SOCW - Social Work

Emphasizes conducting and applying statistical analyses with real-world social science data. Students will utilize a statistical software package commonly used by social scientists to conduct and interpret descriptive and inferential statistics. Students completing the course will acquire the skills necessary to both conduct and interpret statistical analyses in social science settings. Pre-requisite: Math 1304 or higher. Same as PSYC 2316 and SOCI 2305.

An introduction to the profession of Social Work and the institution of social welfare. Emphasis is on common human needs and problems, the development and functioning of social welfare as an institution of society, and the values, practice methods, and occupational settings of the Social Work profession.

This course and its sequel, SOCW 2314, examine those interacting systems which influence human behavior: individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This course also examines systems theory, diversity, and their implications for Social Work practice. Prerequisites: SOCW 2311 or consent of the instructor.

An overview of problems encountered by children and their families with an emphasis on community services designed to alleviate those problems.

This course examines those interacting systems which influence human behavior: individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This course also examines systems theory, the ecological approach, and diversity as they relate to the family's development across the life span. Individuals are studied within familial and social environments at each stage of family life. Prerequisites: SOCW 2311 or consent of the instructor.

This course initiates the practical preparation of students for beginning level professional practice. Generalist practice will be introduced, using an emphasis on the holistic view of human services and the ecological/systems theory of practice. Problem solving emphasis will be placed on individuals and families. Not available to non-majors. Prerequisites: Social Work major; ENGL 1321 and 1322; credit or concurrent enrollment in PSYC 3315 and SOCW 2312.

An examination of the policy making process. Current social issues, programs, and public policy issues will be explored. Intervention techniques aimed at influencing and changing social welfare and public policy will also be examined. Prerequisites: SOCW 2311.

This course continues the practical preparation of the student for beginning level professional practice as begun in SOCW 3311. Generalist practice will continue to be presented using an emphasis on the holistic view of human services and the ecological/systems theory of practice. Problem-solving emphasis will be placed on groups, communities, and organizations. Not available to non-majors. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SOCW 3311.

This course provides the opportunity to understand how diversity characterizes and explores the dimensions through the intersections of multiple factors that shape human experiences including age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and religion. Topics will provide the opportunity to begin the process to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups; as well as recognize and communicate the importance of understanding how differences shape life experiences. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above (same as SOCI 3325)

This course serves as an introduction to the concept and principles of case management and the core functions of case management practice in a range of settings. The case management process is traced from intake to termination, with in-depth attention given to the following areas: assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, recording, and evaluating. Emphasis is given to the responsibilities and skills of an effective case-manager. The context in which the case management occurs is reviewed and organizational, legal, and ethical issues confronting the case manager are addressed.

Students majoring in Social Work must complete the program's achievement examination prior to graduation.

This course continues the study of the generalist method of Social Work practice. Emphasis will be on the integration of the various components of the baccalaureate Social Work education sequence including social work foundations, liberal arts, values, special populations, human behavior, policy research, practice, and field experience. Prerequisites: SOCW 3313, 3314, 3315, 4312, and 4511. Corequisite: SOCW 4512.

An emphasis on scientific methods for building a knowledge base for Social Work practice and for use in evaluation of practice. Included will be research methodologies and designs for the systematic evaluation of Social Work practice and program evaluation. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

A course designed to gain an understanding of the normal aging process by using a bio-pyscho-social framework to examine the historical, cultural, physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Emphasis is given to the changes that are associated with aging and the resulting dynamic interactions between older persons and their environment. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311. (Same as SOCI 4313).

The course explores social, psychological and biological processes of death, dying, and bereavement. It includes processes that define the role of the dying and the status of being dead in our society and in other cultures of the world. Topics include cross-cultural practices related to death, funerals, burial rituals, suicide, terminal illness, and care systems that attend the dying. Other topics include the concept and treatment of pain, and medical, legal and ethical values related to death and terminal illness in contemporary society. The study of death and dying often includes a journey that is intellectual and scholarly on one hand, emotional and experiential on the other. The fusing of these elements offers a comprehensive understating of our individual and collective mortality. (Same as SOCI 4315)

This course is the third component in the practical preparation of the student for beginning level professional practice. Generalist practice will continue to be presented using an emphasis on the holistic view of human services and the ecological/systems theory of practice. Problem-solving emphasis will be placed on communities and organizations. Not available to non-majors. Prerequisite: Social Work major; SOCW 3311 and SOCW 3314.

Building on the content of SOCW 4312 Social Work Research I, this course is designed to enable students to apply the principles of creating, testing, and applying the scientific method to social work practice to include the development of theoretical perspectives, formulation of testable research hypotheses, execution of a research design, measurement, data collection, analysis of results, computerization, drawing conclusions, applications for use in social work practice, and the communication of the findings to a broader audience. Prerequisite: SOCW 4312.

Supervised Social Work experience in a local social service agency. Requires a minimum of 225 clock hours in the agency plus a weekly on-campus seminar. The practicum should help the student integrate academic knowledge and practice skills to meet the needs of clients. Successful completion of the practicum requires a grade of "C" or above. Not available to non-majors. Prerequisites: SOCW 3311, 3313, 3314, and 3315. Corequisite: SOCW 4316.

A continuation of supervised Social Work practice in a local social service agency within creasing responsibility and case involvement. Requires a minimum of 225 clock hours in the agency plus a weekly on-campus seminar. The practicum should help the student to continue to integrate academic knowledge and practice skills to meet the needs of clients and to deepen understanding of group, community, and organization functioning. Successful completion of the practicum requires a grade of "C" or above. Not available to non-majors. Prerequisite: SOCW 4511. Corequisite: SOCW 4311.