SOWK-Social Work

SOWK1720. Social Welfare in Contemporary Society (3)

This course is an introduction to the recurrent needs of citizens and how society is organized to respond to these needs with an emphasis on small towns and rural communities. The course is organized around the major themes of poverty, socioeconomic class differences, and other major differences among people that interact with poverty and classism. The course includes a review of the history and current nature of social welfare services.

SOWK2110. Introduction to Social Work (3)

This course is an introduction to the profession of social work. This course serves as an orientation to the nature of social work practice, the issues that confront social workers, and the types of client systems served by social workers with an emphasis on small towns and rural communities. Several social workers from varied practice specialties will be guests to describe their careers. Each student will be required to log some volunteer hours in a social service setting.

SOWK2850. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (2)

This HBSE course offers an assessment of the dynamic interactions of the social contexts in which human development occurs with an emphasis on small towns and rural communities. This course will review the processes for biological, psychological, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. An ecosystems framework will be employed to give special attention to diversity issues such as ethnicity, social class, and discrimination as factors affecting human development. Co/Prerequisites: SOWK2110, BIOL1060, BIOL1060L, PSYC1550, SOGY1550 or SOGY2030, and POLS1030 or ECON1050.

SOWK2851. Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (2)

An assessment of the dynamic interactions of the social contexts in which human development occurs. This course will review the processes for biological, psychological, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. An ecosystems framework will be employed to give special attention to diversity issues such as ethnicity, social class, and discrimination as factors affecting human development. Fulfills a General Education Tier III Cross-Cultural Experience.

SOWK2960. Field Experience in Social Work (1-4)

An in-agency experience involving observation and participation in the delivery of social services. Agency assignments will be made by the instructor. Prerequisites: SOWK1720 or SOWK2110; or, the instructor's permission. May be repeated for a maximum of four credits.

SOWK2970. Urban Field Experience (1)

This course is a several-day urban immersion experience and coordinated readings. The foci for this course will be to look at services for the homeless and the programs for the development of housing stock for low income people in one major urban area. Prerequisites: SOWK1720 or 2110; and the instructor's permission.

SOWK3250. Substance Abuse, Prevention, and Intervention (3)

This course is an overview of the phenomenon of addictions in general and addictions to substances in particular. This course will focus on the role of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in American society, the abuse of these substances, and strategies and policies for prevention and intervention of abuse. The skills required for professional social workers and allied treatment professionals to work with substance abusers will be considered. Special attention will be given to the role of macro policies, societal values, and the support systems required for effective intervention and prevention strategies. Prerequisites: SOWK1720 or 2110; or, instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years

SOWK3350. Child Welfare Services (3)

This course is an exploration of the nature and range of child (up to age 18) welfare services offered in the United States with some comparative studies from international social work. Material covering social work intervention strategies, governmental child welfare policies, and societal values regarding these strategies and policies will be introduced. Prerequisites: SOWK1720 or 2110; or, instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years

SOWK3450. Gerontology and Geriatric Social Work (3)

An overview of the need for and the nature of social work practice with the increasing population of elderly Americans. This course includes a review of the multiple dimensions of aging and the implications of these for social work practice with the elderly. Material covering social work intervention strategies, governmental policies and programs, and societal values regarding services for the elderly will be considered. Prerequisites: SOWK1720 or 2110; or, instructor's permission. Offered: Alternate years

SOWK3550. Social Work Methods I (2)

This course is a presentation of the basic skills, values, and knowledge bases for social work practice. Emphasis will be placed on the systemic contexts for the profession, its clients, and the nation's social welfare policies while introducing the student to an array of beginning social work practices. The ecosystems perspective for social work practice with an emphasis on rural communities and small towns will be used to focus on the individual and family client systems. Prerequisites: SOWK2110, 2850/2851, and acceptance into Methods Sequence. Corequisites: SOWK3590

SOWK3551. Social Work Methods II (2)

