300

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.

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.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 215 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 and familiarity with current programs, policies, and social work practice models for addressing addiction.

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 emphasizes how 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 treatment experience, including treatment planning, and ethical and cultural considerations.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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