0050. Introduction to Social Welfare and Human Services (3 s.h.) S.

The course provides an opportunity for students to test their interest in the social work profession by introducing them to the wide range of areas in which social workers practice and the skills, knowledge, and values required in each area. Topics covered include: the history of social welfare, the profession of social work, generalist social work practice, poverty and public welfare, emotional/behavioral problems and counseling, family problems and services to families, sexual orientation, sexual concerns, and sex counseling, drug abuse and drug treatment programs, crime, juvenile delinquency, and correctional services, issues in education and school social work, social work in the workplace, racism, ethnocentrism, sexism, aging and gerontological services, health and medical social services, physical and mental disabilities, mental retardation, and family planning.

Note: Open to non-majors

0051. Helping Processes in Social Work I (5 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Thirty credits, including Psychology C060 and Sociology C050.

In this course, students are introduced to the social work profession, its value base, knowledge and skills. Students are placed in a concurrent field experience for six hours per week (60 hours during the Fall semester) through which they can engage in service tasks, develop an understanding of the service delivery system and test their own suitability for social work as a career. In addition, this course will enable the students to develop an understanding of racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and other forms of oppression and injustice. There is a focus on populations at risk, diversity, issues of social and economic justice, and human rights as they relate to work with people in client status, the social service delivery system, and society as a whole.

Note: Fulltime students must take concurrently with Social Work C060 or 0372.

0052. Helping Processes in Social Work II (5 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Social Work 0051.

This course builds upon the beginning foundation of professional social work introduced in SW 0051. The focus is on community practice as a necessary skill for social work practice at every level. The connection between the individual and the social environment is emphasized as a major strength of the social work approach. The course covers theory, skills, values and professional self development related to community practice. Content includes issues which affect social work practice such as racism, sexism, heterosexism and classism. Students continue to examine their own abilities for social work as a discipline and a career.

Note: May be taken concurrently with Social Work C060 or 0372 or 0053.

0053. Communication in Social Work Practice (3 s.h.) S.

Communication is a major component of all social work practice across all systems levels. This course provides students with opportunities to develop knowledge, values and skills necessary for effective communication in social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations and in policy arenas. Verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills are critical to effective social work practice. Understanding and application of these communication skills are stressed in this course.

C060. Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 s.h.) F S. Core: IN.

Prerequisite: Biology C071 or KIN C100, Psychology C050, and Sociology C050. Co-Requisite: Social Work 0051 or 0052, Biology C071 or KIN C100, Psychology C050, and Sociology C050.

This course is designed to explore the theoretical knowledge base of social work in relation to human behavior and human development within the context of the social environment. Theories of human behavior are identified as undergirding the practice of social work. The course begins with an exploration of the role of human behavior theory, its limitations and strengths and proceeds to draw from theories to provide knowledge of human development and human behavior throughout the life course from a person-in-environment perspective. The mutual influence of transactions between individuals, families, communities, social institutions and societies are explored using a social systems perspective. Interrelationships among biological, psychological, social and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior are studied using a number of interdisciplinary theoretical approaches including: social systems theory, concepts from ego psychology and role theory.

0110. Women and Social Policy (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work and related majors..

This course examines policy issues that have a major influence on the agency and well-being of women. It identifies values, attitudes, and belief systems about females that have contributed both to the problems women and girls experience and to the onceptualization and implementation of related policy responses in political, social, and economic areas. Policy areas covered include: economic status, labor force participation, family, caregiving, reproduction, substance abuse, violence, health, mental health, and international issues affecting women.

C121. The History and Values of Social Welfare (3 s.h.) F. Core: AC.

Prerequisite: Social Work 0051, 0052, 0053, and C060; Political Science C051, History C068; English 0050; and all remedial work.

Thia course provides an overview of the events that have influenced the provision of social services to people in the United States. The course considers the historical, political, economic, and cultural contexts in which social work and social welfare policy have evolved. Important historical events include: The Elizabethan Poor Laws, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, the Social Security Act, the Civil Rights Movement, the War on Poverty, the Reagan Revolution, and the policies of the current Bush administration. The course considers the unique characteristics of the welfare system in the United States and compares it to systems in other countries. It also identifies current dilemmas facing the welfare state and recent attempts to rollback the role of the federal goverment in social welfare programs.

