2018-2019 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

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 3 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. 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) SWK-3450 Junior Seminar II –Sp 1 hour and SWK-3460 Jr Field Experience II –Sp 3 hours Junior Field Experience II is the placement of students in a poverty-focused social service agency. 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. The last four weeks will be one-hour orientation sessions designed to inform and equip the student to complete all assignments required before entering their senior field seminar. Prerequisite: admission to the social work program. Corequisite: It is recommended that SWK-3450 and SWK-3460 be taken concurrently. (Fee: $150) SWK-4210 3 hours Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations –Fa This course is the second part of a three-course sequence in acquiring values, skills, and knowledge of generalist social work practice. Intervention strategies for practice with a wide variety of populations will be presented, including people of different religions; women; lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgendered people; children and youth; the elderly; disabled; Appalachian; African Americans; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; American Indians; Mexican Americans; Hispanics and Puerto Ricans; and refugees and immigrants. Prerequisite: admission to the social work program. (Fee: $15) SWK-4220 4 hours Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations –Sp Designed to complete the undergraduate program and thus equip the student for beginning professional social work practice. Focus is on competency in social work practice in multiple macro settings as a generalist in problem solving and social change. Prerequisites: admission to the social work program (Fee: $80) SWK-4440 Special Topics-Social Work 1–3 hours Investigation of specific topics in Social Work that have intrinsic worth and engage student interest. SWK-4510 Senior Seminar I –Fa 2 hours and SWK-4560 Senior Field Experience I –Fa 6 hours This course offers students the opportunity to practice social work 16 hours weekly with professional supervision. A seminar is held two hours weekly in which students submit their own practice record for critical study and offer feedback to their peers. Emphasis is placed on the integration of students’ social work theoretical knowledge and skills as they enter the profession. Students must complete a minimum of 225 hours in field. Prerequisite: admission to the social work program. Corequisite: It is recommended that SWK-4510 and SWK-4560 be taken concurrently. (Fee: $250) 2017–18 Undergraduate Academic Catalog Page 301 Course Descriptions SWK-2900 – SWK-4560 SOCIAL WORK