Offered by Department of
Criminal Justice and Social Work
College of Natural and Social Sciences
SOWK Courses
- SOWK 170 - 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 170.
- SOWK 242 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170
This course systematically examines social, biological, and psychological theories between individuals, families, groups,
communities, and organizations, and integrates intervention skills between systems.
- SOWK 330 - Fundamentals of Research in Social Welfare - 3 hours
- Prereq: STAT 235GS*
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 335GS - Social Policy & Programs - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
The course examines the historical evolution of Social policy, value assumptions, as well as the social, political, and economic
contexts and processes that impact it. Students learn the skills required for analysis of policies and advocacy for social and
economic justice.
- SOWK 342 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170, 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 with Individuals & Families - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK 242*, SOWK 335GS*
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 with Groups - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 371*
The course expands on the generic practice skills learned in SOWK 371 and focuses on work with small groups and families.
- SOWK 373 - Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities - 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 335GS* 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 388GS - General Studies Capstone - 3 hours
- Prereq: open to juniors and seniors or to students within 6 hours of completion of their General Studies program
An interdisciplinary experience where students apply the knowledge, cognitive abilities, and communication skills they have
gained from General Studies in designing and completing an original project or paper. Students employ methods and interpretive
means of two or more disciplines to integrate knowledge and synthesize their results. Satisfies the General Studies capstone
course requirement. Students may take their Capstone course in any discipline.
- SOWK 401 - Social Work in Legal Settings - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK 242*, SOWK 335GS*
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 335GS*
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 335GS*
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 430 - Violence Across the Lifespan - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
The course focuses on the causes, prevalence, treatment and prevention of violence that individuals may encounter throughout
the lifespan. It maintains a dual focus on victims and perpetrators of violence, the impact of violence on vulnerable groups,
and prevention and intervention strategies that may be used in practice, programming, policy, and research.
- SOWK 433 - Introduction to Mental Health Issues - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170
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 473 - Child Welfare Services - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 172, SOWK 242*, SOWK 335GS*
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 475 - Child Abuse and Neglect - 3 hours
- Prereq: SOWK 170
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 - Senior Social Work Seminar - 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 practice. Assignments build on the field placement experience to promote the
integration of knowledge, skills, and values. 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.
