Social Work (SOWK)

This course provides an overview of social work as a profession with emphasis on various settings, roles, values and ethics, and professionals' work with diverse populations. It focuses on practical experiences designed to familiarize students with the dynamics of the profession.

This course introduces foundational frameworks of social oppression and human rights and how they relate to societal challenges. Appreciation for human differences, lived experiences and cultural competency are emphasized. Processes such as advocacy actions that address social problems are explored.

Detailed study of a topic of interest in social work. May be repeated for credit.

Detailed study of a topic of interest in social work. May be repeated for credit.

Study of qualitative and quantitative methods in social work research. Demonstrating scientific and ethical research processes including formulation of research questions, selecting a design, collecting data, analysis and interpretation of data, and exposure to evaluation of practice. Diversity and inclusion are highlighted in the research process.

Students study, observe and participate in interprofessional assessment, planning and delivery of community-based primary health care in partnership with residents and agencies of a host rural county. Learning activities will emphasize rural culture, rural health care and interprofessional practice.

This course examines phases in the social work process, with emphasis on engagement within a strengths-based generalist framework with individuals, families, groups and communities. It provides an introduction to supervisory feedback to develop capacity for reflective application of professional ethics and values, knowledge of human behavior, and key interpersonal skills necessary for collaborative, empowering and culturally responsive practice. Students develop technical writing skills in session planning and case documentation.

This course presents theoretical frameworks of human behavior and the social environment at individual, family, group, organizational and community system levels. The application of the frameworks to social work processes of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation is explored. The course integrates and expands prerequisite knowledge in psychological and socio-cultural sciences related to the dimensions of human differences in shaping human experience.

This course focuses on giving and receiving familial attention, care and support over the lifespan and across generations. Combines developmental and ecosystems frameworks to explore family life as the primary arena in which people learn and establish social behavior and interpersonal relationships, in conjunction with extrafamilial connections.

Explore types, effects and prevalence of substance use in the U.S. Impacts of use on individuals, families, communities and society is considered through biopsychosocial, economic and legal/political lenses. Dual foci include developmental risks and outcomes for individuals and families throughout the life course, and social policy debate and legislation. Includes a survey of intervention approaches and treatment modalities across the span of self-help, medical treatment, programs in behavioral health and court-mandated models.

This course introduces students to definitions, historical developments and factors in the social environment that have shaped understanding of mental illness in the United States and the responses of policy makers and practitioners to address community mental health needs. Service delivery approaches, ranging from those that focus on risk reduction, recovery and community integration/inclusion to those that focus on responding to public behavior and social control, are considered from the perspective of social work values and ethical principles. Students will be challenged to ponder questions of self-determination, social responsibility, justice, and the dignity and worth of persons in life situations that include the experience and impacts of mental illness.

This course examines the formulation and consequences of social policy in the context of contemporary social, cultural, demographic, political and economic conditions. Students develop skills in policy analysis, critique and change advocacy in U.S. society with emphasis on policy practice at the organizational, local, state and national levels.

Examination of historical and philosophical approaches to family policy. Evolution of family-related social policies in the United States is contrasted with those of selected foreign countries with the view toward a national family policy.

Examination of violence in the family, including spouse, sibling, elder and child abuse. Studies the social and cultural patterns and etiology of family violence. Examines programs and services for the abused and the abuser including shelters, support systems and counseling.

Study of the basic child welfare services along the continuum of prevention and support; assessment and identification of child abuse and neglect; evidence-based interventions; and family reunification and support. Analysis of legal framework and court services as well as ethical standards that guide practice. Utilizes a resilience and trauma-informed framework to assess practices in the child welfare system as well as collaboration with other systems involved with vulnerable children and families.

Operating from a cultural humility framework, this course focuses on practice, policy, and historical and social issues impacting LGBTQIAP+ individuals and their families. This course utilizes a strengths-based perspective to identify protective factors and explore resiliency within the LGBTQIAP+ community in the face of social stigma, marginalization and oppression. The course encourages students' critical self-reflection of personal and cultural value systems and how these may impact understanding of LGBTQIAP+ populations.

This course explores the scope and complexity of global/international migration and its impacts on national policy and social service structures and organizational response. It provides a framework to understand transmigration and acculturation, to analyze aspects of current immigration law, and to examine the role of various service systems to address the needs of immigrant and refugee individuals and families integrating into local communities. Service-learning in an agency that serves the local immigrant community is required.

An examination of social policies and responses to aging persons from historical and current perspectives in the United States. A survey of programs and services developed for older adults in the public and private sectors at individual, group, and community levels is examined, with consideration of professional skills, competencies, and credentials necessary for ethical and competent program implementation. Engaged learning through observations and participation in local programs serving older adults is required.

Emphasizing active learning, this course teaches the basics of grant and proposal writing. Efficient research, persuasive prose and the importance of relationships are stressed. Private and corporate philanthropy and government grants are examined.

Students learn to use group activities that include the creative arts, low ropes, and self-discovery in youth empowerment. The goal is to help youth build life skills and make informed decisions. Prior to beginning work with youth, students complete 25 hours of training.

Examination of service delivery systems and programs from a social work "person-in-environment" perspective that considers social, cultural, familial, and personal risk and protective factors. Theories of adolescent development from the physical, psychological and social sciences inform investigation of issues and experiences associated with youths being referred for services including behavioral health/mental illness issues, trauma, substance use, suicide, family disruption, sexual development, school difficulties, runaway and abuse/neglect/exploitation.

An interdisciplinary approach to assessment and care planning of older adults experiencing need for palliative and/or hospice support. Familial, cultural, legislative and social implications of programs and service delivery.

This course emphasizes the application of social work values, theories and skills with small groups. Engagement, assessment, planning intervention strategies, resource utilization and evaluation are examined in the context of experiential learning. Attention is given to how demographic backgrounds, power dynamics, as well as other forms of difference impact mezzo systems.

This course accentuates social work values, ethics, theories, perspectives, models and skills in evidence-informed, client-centered, generalist social work practice with individuals. Students learn and apply the phases of the planned change process with clients, including engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation. Learning is supported through development of a simulated case, including video-recorded client sessions and supervisory meetings with the instructor.

The application of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks, social work values and skills to organizational, community and policy practice is emphasized. Engagement, assessment, planning intervention strategies, resource utilization and evaluation are examined. Attention is given to the impacts of human differences and power differentials on macro systems. Community-based projects for organizations, communities and policies are utilized.

Offers students an opportunity to gain a broad knowledge of the basic functions, services and roles of the agency as related to actual social work practice, as well as a specific knowledge of practical intervention skills necessary to carry on effective social work practice. The field experience is the application of knowledge and skill components drawn from previous courses.

This course offers the student an opportunity to build upon previous field experience by having more responsibility and tasks designed to expand their practice skills in social work.

Examination of selected topics of social work practice which are of current importance in the social work profession. Course may be repeated for credit.

This course is restricted to majors in social work. The course provides students an opportunity to complete independent studies under faculty supervision. Course may be repeated for credit.

This course provides an orientation to the pedagogy and process of the field practicum. Students become acclimated to the placement process as well as the expectations and requirements of professional social work practice in field sites and includes a series of trainings on topics and issues needed prior to entering their field placement.

This course is the synthesis of coursework throughout the curriculum in developing and demonstrating competency as a generalist social work practitioner. Focal content areas are selected based upon results of program assessment trends. Key areas of professional identity and development are presented: professional credentialing, "presentation of self," employment-seeking, recognizing and managing professional burn-out, and self-care. Senior outcome assessment is integral to this course.