0122. Social Welfare in the United States (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Social Work C121.

This course is the second half of a two-course sequence concerned with social welfare policy. The course is centered on the analysis of social problems and social policies in the United States. It covers the competing values, interest groups, conceptual approaches and processes involved in policymaking including implementation and evaluation. The course considers the ways in which policymakers have addressed human needs in specific areas. Topics include: different ways of defining poverty; the two major forms of income maintenance in the United States (social insurance and public assistance); health (both biomedical and social); substance abuse, hunger, and the service needs of children, older people, and those with disordered mental states.

0187. Independent Study in Social Welfare (1-6 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: By arrangement of instructor.

A program developed by instructor and student to permit the study of issues of interest to the student and relevant to social welfare and social work. Students must meet with the faculty member within the first week of the term and agree on: the topic area(s), readings, graded assignments, and due dates.

Note: Registration for this course requires prior consent from the faculty member with whom the student wishes to study. The academic advisor will register the student once the professor has agreed and the student communicates this information to the advisor. Study plan must be submitted and approved by the instructor and the Director of the BSW Program.

0188. Independent Study in Social Work (1 - 6 s.h.) F S SS.

Prerequisite: By arrangement of instructor.

A program developed by instructor and student to permit the study of issues of interest to the student and relevant to social welfare and social work. Students must meet with the faculty member within the first week of the term and agree on: the topic area(s), readings, graded assignments, and due dates.

Note: Registration for this course requires prior consent from the faculty member with whom the student wishes to study. The academic advisor will register the student once the professor has agreed and the student communicates this information to the advisor. Study plan must be submitted and approved by the instructor and the BSW Director.

0200. Emotional Disturbance in Children and Adolescents (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors..

Provides students with a knowledge base in emotional and behavioral difficulties of children and adolescents from the perspective of social work. Students will become familiar with the current literature in the field of child mental health. This includes knowledge about specific emotional and behavioral problems, theoretical perspectives for understanding child mental health and populations at risk, and current practices with children and families.

0270. HIV/AIDS and Social Work: Prevention and Practice (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Senior standing in social work..

This course provides an overview of the knowledge, skills, values, and policy issues related to prevention and service delivery to persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Note: Includes a minimum of 12 hours of volunteer work related to HIV/AIDS..

0280. Patterns of Service Delivery (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Social Work 0051, C121, 0122. Co-Requisite: Social Work 0052.

This course examines the practice of social service delivery within its organizational and environmental contexts. Social services are delivered within organizations that have varying degrees of economic, political and cultural complexities. Professional and organizational values and expectations are constantly in dynamic tension with each other. The impact of these tensions on the quality and quantity of services must be understood. This course addresses the professional social worker's role as a proactive force partnering with clients to advocate for quality services and systems improvement.

W285-W286. Seminar In Social Work Practice (3 s.h. each semester) F S. Core: WI.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Social Work 0051, 0052, 0053, C060, C121, and 0122; cumulative average of 2.00 or better; departmental approval; a minimum of 85 s.h. of successfully completed specified course work. Co-Requisite: Social Work 0290 in the fall semester, 0291 in the spring semester. Open only to seniors who are social work majors.

Senior Seminar is an integrative practice course. Students use the seminar format to learn empowerment based social work practice skills and to apply the social work curricular areas of human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, and research. The rich liberal arts background acquired from the Core curriculum and the content of the professionally related courses are used to inform social work practice. An important focus of both the Senior Seminar (SW 0285), and of course SW 0280 (Patterns of Service Delivery), is the agency environment in which the students practice. The realities of the formal and informal systems in which students do their fieldwork are constant foci of the Senior Seminar classes. The classroom instructor is the liaison for the students’ fieldwork agencies. This maximizes the opportunity to create an intense, supportive and integrative educational experience. Students stay in the same section and field agency throughout both fall and spring semesters. Previously acquired skills are enhanced while new skills are developed so that students acquire the competencies for beginning generalist social work practice at all levels with systems of all sizes.

0290. Social Work Practicum (5 s.h.) F.
Co-Requisite: Social Work W285.

Social work practice in selected social welfare and related agencies; 200 hours in the field. This experience provides students the opportunity to connect social work theory with practice and develop specific practice skills.

