SOWK Courses
Offered by Department of
Criminal Justice and Social Work
College of Natural and Social Sciences
- SOWK 170GS - Introduction to Social Welfare - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
Concepts and principles in the development of social welfare. This course includes a brief
overview of the similarities, differences, and relationships between social welfare and
social work. (Fall and Spring)
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- SOWK 172 - Human Service Ethics and Experience - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the social work profession,
professional roles and functions, and social services delivery system. The student in
required to volunteer a minimum of 60 hours at a social services agency. As volunteers,
students will have an opportunity to observe and participate in social services activities
in the community. Students will have an opportunity to explore their vocational interests
for social work practice via interactive encounters with clients and helping
professionals. Students should have completed or be enrolled in SOWK 170GS. (Fall and
Spring)
-
- SOWK 242 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment
I - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170GS
This course systematically examines social, biological, and psychological theories between
individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations, and integrates intervention
skills between systems. (Fall and Spring)
-
- SOWK 276 - Social Welfare Policies & Services - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170GS
Social policy development, the historical aspects, value assumptions,
social-political-economic contexts, processes, and skills required for analysis are
studied. (Fall and Spring)
-
- SOWK 330 -
Fundamentals of Research in Social Welfare - 3 hours
- Prereq: STAT 235
This course will introduce students to the concepts and
principles of social work research methodology, educate them about the ethics
and politics involved, and promote their understanding of research issues
relevant to diversity, multiculturalism, as well as social and economic
injustices.
-
- SOWK 342 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170GS,
SOWK 172
This course expands on knowledge gained in SOWK 242 and
focuses on influence of human behavior on systems such as family, groups,
organizations, and communities. Family theories from a social work perspective
are explored, taking into consideration race, ethnicity, sexism, sexual
orientation, as well as social and economic justice issues. SOWK 242 may be
taken prior to this course or at the same time.
-
- SOWK 371 - Social Work Practice I - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK
242*,
SOWK 276*
This course focuses on relationships, values, and skills in social work practice and
teaches general methodology from a problem-solving perspective. (Fall and Spring)
-
- SOWK 372 - Social Work Practice II - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 371*
The course expands on the generic practice skills learned in SOWK 371 and focuses on the
small group and the family. (Fall and Spring)
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- SOWK 373 - Social Work Practice III - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 372*
This course focuses on social work practice in the macro area. Includes administration,
community organization, social planning, and program development. (Fall and Spring)
-
- SOWK 377 - Aging Services - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 276* or
permission of instructor
The common problems of the aged and their families are studied, knowledge of existing
services is provided, and students are exposed to the initial theory and practice of
delivering services to the aged in both the outpatient and inpatient setting. (Fall only)
-
- SOWK 401 - Social Work in Legal Settings - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK
242*,
SOWK 276*
An overview of social work practice, theory, and skills for working within and with legal
host agencies. and a brief examination of legal consequences of social work practice.
(Spring only)
-
- SOWK 402 - School Social Work - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK
242*,
SOWK 276*
An overview of services provided by school social workers and the interrelationships with
other student services. Course will be offered every other summer.
-
- SOWK 403 - Medical Social Work - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 242*,
SOWK 276*
An overview of social work services provided in medical and other health care settings.
The relationships to other professionals are explored in all health care settings.
Students are introduced to the specific recommendations for practice in medical and other
health care social services. Course will be offered every other summer.
-
- SOWK 470 - International Social Work
Experience - 1-6 hours
- Prereq: permission of program director
Undertaken in the summer. Destinations and length vary year to year. Consult current class
schedule or contact the Program Director. Offered occasionally.
-
- SOWK 472 -
Substance Abuse and Addictions -
3 hours
- Prereq: none
This course provides students with the theories,
interventions strategies, and social and legal implications of substances
abuse and other addictions. The biological, psychological, social, and
familial contexts that contribute to addictive disorders will be presented.
Course orientation and discussion will be framed within a multicultural
perspective.
-
- SOWK 473 - Child Welfare Services - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK
242*,
SOWK 276*
The common problems of children and families needing services are studied. Knowledge of
existing services is imparted, and students are exposed to the initial "how" of
doing child welfare work. (Spring only)
-
- SOWK 474 - Rural Social Work - 3 hours
- Prereq: Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK 185*,
SOWK 276*
The course focuses on the development of generic, rural social work practice skills. These
skills are emphasized to effectively deal with the problems of poverty, ill-health,
housing, isolation, mental health, and aging. Course will be given once each year.
-
- SOWK 480 - Field Placement I - 4 hours
- Prereq: All required social work courses must be completed with the exception of SOWK 373*, Practice III,
which can be taken prior to or concurrent with SOWK 480-481*, permission of the Field Coordinator
-
- SOWK 481 - Field Placement II - 4 hours
- Prereq: All required social work courses must be completed with the exception of SOWK 373*, Practice III,
which can be taken prior to or concurrent with SOWK 480-481*, permission of the Field Coordinator
The complete practicum experience, SOWK 480 and SOWK 481, consists of 400 actual contact
hours of supervised field experience in an approved social services agency, along with
scheduled group seminar meetings with the Field Coordinator. The first 200 hours (SOWK
480) involves orientation to the agency, observing and learning the structure of the
agency, and the integration of classroom content with practicum experiences. The second
200 hours (SOWK 481) involves actual hands on participation and students are expected to
demonstrate a higher level of skills and an increased responsibility for their learning
and performance. SOWK 480 and SOWK 481 are arranged through the Field Coordinator. (Fall
and Spring)
-
- SOWK 482 - Seminar in Social Work - 1 hour
- Prereq: SOWK 372*;
Co-req: SOWK 480*, SOWK 481*, permission of the
Field Coordinator
This course is designed as an integrating seminar to be taken concurrently with Field
Placement. It facilitates the transition from student to professional social worker
through the use of specific assignments focused on resume development, awareness of
continuing educational needs, issues of certification, and exposure to social work
professionals. Students should have completed all required social work courses, and be
enrolled in SOWK 480/481. (Fall and Spring)
-
- SOWK 499 - Special Studies in Social Work - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: 6 hours of Social Work, permission of Director
An in-depth study of contemporary social work practice issues. The project is supervised
by the director. This course may be repeated to a maximum of six hours.
* This course is the immediate prerequisite. Other preparation is
required prior to this immediate prerequisite.