This course continues with the introduction of the basic skills, values, and knowledge bases for generalist social work practice. Students will develop an understanding of social work intervention with a strengths-based model. The ecosystems perspective for social work practice with an emphasis on rural communities and small towns will be used to focus on the individual and family client systems as well as relational systems in organizations and communities. Prerequisites: SOWK2110, 2850/2851, and acceptance into Methods Sequence. Corequisites: SOWK3590

SOWK3560. Social Work Methods III (2)

This course is an extension of the first practice methods courses (SOWK3550/3551). During this semester, attention will be given to the social worker engaging in intervention with groups, organizations, and macro client systems. Both the strengths perspective and the planned change/intervention process will be employed for teaching and analytical purposes. Diversity factors (e.g., racism, ageism, genderism, classism, sexual orientation and "foreignism") will be considered as issues for addressing assessment, case planning, and intervention. Prerequisites: SOWK3550/3551. Corequisites: SOWK3590/3591

SOWK3561. Social Work Methods IV (2)

This course is the final class in the social work methods sequence. During this semester, attention will be given to the social worker engaging in intervention with groups, organizations, and macro client systems. Both the strengths perspective and the planned change/intervention process will be employed for teaching and analytical purposes. Diversity factors (e.g., racism, ageism, genderism, classism, sexual orientation and "foreignism") will be considered as issues for addressing assessment, case planning, and intervention. Prerequisites: SOWK3550/3551/3560. Corequisites: SOWK3590/3591

SOWK3590. Skills Practicum (1)

This course is an in-agency setting for observation of and engagement in social work practice under the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Students will log 60 hours for each semester enrolled. Attention will be given to identifying the knowledge, skills, and values bases of the social work profession. During this junior year practicum setting, each student shall practice using the problem-solving process (including assessment, goal setting, development of strategies, action plans, termination, and evaluation). Corequisites: SOWK3550/3551 or 3560/3561

SOWK3591. Skills Practicum (1)

SOWK3592. Skills Practicum (1)

SOWK3750. Social Welfare Policy (3)

This course offers an investigation of the history, development, and current nature of welfare policies in the United States. Some comparative material with other developed countries will be added for the purposes of teaching and analysis. The dynamic interaction of organizations, rationale, and perspectives behind the policies and programs developed by federal, state, local, and private entities will be reviewed. Strategies for developing, implementing, and/or influencing the development of policies will be studied. Prerequisites: SOWK1720 or 2110.

SOWK3970. Social Work Research and Statistics I (2)

This course is an introduction to research and statistics as tools for understanding and improving social work practice. This course will include a review of traditional scientific research methodologies and alternative perspectives, such as the feminist approach to research. Attention will be given to employing descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, and evaluative research (and supportive statistical tools) to assess one's professional practice and agency programs, specifically in rural and small town comunities. Prerequisites: SOWK2110, 2850/2851.

SOWK3971. Social Work Research and Statistics II (2)

SOWK4094. Topics in Social Work (1)

This course is designed to cover current topics of interest in the field of social work. Prerequisites: SOWK2850/2851. This course may be repeated for credit.

SOWK4960. Advanced Practicum in Social Work (4)

This course is a senior-level social work internship in a social service agency. The student is assigned to work under the supervision of a licensed social worker. The placement is chosen to assure that the student attains necessary competencies for entry-level social work. Normally the internship experience is spread across two terms, involving 200 hours of on-location time for each semester. Corequisites: SOWK4980/4981/4982

SOWK4961. Advanced Practicum in Social Work (4)

SOWK 4962. Advanced Practicum in Social Work (4)

SOWK4980. Senior Field Seminar (1)

This course is a senior-level seminar that runs concurrently with Advanced Practicum in Social Work. This seminar is designed to help students integrate social work theory and social work practice. A small group format is used so that each student contributes to the learning of the other students. The focus is for each student to be prepared for entry into generalist social work practice upon graduation. Corequisites: SOWK4960/4961/4962

SOWK4981. Senior Field Seminar (1)

SOWK4982. Senior Field Seminar (1)