Course Descriptions

Social Work Entry Level Courses and SWK 280
The social work major offers three ways to begin the BS degree: SWK 100 is for those students interested in the profession; SWK 210 is for students more interested in policy and advocacy; and SWK 230 is for students interested in international social work and global issues. All three courses are equal as introductions to the major.

All three courses feature an experiential learning component. Students volunteer 40 hours in a human service agency, program, or institution. The placement is selected by the student, approved by the course instructor, and supervised by agency staff. These courses are also open to non-majors. The department also offers a course in human diversity, SWK 280, that is to be taken after the entry level courses.

SWK 100 Introduction to Professional Social Work
This course provides an opportunity for students to explore a possible social work major or future career in human services. Students will receive an overview of social welfare as an institution and social work as a profession. The course examines service needs associated with the unequal impact of social, economic and political structures on diverse groups in society.

SWK 210 Environmental Justice and Social Change
This course examines the relationship between environmental justice issues and principles and methods of social change. It explores the relationship between environmental damage and damage to human populations, the differential effect of environmental damage on specific populations, and the ways social change agents can mobilize action to correct these injustices.

SWK 230 Global Peace and Social Development
This course offers a framework for understanding sustainable social and economic development and nonviolent social change. Case studies present examples of how social work and human services function in a global context and are vital to fostering peace, human rights, and well-being.

SWK 280 Diversity and Inequality in Professional Practice
This course explores diversity and social inequality as they relate to professional practice in social work and other helping professions. Building cultural competence in work with diverse populations, students learn through dialogue, reading, experiential exercises, and community observation.

Course Sequence and Concurrency

Social work upper level courses are taught in a two-year sequence. Courses are taught once a year. The following courses must be taken together during the same term (as indicated):

SWK 301 History and the Analysis of Social Policy
The history of social workers, social movements, and changing social norms in Europe, North America, and around the world profoundly affects social welfare policy today and tomorrow. In this course, students learn how historical events, policies, and programs influenced today’s social responses to human needs. (Prereq.: junior standing and pass CT assessment or GST 100. Fall)

SWK 303 Human Development and the Social Environment
Students focus on the theories and knowledge of human bio-psycho-social spiritual development throughout the life span. Students will study how people develop, with attention to the interaction among individuals, families, and the changing social environment. The course takes a life span perspective of human development, from birth to death in the context of the person in the environment. Traditional approaches to life “stages” are also explored, along with less traditional issues, such as human behavior and development as a result of different cultures, sexual orientation, poverty, differing physical or mental abilities, and the relationship between diverse statuses and the social environment. (Fall)

SWK 306 Social Work Practice 1: With Individuals
Students develop foundational social work practice knowledge, skills, and values while learning to interview, assess, set goals, and work with individual clients. Course readings, class participation, simulations, and role-plays provide learning opportunities for students to build skills necessary for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. Emphasis is on holistic practice applying the strength-based problem solving approach and working with diverse populations. (Coreq.: SWK 307. Fall)

SWK 307 Field Work 1: Integrative Seminar
Students begin applying practice knowledge and skills in their first social work practicum. Social work professionals in regional human service agencies supervise students in a full-year field placement. Students also synthesize their course-based learning with their supervised training through participation in weekly integrative seminars. Students complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised practice in the fall term. (Coreq.: SWK 306. Fall)

SWK 316 Social Work Practice 2: With Families and Groups
Students continue to develop generalist social work practice knowledge, skills, and values while learning to interview families and facilitate groups. Emphasis is on holistic practice applying the strength-based problem solving approach and working with diverse groups and families. (Prereq.: SWK 306, 307, and ENL 111 or 112 or HON 111. Coreq.: SWK 317. Spring)

SWK 317 Field Work 2: Integrative Seminar
This course is a continuation of SWK 307. Students apply practice knowledge and skills in their first social work practicum. Students synthesize their course-based learning with their supervised training through participation in weekly integrative seminars. Students complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised practice in the spring term. (Coreq.: SWK 316. Spring)

SWK 406 Social Work Practice 3: With Communities and Policies
Students learn how community organizations, human service agencies, and social policies emerge in Western society. Students study how to organize communities for empowerment, how to assist human service agencies to adapt, and how to influence local, regional, and national policies. (Coreq.: SWK 407. Fall)

SWK 407 Field Work 3: Integrative Seminar
Social work professionals in regional human service agencies supervise students in a senior year field placement. Students synthesize their advanced course learning with their supervised training through participation in weekly integrative seminars. Students complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised practice in the fall term. (Coreq.: SWK 406. Fall)

SWK 401 Social Work Research and Evaluation
This course will provide students with an introduction to positivist and constructivist theories and related methods commonly used in both social science research and social work evaluation. Students will learn to integrate social work values and ethical principles with social science research and evaluation. Methods of program and practice evaluation will be examined. Various approaches to organizing information and interpreting data will also be examined. (Prereq.: MAT 163 or SOC 362, and MPG 3.Spring)

SWK 417 Field Work 4: Integrative Seminar
This course is the social work major keystone course and a continuation of SWK 407. Social work students synthesize their advanced course learning with their supervised training through participation in weekly integrative seminars. Students complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised practice in the spring term. (Spring)

Internships and Independent Study Courses

SWK 199 Internship

SWK 295 Topics:
Special themes in social work specified in subtitle.

SWK 299 Directed Study

SWK 399 Internship

SWK 499 Independent Study/Research