SW - Social Work

This course provides an overview of social problems and social welfare through an introduction to social work.  The course considers experiences of vulnerable populations and ways that systems of oppression operate to marginalize and exclude.  Students will learn about the use of social science to advance social justice, equity, and human dignity in communities and society.

Principles and methods of research on human behavior. Scientific method as an approach to problem identification, analysis, and solution. How to evaluate methods and findings. How to design studies relevant to a given problem.

Utilizes a focus on the history and process of social welfare in the United States and other countries to help the students learn how social welfare policy is organized and developed. Students also learn strategies and techniques to analyze current policy and influence future policy.

Drawing on critical theory and practice perspectives, this course examines how social forces operate to marginalize non-dominant groups and introduces methods for dismantling oppressive systems.  Students will engage models for liberation and anti-oppressive practice across interpersonal, institutional, and societal levels.  Special emphasis will be placed on addressing white supremacy, heterosexism/cis-sexism, ableism, and their intersections. 

This course analyzes human behavior as it's impacted by the social environment from a lifespan developmental approach. Students examine the effects of social structures, social policies, and cultural patterns on individuals from a variety of theoretical perspectives to better understand social conditions and problem areas in society.

This course will provide students with varying perspectives on human sexuality.  Through film, reading class discussion, and guest lectures, student will explore sexuality from historical, biological, psychological, developmental, sociological, and cultural contexts.  Attention will be given to how different perspectives on sexuality may affect individuals and the larger society.

This course will help students critically analyze biopsychosocial and cultural meanings of gender and body image, change (i.e., disability, illness, aging), and variations through interdisciplinary lenses. Students will explore the social construction of gender and the body as well as the consequences that differing meanings of “gender” and “body” can have on individuals in our society.

This course focuses on interviewing skills that are fundamental to the helping professions. Students will understand theories, concepts, and skills behind relationship building, active listening, and the interviewing process as well as how to apply knowledge and skills to affect change with various populations, problems, and settings.

Credit arranged.

This course examines the role of professional social work in a achievement of sustainability at the individual, community, regional, national, and global levels. Using a multidisciplinary perspective, the social, environmental, economic, and cultural aspects of sustainability are considered theoretically and practically, with a focus on issues of equity and justice across these dimensions. This course includes community-based, action-oriented learning projects.

This course explores how theories of social justice are implemented in practice in local and global contexts.  Students are required to complete a 50-hour community-based learning experience at an organization of their choice. The course culminates in an integrative paper and presentation on a social justice issue. Capstone course for Social Justice Minor.

This course introduces students to the field of gerontology. The course examines the aging process and its impact upon the individual, the family, and society. The course also covers various social, cultural, political, and economic issues for older adults in our society.

Introduction to group dynamics, contemporary models of group counseling, and the development of group skills.

This course examines theory, practice, and evaluation of interventions for children and youth across family, community, and institutional contexts. Students will critically analyze areas such as prevention, resilience, and positive youth development and develop specific skills through experiential practice laboratory sessions. Attention will be paid to effective and culturally appropriate programs and strategies for traditionally marginalized and oppressed populations.

This course provides an overview of death, dying, loss, grief, and bereavement from a personal and political perspective. We will explore grief as activism to advance healing and transformation on personal and societal levels. Historical and current examples of grief used in political action will be studied, drawing on social movements advancing racial justice, environmental justice, and queer LGBTQIA+ liberation

Students will spend six weeks engaging in services in Quito, Ecuador.  The focus is on issues impacting mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of individuals/communities in Ecuador and services designed to address these issues & work for social/economic justice.  Comparisons are made to systems in the U.S.  Approval of Studies Abroad Director required.

This course focuses on generalist social work practice with individuals, families, and groups using the problem-solving process. The course also focuses on social work values, ethics, and issues relevant to sensitive social work practice with populations-at-risk. Social work majors only.

This course provides generalist social work practice knowledge, values, and skills as applied to work with groups, organizations, communities, and societies. The course focuses on social work values, ethics, and issues relevant to sensitive social work practice with populations-at-risk. Social work majors only.

Intensive supervised field experience in selected social work agencies. Students spend 16 hours per week in the field. Social work majors only.

Intensive supervised field experience in selected social work agencies. Students spend 16 hours per week in the field. Social work majors only.

Credit arranged.

Credit arranged.

Credit arranged.

Participate directly in the research process with a faculty member. Before enrolling a student must consult with a faculty member to define the project.

Practical field experience working within a human service organization. Internships are individually arranged and may be done in a wide array of settings. Students will be required to supplement their experience with a classroom seminar. Social Work majors may take up to 6 credits in internships. Students may receive an IP (In Progress) grade until the completion of their internship.

Research, study, or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, department chair, dean, and the director of the honors program, when appropriate.