Offered by Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work
College of Natural and Social Sciences

SOWK Courses

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.
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 50 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.
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.
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.
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 II - 3 hours
Prereq: SOWK 170GS, SOWK 172
This course focuses on the influence of human behavior on the 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SOWK 433 - Introduction to Mental Health Issues - 3 hours
Prereq: SOWK 170GS
This course enables students to develop a broader understanding of the occurrence and impact of mental illness in society and from a social work perspective. Mental health issues across race, class, gender, and culture will be examined with the goal of promoting practice skills and sensitivity to future clients.
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.
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.
SOWK 474 - Rural Social Work - 3 hours
Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK 242*, 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.
SOWK 475 - Child Abuse and Neglect - 3 hours
Prereq: SOWK 170GS
The course prepares students for child welfare practice and provides an overview of child maltreatment. A historical perspective of child abuse is used to examine issues related to reporting, legal response, treatment, and prevention, and intervention.
SOWK 480 - Field Placement I - 3 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*- SOWK 481*; permission of the field coordinator
SOWK 481 - Field Placement II - 3 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*- SOWK 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.
SOWK 482 - Seminar in Social Work - 3 hours
Prereq: SOWK 372*, permission of the Field Coordinator
Coreq: SOWK 480*, SOWK 481*
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.
SOWK 499 - Special Studies in Social Work - 1-3 hours
Prereq: 6 hours of SOWK, 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.

10 Oct 2007

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