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Social Work Undergraduate Course Descriptions

2307 Introduction to Social Work (3-0). An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of the social work profession, social work values and ethics, and fields of practice.

2316 Social Work Theory and Practice (3-0). This practice course uses an approach based on the stages of the helping process. It is designed to link theory and beginning-level generalist social work practice. The content in this course provides opportunity for students to experience practice situations through role plays and other experiential activities. These activities are designed to help students understand the very important relationship between theoretical orientation and stages of the helping process.

3306 Social Work with Groups (3-0). An introduction to group theory and practice. Topics include group formation and development, stages of the group process, ethics and legal issues relating to group practice, and group work with diverse populations.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

3307 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3-0). The biopsychosocial science base of social work practice. Includes theories of biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development within the context of the social environment through the life course. Focuses on the critical evaluation and application of theories and knowledge to person-environment transactions.
Prerequisites: Social Work 2307 and admission into the Social Work degree program or a declared Social Work minor.

3309 Social Work Practice I (3-0). The introduction to social work practice with individuals, couples, families and small groups, including the use of communication skills, supervision, and consultation. Focuses on engagement, assessment and evaluation, planning for service delivery, implementing empirically based interventions, and evaluating outcomes.
Prerequisites: Social Work 2307 and admission into the Social Work degree program.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: Social Work 3307.

3311 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3-0). The biopsychosocial science base of social work practice. Includes a critical analysis of the interactions between the person and the dynamic nature of groups, organizations, communities, society, and economic systems. Focuses on multiple dimensions of the person and the range of social systems in which they live.
Prerequisites: Social Work 3307, 3309.

3313 Social Work Practice II (3-0). The introduction to social work practice with large groups, organizations, and communities, including the use of communication skills, supervision, and consultation. Focuses on engagement, assessment and evaluation, planning for service delivery, implementing empirically based interventions, and evaluating outcomes.
Prerequisites: Social Work 3307, 3309.

3315 Social Work Policy and Practice (3-0). Provides the knowledge, skills, and values to apply social welfare policy and practice. Focuses on policy analysis, implementation of policy to achieve social and economic justice, and the impact of social policy on the social work profession.
Prerequisites: Social Work 2307 and admission into the Social Work degree program.

3355 Research Methods I (3-0). Presentation of the methods used in scientific inquiry and program evaluation; knowledge of how scientific evidence informs social work practice and how social work practice informs scientific inquiry is of primary concern. Focuses on the skills related to conducting research and practice evaluation. Ethical, cultural, and professional value considerations in the research process are emphasized.
Prerequisites: Social Work 2307 and admission into the Social Work degree program.

4303 Social Work and Children/Families (3-0). Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to children and families among diverse populations. Topics include the changing dynamics of families, social problems faced by children and families, counseling and intervention programs for children and families, child abuse and neglect, child and family advocacy, and the role of the social worker in foster care adoption, and the courts.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4305 Social Work and Mental Health (3-0). Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to people with mental illness. The role and function of the social worker in mental health settings is of primary concern. Promotes the application of social work values, ethics, and standards in work with mentally ill people from diverse backgrounds.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4307 Social Work and Aging (3-0). Provides a biopsychosocial perspective on the functioning of older adults. Topics cover the various aspects of geriatric social work including biopsychosocial changes associated with aging, assessment and intervention with the elderly, substance abuse and the elderly, group work with the elderly, issues surrounding spirituality, abuse and neglect, family and social support, and issues relating to death and dying.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4309 Social Work and Health Care (3-0). Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice in a hospital and other health care settings with people from diverse backgrounds. Topics include an introduction to evidence-based practice in health care environments, medical terminology, and biopsychosocial factors relating to physical illness and disease. Promotes the application of social work values, ethics, and standards in physical health care.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4311 Social Work Diversity and Ethical Practice (3-0). This course is designed to increase student awareness, knowledge and understanding of issues related to the diverse populations served in generalist social work practice. Additional topics covered include a history of the evolution of ethics in social work, ethics theories, and the ethical decision making process.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4317 Social Work and Case Management (3-0). An in-depth analysis of the case management process from a generalist perspective. Focuses on evidence-based practices in contemporary case management, clarification of practitioner attitudes, cultural competence, effective communication skills, client assessment, service plan development, case documentation, the monitoring of services and treatment, and case termination.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4321 Social Work and Domestic Violence (3-0). This course is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge of issues and methods relevant to domestic violence (spousal violence; intimate partner violence). The course content is designed to provide the participant with a foundation of understanding of domestic violence dynamics and a knowledge base for working with those affected by domestic violence.

