and social
work theory, concepts, and research which provide
the bases for developing strategies for social
work intervention. Prerequisites: SOC 1000; PSY
1200; and BIO 1102 or its equivalent.




SW 3000. Basic Skills for the Social
Professions/(3).F;S.


Introduces students to topics and skills
considered basic to beginning social work
practice. Experiential learning is stressed. The
course is designed to teach effective
relationship, communication, interviewing and
recording skills, based on ethical and
professional values. A 40-hour volunteer
experience is required, providing students
opportunities to test out their knowledge and
skills in a professional setting. Prerequisite:
SOC 1000 and PSY 1200 or consent of instructor.




SW 3330. Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and
Issues/(3).F;S.


Examines policies and issues associated with
existing social service delivery systems,
emphasizes policy formulation and assessment of
alternative strategies for establishing and
meeting social goals. Influence of social work
principles, values, and practice on social welfare
policies and issues. Prerequisites: SW 2010, 2020,
2630, and PS 1100. (WRITING)




SW 3500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.




SW 3520. Instructional Assistance/(1).F;S.


A supervised experience in the instructional
process on the university level through direct
participation in a classroom situation. Grading
will be on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis
only. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. May
be repeated for a total credit of three semester
hours.




SW 3530-3549. Selected Topics/(1-4). On Demand.


Such topics as social work in health and mental
health and social work practice with disabilities
provide opportunities for attention to special
areas of practice and specific populations.




SW 3615. Foundations of Social Work
Practice/(3).F;S.


This course offers an opportunity for students to
examine both personal and professional issues
related to social work practice. Focus is on
sensitivity to, understanding of, and appreciation
for people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Study
of vulnerable, underserved groups in the United
States and examination of culture and social class
within the context of non-discriminatory delivery
of social services to these groups. Prerequisite:
admission to the practice sequence.
(MULTI-CULTURAL)




SW 3635. School Social Work/(3).On Demand.


Study of the role and competencies of the school
social worker as a member of the pupil personnel
team in the U.S. educational system. Social work
practice in the school setting with students,
their families and communities, will be examined.
Focus on addictions, disabilities, pregnancy,
poverty, serious behavioral difficulties.
Discussion of current issues and reforms in
education. Prerequisites or corequisites: SW 4000
and 4110 or equivalent.




SW 3650. Social Services with the Developmentally
Disabled/(3).On Demand.


A systematic study of social work practice with
the developmentally disabled. Course content
covers diagnostic terms and definitions, the
etiology of disabilities, prevention and
intervention services, relevant social policies,
legal and ethical issues. Prerequisites: SW 2020,
2630, and 3330 or consent of the instructor.




SW 3850. Social Work Research Methods/(3).F;S.


An introduction to the scientific approach to
building social work knowledge and skills. Topics
include social work theory and research,
formulation of hypotheses, defining and
identifying variables, research design, sampling,
research methodologies, and the collection,
processing, analysis and reporting of data.
Emphasis is upon the use of research to enhance
professional social work practice. Required of
majors. (NUMERICAL DATA; COMPUTER) 
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




SW 3860. Evaluating Social Work Practice/(3).F;S.


The application of research concepts, methods, and
data in the planning and evaluation of social work
practice. Builds upon key research concepts as the
context for the study of measuring the effects of
social work practice on individuals, families,
groups and communities. Topics include the use of
single subject designs and methods of assessing
the performance of service programs. Required of
majors. Prerequisite: SW 3850. (NUMERICAL DATA)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




SW 4000. Social Work Practice I/(3).F;S.


This course provides the opportunity for students
to learn a beginning base of practice theory with
individuals and families, utilizing an ecological,
holistic perspective. Focus is on basic values,
concepts and processes essential to generalist
social work practice. Attention is given to
assessment, goal setting, contracting, evaluation
and differential intervention planning.
Prerequisite: SW 3615. Prerequisite or
corequisite: PSY 2401 or SOC 3330. SW 4110 may be
taken concurrently. (WRITING)




SW 4110. Social Work Practice II/(3).F;S.


Applications of social work knowledge and skills
to intervention with mezzo and macro systems.
Focus on group purposes, composition, and
development, and techniques for working with
groups. Discussion of models and common elements
of macro practice. Prerequisite or corequisite: SW
4000. (WRITING)




SW 4358. Social Services With Children and
Youth/(3).S.


An introduction to the field of child welfare and
an overview of related social welfare services,
this course will deal specifically with the role
of the social worker in service delivery, and will
examine relevant social policies and their effect
on practice. Generalist knowledge, values and
skills applied to child welfare programs and
services. Prerequisites: SW 2020, 2630, and 3330
or consent of instructor.




SW 4365. Social Services With Troubled
Families/(3).F.


An introduction to contemporary theories, methods
and techniques employed by social workers to help
troubled families cope with a wide range of
problems including divorce, poverty, drugs and
alcohol abuse, psychological and physical
violence, and parent-child difficulties. Focus
on relevant social policies and services, and
building on the strengths of families and
utilization of formal and informal helping
networks. Prerequisites: SW 2020, 2630, and 3330
or consent of instructor.




SW 4551. The Social Context of Services to Older
Adults/(3).F.


This course focuses on both policy and practice
issues related to services for older adults.
Drawing on research from both sociology and social
work, the long-term impact on an aging society on
social institutions as well as relevant modes of
practice in addressing the needs of the older
population are emphasized. Prerequisites for
social work majors: SW 2020; SW 2630; SW 3330; or
consent of the instructor. Prerequisites for
sociology majors: none. (CROSS-DISCIPLINARY) (Same
as SOC 4551.) [Dual-listed with SW/SOC 5551.]




SW 4555. Death, Dying, and Living/(3).F.


An examination of how dying, death, and grief are
experienced, including how support can be given
through helping relationships to those who are
dying or experiencing bereavement. Consideration
will be given to the issues of euthanasia,
suicide, body disposition, living wills, and the
relationship of death to life. Students will have
the opportunity to explore personally the meaning
of death, other experiences of loss, and the
quality of life. [Dual-listed with SW 5555.]




SW 4565. Human Sexuality and Family Living/(3).S.


Information and concepts of human sexuality
including physiological, social, psychological,
and moral aspects will be studied. Such topics as
dating, marriage, prenatal and postnatal care 
and intrafamily relationships leading to reduction
of stress on family members are also to be
included. Emphasis will be placed on
communication skills-building. [Dual-listed with
SW 5565.]




SW 4650. Social Work Field Instruction/(9).F;S.


Supervised placement in selected human services
agencies to integrate theory with practice and
prepare for professional responsibilities.
Approximately 475 hours required in social agency
setting. Graded on S/U basis. Prerequisite:
admission to the practice sequence and all
cognates and social work required courses except
SW 4110.




SW 4690. Senior Seminar: Issues and Ethics for
Field and Profession/(3).F;S.


This seminar integrates academic concepts and
theory with the realities of social work practice
that students experience in field settings, and
explores and synthesizes contemporary professional
issues. Corequisite: SW 4650. (SPEAKING)