Undergraduate Social Work - Course Descriptions

See course sections and download syllabi by clicking on course number (SOWK XXX) below

REQUIRED COURSES

SOWK 281: Introduction to Social Work

This course introduces the student to the profession of social work within the context of the social welfare system. It provides an overview of an integrative approach to generalist social work practice which emphasizes intervention on individual, environmental and societal levels. Special emphasis is placed on values, human diversity, social problems and social work fields of practice. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites: SOCI 100 or PSYC 111 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 340: Human Behavior and the Social Environment

The primary focus of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of human behavior and development from a social systems approach as affected by biological, cultural, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Emphasis is on the role of individual, family, small group, organization and community in human behavior as related to social work practice areas. Cultural, ethnic and life-style diversity and their affects on the development of human systems is stressed. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites: SOWK 281; PSYC 202 and BIOL 111 or 112; or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 355: Communication and Interviewing Skills

This course is the first of a four-course practice sequence. The primary focus is on communication theory and skills as applied to working with individuals, families, small groups and communities. An integrative approach of generalist social work practice provides the context for intervention on individual, environmental and societal levels with an emphasis on self-awareness, beginning assessment skills, and cultural and lifestyle diversity issues. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites: SOWK 340 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 375 and SOWK 376, or SOWK 378: Junior Fieldwork in Social Work  [top]

Junior Fieldwork complements the student's academic work through practical experience in a social work agency, institution, or department. Under the supervision of an agency field instructor, the student learns beginning social work tasks and functions while applying theory to actual social work situations. Students participate in an on-campus seminar with other junior social work majors while in placement. The placement is currently 10 hours per week during fall and spring semesters. Also offered in Weekend College with placement during fall and winter trimesters. Prerequisite: SOWK 281 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 380 or INDI 380: Social Work Research: Designs and Statistical Application  [top]

The purpose of this course is to assist students in gaining knowledge and skills to understand the problems/persons generalist social workers encounter. The goals of the course are to have social work students understand and be able to apply research methods, techniques, and tools to behavior and the social assessment of both client-systems and one's own practice effectiveness are consistent focal points of the course. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites for majors: SOWK 281 and junior status or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 385: Working with Groups: Theory and Practice  [top]

This course is the second of the four-course practice sequence. The primary focus of the course is on the study of human behavior in groups with a special emphasis on how the social work profession uses groups to accomplish individual, family, organization, and/or community goals. An integrative approach to generalist social work practice provides the context for intervention on three levels: the individual, the environment and society. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites for majors: SOWK 355 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 391: Social Policy for Social Change  [top]

This course equips students to understand and critically analyze current and past social policies. Policy alternatives are explored with a focus on the values and attitudes as well as the societal, economic and political dynamics from which they originate. An emphasis is placed on the connection between human needs and service programs. Roles and responsibilities of citizens and professionals in formulating and implementing policies responsible to actual social needs are addressed. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisite: SOWK 281 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 401: Generalist Practice with Individuals, Groups and Families  [top]

This is the third course in the four-part practice sequence. This course prepares students for generalist social work practice working with individuals, families, groups, social organizations, and broad societal areas. Application of social work knowledge through increased development of skills is a primary focus. The overall goal of the course is the integration and application of the stages of the generalist social work method. Concurrent registration in SOWK 405 is required. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites: SOWK 385 and senior major status or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 402: Generalist Practice for Social Change  [top]

This course is a continuation of SOWK 401 and the final of four courses in the practice sequence of the social work curriculum. The focus is upon the development of intervention methods based on generalist social work knowledge that can be applied to all client systems. A special emphasis is placed on effects of oppression and strategies for social action. A combination of lecture, discussion, experiential learning, and small-group activities provide student with knowledge and skills for client advocacy and social change. Prerequisites: SOWK 401 and concurrent registration in SOWK 406 is required.

SOWK 405 and SOWK 406: Senior Fieldwork in the Social Services  [top]

Senior Fieldwork complements the student's academic work through practical experiences in a social work agency, institution, or department. Under the supervision of an agency field instructor, the student learns in an on-campus seminar with other senior social work majors while in placement. The placement is 15-20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters. Concurrent registration in SOWK 406 is required for SOWK 405, and concurrent registration in SOWK 402 is required for SOWK 406. Also offered in Weekend College.

ELECTIVES:

SOWK 210: Relationship, Intimacy, Sexuality [top]

This course addresses three major areas: exploring values and societal influence on relationships, intimacy and sexuality - the influence of culture, religion, family and friends; understanding self-worth, communication patterns and the effect of family and other significant relationships on the development of one's needs/wants in relationships, intimacy, and sexuality; discovering the basic attributes, purposes, and powers of significant relationships, intimacy and sexuality. Participation in a structured small group discussion is required. Open to non-majors. Also offered in Weekend College. Cross listed in Women's Studies.

INDI 291: The Anatomy of Violence  [top]

The purpose of this course is to increase the knowledge and understanding of cultural, racial, and interpersonal violence and increase one's commitment to promoting a violent free society. The content includes exploration of the extent, causes, and effects of violence and strategies for intervention on micro and macro levels. Topics include: domestic violence, peer/dating violence, prostitution, sexual harassment/assault, child abuse/neglect, racism, homophobia, etc. Special emphasis is given to the integration of cultural and social diversity (race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexual orientation) and the promotion of social justice. Open to non-majors.

SOWK 293: Grief, Loss and Coping  [top]

The overall purpose of this course is to help the student to develop conceptual understanding, skills, and competencies relative to grief, loss, and coping. The course content includes theory from psychology, socioology, social work, medicine, and materials form literature, lay-people and a spectrum of multicultural influences. Small group exercises and reflective writings will provide opportunities for each student to learn from each other's experiences, as well as self-exploration of beliefs regarding grief and loss.

INDI 300: Social Roots of Personal Stories: Studies of Diversity through Literature [top]

The course examines the link between personal experience and public issues/social problems through the use of literature and academic inquiry. Literary works exploring various dimensions of diversity are read and considered using the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to understand the dynamics of social justice/injustice. Consideration is being given to offering the course in day school in the future.

SOWK 414: School Social Work  [top]

This course examines the school as a social institution which serves to educate and socialize children into American society and the role of the Social Worker in such a setting. Emphasis is placed on discovering similarities and differences between social work and education values and tasks and the process of integrating social work values into a school setting. Social work with special and at-risk populations is discussed. This course also examines specific handicaps to learning and the role of the social worker in helping students, schools and families adjust to and cope with special needs. Emphasis will be placed on evaluation of school social work practice. Interventions with children which fit within a school setting are included.

SOWK 416: Child Welfare Policy  [top]

This course is designed to give students an overview of important topics in child welfare practice and policy. Students will be asked to examine their own values about orientations toward child welfare, children's rights and responsibilities, the nature of maltreatment, and other issues facing the field today, as they affect diverse families. Additionally, students will be given tools to advocate for children and an opportunity to exercise new advocacy skills. Graduate students (GRSW 516) will be expected to show a deeper engagement of the material. Graduate students will also complete an extra course assignment.

SOWK 423: Practice with Older Adults and Their Families [top]

An introduction to and overview of social work knowledge, skills, and values as applies to working with older adults and their families. Content includes an examination of theories and attitudes toward aging, the nature and limitations of gerontological social work, forces shaping the delivery system, major biopsychological dimensions in practice, and different models of intervention.

Top