Social Work

SOWO 120: Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work

This course is an examination of the origin and development of social welfare as an institution in the United States. Examination of the role of the social worker and the place of the profession in society is the focus of the study.

SOWO 125: Family and Child Welfare

This course is a comprehensive study of the principal child welfare services. It defines child welfare, placing it as a field of practice within social work, and presents a scheme for the categorization of child welfare problems in terms of role theory. It provides an historical perspective on how and why welfare services developed and describes the current socio-economic context in which they operate. Topics covered include adoption, child abuse and neglect, day care, foster care, and other child caring institutions.

SOWO 130: Addiction and Recovery

This course provides education on addiction to students interested in an enhanced understanding of the effects of addiction on individuals, families, and the community at large. Topics covered in the course include the effects of substances on the body, the relationship between addiction and mental illnesses, family issues resulting from addiction, the role of peer pressure, and identification, prevention, and treatment of addiction.

SOWO 135: Working With the Aged

This course is a study ofthe biological, psychological, social, economic, cultural, and spiritual factors of the aged in society. It is an overview for persons in the helping professions who want to work with older people individually or with members of families, groups, organizations, or communities. Research efforts are presented that illuminate present knowledge about various aspects of aging and about the heterogeneous elderly population in the United States. Afield experience is an integral part of the course.

SOWO 145: Women’s Issues Across the Life Span

This course is an examination of the dilemmas facing women at various points throughout the life cycle. The study includes an exploration of the historical underpinnings of the women’s movement and the formation of female gender identity in childhood. Subsequent emphasis is on adulthood, middle adulthood, and the later years of life. (This course maybe taken for credit as SOCI 145.)

SOWO 150: Social Problems

This course introduces the basic concepts and perspectives of the study of society including analysis of the principal institutions, social processes, and social problems experienced in contemporary society. (This course may be taken for credit as SOCI 150.)

SOWO 151-159

Courses in this series are activity courses which may be taken only on a credit/no-credit basis.

SOWO 160: Field Observation

This is a 50-hour observational experience in a social welfare agency of the student’s choice. The purpose of the field observation is to increase the student’s knowledge of the role of the social worker in an agency and assist in the support of social work as an appropriate career choice. May be taken in conjunction with SOWO 120 and completed before enrolling in SOWO 350.

SOWO 210: Human Diversity

This course explores areas of human diversity, including race, religion, gender, national origin, socio-economic status, developmental challenges, sexual minorities, and alternative lifestyles. Using a systems approach to understanding human behavior, students study the impact of diversity on developmental tasks at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Interventions, needs of the population, and available community services are explored. Implications for policy, research, and practice are considered. (This course may be taken for credit as SOCI 210.)

SOWO 215: Equine Assisted Interventions

This course emphasizes the therapeutic use of horses. The course focuses on methods to determine and meet the needs of individuals with physical, psychological, or cognitive limitations or issues. Students will participate in therapeutic riding classes and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning) sessions. This course may be repeated for credit.

SOWO 230: Supportive Counseling

This course is designed to help students develop helping, listening, and counseling skills. In particular, students will demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic relationship, including the skills of active listening, empathy and positive regard, and the issues of resistance, transference, and defense mechanisms. Students will identify the effect ofbody language and environment on the counseling process. Students will identify and practice the skills needed to provide individual and small group counseling in a social service setting.

SOWO 240: Deep Dive into Issues of Diversity

The course explores the nature and functioning of contemporary society and institutions through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. The course provides more in depth focus on specific targeted populations, including groups of people who experience high levels of discrimination and oppression in the United States and around the globe. In a spirit of both celebration and critical investigation, the course considers historical events and figures of particular significance to the population of focus, examines current socio-political and economic events and developments of particular salience for that population, and investigates best practice with regard to engagement and work with that population from a Social Work perspective. The course highlight issues of social justice and intersectionality as they pertain to the population under discussion, and will provide students with the opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation for, and understanding of, the rich diversity of human experience.

SOWO 260: Field Experience I

Social Work Advanced Track Requirement

This is a 50-hour field experience in a social welfare agency as approved by the Coordinator of Field Placements. The purpose of this field experience is to apply theory and models presented in the classroom to agency practice. This experience is open only for those admitted to the honors track.

SOWO 310: Human Behavior and the Social Environment

This course is an exploration of human behavior with the continuing potential for growth and change. The developmental process across the life span is studied with an emphasis on interaction with the social environment at the individual, family, small group, organization, and community levels. The bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual determinants of behavior are studied, integrating knowledge of individuals with their environments to build a foundation for the development of professional assessments and interventions.

SOWO 320: Social Welfare Policies and Services

This course is an examination of the social, historical, political, and economic context of social welfare policies and programs. Students gain experience in analysis of specific policy issues and their implications for professional social work practice.

SOWO 340: Research Methods and Statistics

This course is the study and use of qualitative and quantitative methods. It includes study of statistical and sociological analysis of social phenomena. The statistical study focuses on numbers, frequencies, means, variance, regressions, multivariate analyses and SPSS. The sociological study focuses on the process of conducting social research, the application of statistics, and computer technology. (This course may be taken for credit as SOCI 340.)

SOWO 350: Social Work Practice I

This course is the first course in knowledge, skill, and value development for generalist practice. Basic theories and concepts and the skills for professional social work practice with individuals are presented. The study focuses on professional values, social work roles, and social work client relationships. Skills in interviewing, data collection, problem solving, planning, case recording, and evaluation are explored and practiced. Social work practice is explored within the context of current programs and practice methods. Instructor permission is also required.

SOWO 352: Social Work Practice II

This course is the second course in knowledge, skill, and value development for generalist practice. Basic theories and concepts and the skills for professional social work practice with families and small groups are presented. The study focuses on professional values, social work roles, and social work client relationships. Skills in interviewing, data collection, problem solving, planning, case recording, and evaluation are explored and practiced. Social work practice is explored within the context of current programs and practice methods. A field placement is required for this course.

SOWO 360: Field Experience II

This is a 50-hour field experience in a social welfare agency as approved by the Coordinator of Field Placements. The purpose of this field experience is to apply theory and models presented in the classroom to agency practice. This experience is open only for those admitted to the honors track.

SOWO 377: Junior Seminar

The purpose of this course is to prepare junior social work majors to enter the senior field placement experience. Students will identify the process to apply for field placement and current opportunities available for the senior placement, develop resumes, set up interviews, and submit choices for placement. The course will also prepare students for the graduate school application process, field placement and job interviews, and appropriate dress and behavior in the workplace.

SOWO 455: Social Work Practice III

This course is the third course in knowledge, skill, and value development for generalist practice. Basic theories and concepts and the skills for professional social work practice with organizations, communities, and society are presented. The study focuses on professional values, social work roles, and social work client relationships. Skills in interviewing, data collection, problem solving, planning, case recording, and evaluation are explored and practiced. Social work practice is explored within the context of current programs and practice methods.

SOWO 470: Field Placement

This course is an educationally directed internship experience as a social work practitioner in a social welfare agency or program. Students are assigned to qualified field instructors in designated settings. The field experience involves the completion of 500 hours at a host agency during the fall semester of the senior year. The placement is designed to test and increase student practice skills and formalize the development of a professional identity, with the goal of self-direction and the appropriate use of supervision and consultation within the social work practice setting.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses