Social work courses

(4 credits) This course presents a history of the social work profession and social work practice. It incorporates the major fields of social work and the concepts and theories needed to understand the social, cultural, political, ethical and religious context that provides the ecological framework of social work practice, and it enables a thorough understanding of at-risk populations and of the problems which social work must address. Included are visits to agencies and guest lectures by social workers from the field. A central concern is the Christian's individual and collective responsibility for the health and welfare of fellow human beings. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

(2 credits) This course is designed to help students develop basic interviewing skills and techniques in the area of social work. This course will provide foundational skills in interviewing so that students can work effectively with individuals, families and groups from all diverse populations. Different techniques of interviewing and theoretical principles of interviewing will be investigated. Students will increase their practical skills through the use of an interactive learning environment and through intensive use of video feedback and role playing. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY111 or SWK140 or SOC101.

(3 credits)(Writing intensive) The course prepares students to engage in qualitative inquiry and research designs, including narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, participatory action research, focus groups, and ethnography. Comparative analysis of approaches, paradigmatic controversies, and mixed model designs are discussed. The course reviews strategies of inquiry, sampling methods, data collection, and analysis. Students will learn conventions of qualitative research writing in the field of social work. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: SOC101, PSY111, SWK210 and PSY215. (3 credits)

A study of selected topics in social work which are not adequately covered in other courses. This course would be offered as a response to student or faculty needs and/or interests. Possible topics could include: child welfare, grief and loss, crisis intervention, gerontology, disabilities, mental health, violence/abuse, health care issues and policy, international social work, substance abuse and diversity issues.(2-4 credits)

(4 credits) HBSE focuses on interaction between an individual's development and the functioning of groups, organizations and communities. This course is the foundation course in the human behavior and the social environment sequence to prepare baccalaureate students for general practice. It utilizes the person-in-the-environment perspective to integrate theoretical knowledge and research from the human, biological, psychological and social sciences in understanding human behavior. Human development across the life span within the context of the influence of ethnicity, race, culture, gender, social class, age, sexual orientation and disability is specifically addressed in an attempt to understand human behavior. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY111, SWK140, SOC101, or permission of instructor.

(4 credits) Examines theoretical foundations for understanding dynamics of social inequity, privilege, and oppression; focus on diversity and on populations at risk due to racism, sexism and classism; self-assessment of students' racial and cultural heritage as it shapes their attitudes and biases toward different cultural and racial groups; emphasis on helping students become culturally competent social workers who are grounded in their faith and who identify with the profession's respect for diversity and commitment to social and economic justice. Open to non-majors. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY111, SWK231, SOC101, or permission of instructor.

(3 credits) Examines social policy development and the political process, with special attention to the poor and disadvantaged. This course will assist students in acquiring skills to see the inadequacies, gaps and inequities in social policies in the past and present and help them develop critical thinking and advocacy skills, plus a commitment to change. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

(4 credits) This course examines therapeutic theories and models of directed practice with individuals and family systems. Emphasis is on etiology, diagnosis, and assessment with the application of psychosocial history, treatment plans, crisis intervention plans, and use of diagnostic tools, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (current edition). The course reviews evidence-based research for generalist practice with diverse population groups. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: PSY215, SWK140 and 231.

(3 credits) Develops a framework for how people groups form, group development formation, group leadership skills, theoretical approaches to group work, and ethical considerations in group work, including diversity issues. Students will be involved in an interactive group lab and service-learning group project. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisite: SWK370. Open only to Social Work majors.

(4 credits) Examines generalist Social Work practice theories and skills with organizations and communities. Students will develop competencies related to larger system practice, such as networking, community needs assessment, organizational theory and dynamics, larger system planned change processes, program evaluation, social action, community planning, grant writing, and supervision. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisite: SWK370. Open only to Social work majors.

(3 credits) The intent of this course is to introduce students to the philosophical issues related to social work practice. Areas of study include a critical analysis of the profession's role in society, and the relationships between social work values, its ethical guidelines, its knowledge base and research, and its practice skills. The course concludes with an analysis of the ethical and non-ethical issues facing practitioners and the various approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas. Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: SWK 370. Open only to Social Work majors.

(3 credits) This course is designed to complement the student's field placement and provide a forum in which to discuss field experiences-work assignments, problems, and ethical and non-ethical issues. Prerequisites: SWK 370, 376 and 386 Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C"or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

(10 credits) This is a field course which gives students the opportunity to practice generalist social work skills in a professional setting. The field sites are diverse, ranging from child and family services to mental health, community development and school social work. Emphasis is placed on introducing students to diverse ethnic, racial, sex and age-related group lifestyles and orientations. Students must achieve a grade of C or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved. Prerequisites: SWK370, 376 and 386.