4326 Social Work and Addictions (3-0). This course develops knowledge, assessment, and intervention skills, beginning competence necessary for working with individuals experiencing problems with the use of psychoactive substances and other mood altering behaviors.

4327 Social Work and Human Sexuality (3-0). Provides a biopsychosocial perspective on human sexuality across the lifespan. Topics include the male and female sexual anatomy/physiology, multicultural perspective of sexuality, sexual behavior, sexual orientations, sexuality across the life cycle, the prevention and treatment of sexuality problems, and social problems related to human sexuality.

4328 Social Work and Criminal Justice (3-0). A study of the interface of social work and the criminal justice system including policing, the courts, and offender rehabilitation. Topics include the roles of criminal justice personnel, crisis intervention, the assessment and treatment of juveniles and adults, justice involved special populations, casework in correctional settings, and the evaluation of treatment programs.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4333 Study Abroad: European Culture and Diversity (3-0). This course will highlight the unique and diverse culture of Austria, Netherlands, and Romania. The focus will be on how the culture and diversity of Austria, Netherlands, and Romania influence various areas of life; specifically related to the arts, culture, customs and traditions, and religion.

4336 Study Abroad: European Social Welfare (3-0). This course will explore the social welfare system in Austria, Netherlands, and Romania to examine the similarities and differences from the social welfare system in the United States. An examination of how Austria, Netherlands, and Romania have developed over time to address social welfare issues and how the policy implications have impacted the recipients of social welfare services in each country. The course will also examine the differences in how each country deals with social issues, and how these differences impact social welfare policy.

4346 Social Work and International Practice (3-0). This course will examine the growing trend of social work practice internationally and focus on economic, social, and environmental justice; along with the impact of international policy related to human rights, human trafficking, refugees, and poverty. It will also examine how global conflict impacts individuals safety and human rights.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307.

4370 Social Work Professionalism and Introduction to Field (3-0). This course will provide knowledge on Professionalism skills necessary for generalist social work practice which will include information on following professional values and standards outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, strict adherence to the competencies outline by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and preparation into field work. Topics include NASW code of ethics and ethical dilemmas that students may face, CSWE competencies and behaviors and how to incorporate them into practice, importance of self-care, malpractice insurance, interviewing skills, the role of the social worker in a practice setting, and importance of supervision in the practice setting.
Prerequisite: Social Work 2307 and admission into the Social Work
Program.

4371 Social Work Field Education I. A supervised internship of at least 250 hours in an approved agency appropriate to social work; fosters the integration of classroom knowledge, values, and ethics with practice-based knowledge that seeks to increase practice skills and promotes professional competence. Restricted to Bachelor of Social Work majors.
Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in all required Social Work courses, good academic standing as a senior in the social work program, and permission from the Social Work Program Director and the Social Work Field Education Director.

4372 Social Work Field Education II. A supervised internship of at least 250 hours in an approved agency appropriate to social work; fosters the integration of classroom knowledge, values, and ethics with practice-based knowledge that seeks to increase practice skills and promotes professional competence. Restricted to Bachelor of Social Work majors.
Prerequisite: Social Work 4371.

4373 Social Work Practice III (3-0). Students will demonstrate their knowledge, values, and skills learned in the B.S.W. program by completing a comprehensive exam and professional portfolio. Students will have three (3) attempts to successfully pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 70 or higher. Students will have one (1) attempt to pass the professional portfolio with a score of 70 or higher. Students must make 70 or higher on both the comprehensive exam and professional portfolio to pass the course and to graduate from the B.S.W. program.
Prerequisite: Social Work 4371.

4381 Special Topics in Social Work (3-0). Selected topics in social work. (May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.)

4391 Independent Research in Social Work (3-0). A specialized course which may be directed reading or research for superior students. (May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.)
Prerequisite: Approval from the Social Work Program Director.