Note: For details on field placement process, refer to the Field Education Manual available from the Field Education Office.

0291. Social Work Practicum (5 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Social Work W286.

A continuation of the field practice begun in Social Work 0290; 200 hours in the field.

0301. Health Care Policy (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors..

This course traces the history of American health care policy. Current issues are studied, including AIDS, homelessness, costs, etc. The American system is compared with that of other countries.

0304. Child Welfare Policy (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors,.

This course will explore the historical, philosophical, legal, social, political, and economic influences on the development of child welfare services. Selected aspects of children’s lives will be examined to understand and analyze the state of children in the United States and the effects of state intervention in the lives of children and their families. A range of services from family supports to foster care, kinship care, adoption, and family preservation will be examined. Issues of access and equity, gender, differential needs and treatment of children based on race, socioeconomic status, and family type will frame the analyses. Comparisons between the U.S. and other countries will be made to address changes for the future.

0340. Social Transformation (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors. All non-majors must get prior permission before registering for this class..

An exploration of social transformation theories and practices in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and other uncategorized ventures for a different world. Topics selected by students range from art therapy to nonviolent civil disobedience. Emphasizes participatory learning and practical application in social work settings.

0363. Crime and Social Welfare (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors.

Social welfare implications for consumers, processors, and service providers; past, present, and emerging goals of the criminal justice system.

R365. Institutional Racism (3 s.h.) F S. Core: RS.

This course is designed to introduce and sensitize students to the forms, practices and effects of racism. The course will examine the historical foundations of racism as an ideology; various racial theories and theories of racism; and the practices that perpetuate institutional systems which continue to limit the opportunities afforded to persons of color. Specifically, we will emphasize the role of institutional racism in education, human services, housing, law, business and prisons. The complex interplay among racism and other institutionalized systems of oppression (e.g., sexism, ageism, heterosexism, ethnocentrism, anti-Semitism, etc.) will be explored throughout the semester.

0369. Societal Responses to Aging (2-4 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors..

Explores public and private resources, the need for social and political action, the network of services to meet the needs of individuals and their families, present policies and practice in income maintenance, health, housing, safety, and social status. Public-private sponsorship, cost, accountability, benefit levels and administration. Student social action projects completed and expanded.

0372. The Social Worker in the Group (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Sophomore or junior standing.

This course examines the dynamics of the small group. Different theoretical conceptualizations of the role of the social worker in the group are discussed. Concepts such as group norms, roles and leadership are examined. There is a special focus on work with community groups.

0373. Loss and Grief (3 s.h.) F.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors.

The dynamics of loss, the stress of grief and mourning, societal attitudes about death, and cultural variations in dealing with loss and bereavement practices. To help students explore and examine personal meanings about loss and to prepare students to be responsive and helpful as social workers working with those experiencing loss and grief. Class sessions combine cognitive and experiential material.

0374. Law and Practice of Human Services (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Senior standing in social work or related majors or permission of the instructor..

This course provides an introduction to the law as it affects the human services professional and the practice of social work. The course provides an overview of major areas of the law as they relate to juveniles, families, and the elderly. It also includes a review of professional responsibilities including informed consent, privileged communication, malpractice laws and the building of effective social work/legal terms.

0390. Introduction to Social Research (3 s.h.) F S.

Prerequisite: Psychology C067; Math C067; Sociology C067; or Statistics C021.

An introduction to the philosophy, concepts, principles, and methods of empirical research in the social and behavioral sciences. Characteristic stages and formats of social research are reviewed, with the primary aim of developing beginning competence in the critical assessment of published research and use of research techniques.

Note: This course should be taken in the senior year.

0391. Evaluating Programs and Practice in Social Work (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Social Work 0390, senior social work majors.

This course builds on the knowledge of research methods and data analysis taught in Social Work 0390 – Introduction to Social Work Research. The purpose of Social Work 0391 is to develop students’ abilities to use research methods for the purposes of evaluating social work practice, programs and policies.

Note: This course should be taken in the senior year.

0393. Community Organization Principles and Practices (3 s.h.) S.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing in social work or related majors..

This course is designed as an introduction to the basic principles, strategies and tactics of community organizing. It emphasizes the role of people in shaping decisions concerning their lives.