SOCW - Social Work

What was, and is, a “Great” Society? This question serves as the historical and metaphorical theme as we journey from 1600 to 1968 exploring how and why the United States helps, or doesn’t help, vulnerable citizens. Ideas related to democracy, policy, social contracts, human rights, oppression, social justice, benevolence, and social control are explored.

A survey of the child welfare field of practice. Emphasis is on services provided to children and their families and the local, national, and state policies that guide them.

The first of four sequenced social work practice courses in which students learn generalist social work practice theory and method. In-depth presentation and study of the foundation layers of knowledge needed to implement generalist problem-solving within and between micro, mezzo and macro systems. Advanced status required.

Introduces theory and knowledge used in the person-in-environment perspective to prepare a foundation on which to build generalist practice skills. A focus on systems theory approach will lead to an understanding of how the biological, psychological, and social systems are interrelated and affect human development throughout the lifespan. Advanced status required.

Builds on the knowledge and theory learned in Human Behavior in Social Environment I. A combination of social systems and life span theoretical frameworks will continue to be utilized to provide a foundation for understanding human behavior from middle adulthood through late adulthood.

Second course in the social work course practice sequence builds on SOCW 325. Focus is on the skills needed to implement the generalist problem solving method within and between micro, mezzo and macro systems.

This elective course provides knowledge and skills essential for competent social work practice in an integrated health care setting, such as a hospital, primary care clinic or nursing home. Topics include health behavior theory, health care policy, research-informed practice in health care, and intervention in health care social work

The third practice methods course challenges the students to increase their generalist problem-solving, communication, assessment, and intervention skills with multiple systems. The Monitoring and Evaluation stage of generalist problem solving is highlighted.

Variable-content course; topic will be announced in the online Course Offerings each semester offered.

This final course in the practice sequence builds on all the preceding practice courses with a specific focus on indirect practice. The content and activities are designed toward mastery of the skills, values and knowledge competencies needed to work with, and in, organizations, communities, political institutions and global contexts.

In-depth exploration of a social work topic under the direction of a social work department faculty member, who is willing to sponsor the student. Students should have specific topics in mind before approaching an instructor and are expected to complete a research project and present his or her findings to the professor on the agreed upon topic. Once an Independent Study has been arranged and prior to the semester beginning, the student must complete the Independent Study Contract with the sponsoring faculty member.

The first semester of a professionally supervised 500 total hour placement in a human services agency. Students are expected to complete 250 hours of direct service to individuals, families, groups or communities and/or other duties expected of a beginning-level social worker during the semester. Students are expected to apply social work theory, knowledge and method to actual cases, identify areas of professional growth, process their experiences, and begin assessing their practice using standard research methods. Social Work majors only.

An extension of SOCW 480: Field Practicum I allowing for the sectioning of practicum students into small peer groups for weekly group meetings. Students are divided into sections and assigned faculty field liaisons who assist students develop and implement an individualized professional learning contract for their practicum placements. Weekly meetings are held to analyze issues discovered through the practicum experience. Faculty liaisons monitor and evaluate student performance for the entire practicum experience (SOCW 480 and 485).

The continuation of the student's experiential learning at the same agency in which the student was placed in during SOCW 480. Students need to complete 250 or more hours of direct service practice and/or other duties expected of the beginning level social worker.

An extension of SOCW 490: Field Practicum II which allows for the sectioning of practicum students into small peer groups for weekly group meetings. Expectations for student performance increase and new Learning Contracts are constructed and implemented. Weekly meetings focus on the critical assessment of the student's use of skill, knowledge, and theory in their practicum placement. Faculty field liaisons facilitate group meetings and monitor the practicum experience, evaluating student performance for both SOCW 490 and 495.