2016-2017 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Department of Social Work Course Descriptions Social Work (SWK) SWK-1100 Total Immersion Experience –Sp 1 hour Available to all students. Preprofessional experience for students interested in social work. Participation with a social service agency, shadowing a social worker (who has a degree in social work or who is licensed as a social worker) for five full and consecutive days to better understand: (1) social work as a vocation; (2) the vulnerable populations social workers serve; (3) the professional helping relationship; and (4) the agency setting. Students must complete this course before applying for admission to the program. (Fee: $60) SWK-2330 Introduction to Social Work –Fa, Sp 3 hours Available to all students. This course gives an introduction to the social work profession and a variety of fields of social work practice. It includes a study of the historical development and professionalization of social work. There will be an overview of the integration of faith and practice and the program’s poverty focus. Crosslisted as SOC or SWK. (Fee: $55) SWK-2350 Field Survey –Fa, Sp 2 hours Experiential learning through visitation and observation of social workers and interdisciplinary teams in agency settings. Course provides detailed exposure to fields of social work practice, the role of social work, and agency structure. There is a special emphasis on understanding the dynamics of the professional helping relationship given the client’s membership in certain groups. Does not count toward social science elective for general education. (Fee: $40) SWK-2500 Social Work with Aging Populations –Fa 3 hours This course is designed to equip the student for beginning professional social work practice with the elderly population. Focus is on the issues related to aging, including wellness in senior living as well as disease. Students will gain knowledge of the varied social work careers that serve the aged as well as agencies that serve the elderly. SWK-2820 Social Work in Mental Health Settings –Sp 3 hours This survey course exposes the student to the complexities of social work practice in mental health environments in the context of a biblical worldview. The course teaches how mental health diagnoses are defined and identified. It examines the systems of care that currently exist for the mentally ill, their families, and the community and the roles social workers fill within these systems. SWK-2840 3 hours Concepts of Chemical Dependency –Fa, Sp, Su Available to all students. This course presents an overview of the social, economic, political, legal, spiritual, and ethical considerations concerning the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs in our culture. Various philosophies and perspectives on drugs and abuse as well as treatment and prevention options for individuals and families will be discussed. Crosslisted as CRJU, PYCH, SOC, or SWK. SWK-2900 Ethics in the Helping Professions –Sp 3 hours This course is designed to introduce the student to current issues and ethical dilemmas confronting professional helpers. The course encourages development of critical thinking skills by looking at dilemmas from a multifaceted point of view. Codes of ethics for the various helping professions are reviewed and emphasis is placed on understanding these codes. The course strives to provide the student a foundation in basic concepts of ethics and values, an understanding of the complexity of ethical decision making, and a sense of how their own values affect practice. The primary focus of this course is ethics, critical thinking, decision making, and self awareness. Crosslisted as SOC or SWK. SWK-3010 3 hours Human Behavior and the Social Environment –Fa This course will provide an examination of the social systems approach to understanding human behavior with families, groups, organizations, and communities. Particular focus will be on the relationship among biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior. Prerequisite: admission to the social work program. SWK-3020 3 hours Generalist Social Work Practice with Multicultural Groups –Fa, Sp This course teaches an understanding of the cultural values of diverse groups and their impact on the group process and the importance of being a culturally sensitive group leader. Emphasis is given to using a problem-solving and group decision-making process in practicing group work with multicultural, small groups, communities, and organizations. Prerequisite: admission to the program or permission of the instructor. (Fee: $45) SWK-3110 Social Welfare Programs and Policy –Fa 4 hours Survey of the American social welfare system. Analysis of the history, purpose, programs, and assessment of this system from a biblical theistic point of reference. Examines social welfare policies and programs in relation to their effects on specific populations in need in U.S. society. Within a historical and political context, current social welfare programs and policies are further examined in terms of underlying assumptions and values, substance, implementation, and effectiveness. Considers major questions of social choice and the underlying criteria for the funding and delivery of social services. Policy analysis will be a major focus. Innovative programs and models that the churches could consider will be discussed and developed. Prerequisite: admission to the social work program. (Fee: $35) SWK-3210 4 hours Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families –Sp This 4-hour course is taken concurrently with 16 hours per week field experience designed to teach social intervention theory with practice. Emphasis will be given to the basic principles and values of practice in acquiring values, skills, theory, and principles of social work practice as well as the skill developments essential to beginning social work relationships. Intervention strategies for work with families and target groups are presented with an orientation toward problem-solving. The goal of this course is to assist the student in integrating theory with practice and in gaining awareness of the professional use of self. Professional writing skills are further developed. Prerequisites: admission to the social work program. SWK-3430 Junior Seminar I –Fa 1 hour and SWK-3440 Jr Field Experience I –Fa 3 hours Junior Field Experience I is the placement of students in a poverty focused social service agency. The first four weeks will be one hour orientation sessions designed to inform and equip the student to complete all assignments required before entering their junior experience. Each student will be in field for a minimum of 75 hours, practicing eight hours weekly with clients and agency staff under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. Seminar class will meet once a week for one hour, where the student will receive input from peers and faculty. Prerequisite: admission to the social work program. Corequisite: It is recommended that SWK-3430 and SWK-3440 be taken concurrently. (Fee: $150) 2016–17 Undergraduate Academic Catalog Page 281 Course Descriptions SWK-1100 – SWK-3440 SOCIAL WORK