SOWK - Social Work

A grade of “C-” or above is required in all social work courses. Social work majors must earn a grade of "C+" or above in SOWK 201 to continue in the major. 

SOWK 201 Introduction to Social Work and the Human Services

Prerequisite: None. Participation in 40 hours of volunteer service is required to reinforce the course material. An introduction to the profession of social work. Includes an overview of the history of the profession, the social welfare system, professional values and ethics, the helping process, and areas of practice. Emphasis is on awareness of human diversity and the importance of examining one’s own values and attitudes. Includes 40 hours volunteer work in a local human services agency.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 214 Child Welfare: Policies and Services

An overview of public and private human service organizations that serve children and families. Social policies that affect the welfare of children, and the values upon which these policies are based, will be explored from an historical perspective.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOSW 217 Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice

Prerequisite: SOC 101 or SOWK 201. An examination of major theories and research about the causes of juvenile delinquency and various approaches to its control, prevention, and treatment: juvenile court, correctional agencies, community-based programs, and strategies for working with delinquent and at-risk youth.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 299 Special Topics

Offered at the discretion of the department. An opportunity for groups of eight or more students to study topics suggested by their special interests and those of the faculty and not included in the regular offerings.

Credits

3.0

Offered

As needed

SOWK 301 Social Policy and Human Service Programs

Prerequisites: SOWK 201 and junior standing, or permission of the instructor. An exploration of the fundamental concepts for analyzing public social welfare policy. The major public social welfare programs will be reviewed and analyzed. Perspectives on poverty in America will also be discussed.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOWK 302 Forensic Social Work

Prerequisites: SOC 101 and SOWK 201 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to working with individuals, families, groups and organizations that are, or have been, involved in the criminal and juvenile justice systems in the United States. Focus is on how social workers and others in the helping professions can bring about positive change through advocacy, empowerment, and therapeutic interventions for offenders and victims in various settings.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOSW 312 Addictions

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOWK 201 or permission of the instructor. An examination of current social scientific research and theory about different forms of addiction such as alcohol and other drugs, gambling, pornography, sex, food, and the internet. Students gain both a sociological understanding of addiction in its different forms as well as familiarity with current programs, policies, and social work practice models for addressing the problem of addiction.

Credits

3.0

Offered

As Needed

SOWK 320 Clinical Thanatology

Prerequisite: SOWK 201. End of life issues including communication patterns, anticipatory grief, dying trajectories, and awareness contexts will be discussed. This class is designed for nursing and social work students who want to work with the seriously ill and their families.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as NUR 320

Offered

Both Semesters

SOWK 325 From the Hospital to Home: Social Work and Community Behavioral Health

Prerequisite: SOWK 201 or PSY 101 or NUR 201 or permission of the instructor. An overview of mental health and mental illness from a social work perspective, including the history of treatment, current evidence-based prevention and recovery approaches, and mental health policy. This course has a specific emphasis on the ways in which trauma, substance use, and social determinants impact mental health and are approached by social workers. This course is not intended to build skills in providing treatment; however, students will learn about the experience of treatment, including treatment planning, as well as ethical and cultural considerations.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 327 Gerontological Social Work: Policy and Practice

Prerequisite: SOWK 201 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the issues facing older adults and the policies and programs created to address them. This course exposes students who are interested in clinical practice or policy to a context in which to examine their interest. Includes field visits and involvement with senior services in addition to classroom instruction.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 330 Social Work with Families

Prerequisite: SOWK 201 or permission of the instructor. A study of the the family as a psychodynamic group system from a social work perspective. The purpose of this course is to give the student an understanding of the various social work intervention approaches used in helping families.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Odd Years)

SOWK 333 The Fields of Social Service

Prerequisite: SOWK 201 or permission of the instructor. An examination of social work methods of intervention, the role of the professional, and characteristics of clients in various social service settings, such as corrections, health, mental health, family violence, and education. This course may be repeated for credit so long as the fields covered are different.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Either Semester

SOWK 342 Social Work Methods I

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, SOWK 345, or permission of the instructor. An introduction to and examination of the generalist practice skills necessary for work with individuals. Included are techniques for engaging the client, developing and implementing a treatment plan, working with diverse populations, and the value of research in practice. The student will have the opportunity to apply these skills in the subsequent field practice courses.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOWK 345 The Human Lifecycle and the Social Environment

Prerequisite: SOWK 201 and junior or senior standing or permission of the instructor. An overview and assessment of theories of human behavior as they relate to the development of individuals from birth to old age. The focus is upon the interplay of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors as they affect and are affected by human behavior, and upon the social systems that influence and are affected by this development.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 346 Human Rights and Social Justice

Prerequisites: SOWK 201. An analysis of human rights and social, economic and environmental justice and their intersection with the values, ethics, and practice of social work in a global context. Students learn and apply frameworks to specific practice areas relevant to the helping professions.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 370 Social Work Practicum

Prerequisites: SOWK 201, SOWK 301, SOWK 342 and permission of the department faculty. This practicum provides 120 hours of on-site work experience. Students work under the supervision of experienced, professional personnel in a human service agency. Not open to social work majors.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Either Semester

SOWK 375 Independent Study

Prerequisites: SOWK 201, 6 additional credits in social work, and permission of the instructor. Reading and/or research in a selected field of social work will be required. Each student must submit a typed proposal to the independent study instructor prior to course registration.

Credits

1.0 - 3.0

Offered

Both Semesters and Summer

SOWK 397 Special Topics

An upper-level special topics course offered at the discretion of the department. The content and methods vary with the interest of students and faculty members

Credits

3.0

Offered

As needed

SOWK 442 Social Work Methods II

Prerequisite: Senior standing, SOC 260 and SOWK 342 and formal acceptance into the Social Work Program.  An examination of theories of planned change and techniques of intervention with families, groups, organizations, and communities. Models of practice in mezzo and macro systems will be explored and critically evaluated. Empowerment, anti-oppressive practice, and social justice are emphasized.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 445A SoWk Field Practicum

Prerequisites: Senior standing, SOC 260, SOWK 301, SOWK 342 and formal acceptance into the Social Work Program.  A supervised field practicum experience in a social service setting that emphasizes application of social work theories, methods, and techniques. Requires 210 hours of fieldwork and 15 weekly seminar meetings each semester. Each semester-long course comprises a 4-credit practicum graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis and a 2-credit letter-graded seminar.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 445B SoWk Field Seminar

Prerequisites: Senior standing, SOC 260, SOWK 301, SOWK 342 and formal acceptance into the Social Work Program. Two-credit letter-graded seminar.

Credits

2.0

Offered

Fall Semester

SOWK 446A SoWk Field Practicum

Prerequisites: SOWK 445A and SOWK 445B. A supervised field practicum experience in a social service setting that emphasizes application of social work theories, methods, and techniques. Requires 210 hours of fieldwork and 15 weekly seminar meetings each semester. Each semester-long course comprises a 4-credit practicum graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis and a 2-credit letter-graded seminar.

Credits

4.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOWK 446B SoWk Field Seminar

Prerequisites: SOWK 445A and SOWK 445B. Two-credit letter-graded seminar.

Credits

2.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOWK 452 Seminar on the Social Work Profession

Prerequisites: Formal acceptance into the Social Work Program, senior standing and completion of the major requirements through SOWK 445A and SOWK 445B. An examination of the issues facing social workers entering professional practice. Students integrate social work knowledge, values, and skills and articulate and clarify their professional orientation and style of practice. Emphasis on critical thinking skills, practice evaluation, preparation for job searching, and identification of potential fields of practice. Completes the student’s training in the program.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester

SOWK 499 Departmental Honors

Prerequisite: By invitation of the department. The departmental honors paper is a two-semester senior-year program designed for students who wish to pursue intensive research or special projects in close coordination with faculty advisers. Departmental honors students are known as the Christine P. Tischer Scholars and receive 6 credits for this work.

Credits

6.0

Offered

Year Long