Description of Courses

SW 201 Introduction to Social Welfare 3 hours - An introductory study of the historical development of social welfare problems in the United States and the programs, practices, and policies designed to address them. The course also introduces students to global perspectives of welfare for marginalized populations including the black Diaspora and global development and role of human rights and social and economic justice. The course will include the development of social work and the profession’s role as a change agent for social welfare policies in America and globally. Open to all non-majors.

SW 202 Introduction to Social Work 3 hours - An introduction to the historical development of the social work profession including its purpose, global context, professional social work values and ethics. The course will also explore the breadth of social work practice and introduce students to the types of practice skills utilized by social workers. Students are introduced to the: department goals and competency expectations of the program, and general expectation of social work majors. This class is used as the key orientation course that introduces students to the department’s mission, curriculum, and department disposition and scholarly expectations from students. Students are also required to successfully complete the department admission requirements as outlined in the Admissions Handbook to become an official social work major. Students are required to develop a group service learning project with an underserved/marginalized group. The project should be designed to enhance human relationships and improve the quality of life for its recipients. Students must commit a minimum of 15 hours - to this service learning project. Prerequisite: SW 201.

SW 307 International Social Work 3 hours - This course focuses on most of the key economic, political, and social issues that shape human welfare, social development, and the role that social work plays in addressing these issues in an international context. Open to nonmajors. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PY 101 or SO 101.

SW 312 Minority Aging 3 hours - An introduction to aging, focusing on minorities, and the cultural, economic, social class and sexual forces they face. The needs of the elderly and the availability of related services are addressed. Open to nonmajors. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PY 101 or SO 101.

SW 330 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (W) 3 hours - The first component of a two-part series study of human development across the lifespan. The course examines the variety of social systems that people encounter and how these encounters may enhance or impede their health and well-being. The course explores a wide breadth of developmental theories including but not limited to bio-psycho-social-culturalspiritual, racial, and identify formation as the context for individual, family, and group development from infancy to adolescence. Prerequisites: BI 101, PY 101, and SO 101.

SW 331 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (W) 3 hours - The second component of a two-part series study of human development across the lifespan. The course examines the variety of social systems that people encounter and that may enhance or impede their health and well-being. The course continues the exploration of developmental theories including but not limited to bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual, racial, and identify formation development theory as the context for individual, family, and group development from young adulthood to old age. Prerequisites: SW 330 or consent of instructor.

SW 332 Child Welfare 3 hours - A historical and contemporary analysis and study of social services for children. Special attention is given to the development and infrastructure utilized to support the needs of children and family. Open to non-majors. Prerequisites: junior standing, PY 101 or SO 101.

SW 334 Understanding Diversity and Oppression 3 hours - An analysis of the nature of oppression from a historical and social structural perspective. The social and interpersonal contexts of oppression, identity formation issues, difference, racism and discrimination, and powerlessness among diverse groups will be explored. Implications for social work practice on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels will be examined and analyzed for effective intervention and contemporary analysis. Open to non-majors. Prerequisites: SW 330 and SW 331.

SW 340 Modern Social Work Theories and Practice 3 hours - This foundational course provides students with opportunities to learn, examine, and assess social work theories that are implemented in practice. These theories are used as lenses when analyzing client interactions and help student understand how social work theory and practice can inform one another in an integrated fashion. Prerequisites: SW 202 and SW 330.

SW 350 Pre-field Orientation 1 hour - This course is designed to orient and prepare students for the senior field practicum experience. Students will learn about agency expectations and procedures, and complete the administrative documentation, agency and field preparation inverviews, and course work necessary to enter their field agency. Prerequisite: senior standing.

SW 380 Welfare Policies 3 hours - An introduction to the study of social welfare policy including its purpose and how policy is formulated and implemented, and its impact at the local, state, federal, and global levels. The course will examine the link between welfare policy and social work practice with individuals, groups, families, and communities. The course will review relationships between social policies, human rights, and issues of social and economic justice. The course will also provide students with an opportunity for mock policy development and critical analysis. Finally, this course will promote the development of the leadership skills needed to be proactive in the design and implementation of policies within various systems. Prerequisites: SW 201 and PS 120 or PS 211, HI 212.

SW 382 Human Sexuality 3 hours - This elective course will study and analyze selected areas of human sexuality from a Christian perspective. This course will equip students with a broader understanding of the personal, social, emotional, and physical nature of this complex and sensitive area. The course will also provide insight concerning the spiritual and psychological components of sexuality. The latitude in human sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions will also be discussed. Course curriculum is designed to enhance the courtship, marriage, and family experience. Course includes societal sexuality issues that pertain to the Black diaspora. Students must have permission of the instructor for this course. Open to nonmajors. Prerequisites: BI 101and PY 101 or SO 101.

SW 400 Generalist Skills and Practice 3 hours - This course introduces students to the principles, activities, and skills used by social workers in direct practice. The course includes interviewing and relationship building skills and diverse clientele, and introduces students to the relationships between values, practice, and practice skills. Students are required to complete role playing assignments that demonstrate their mastery of the assigned topic area, demonstrate the ability to think critically, utilize ethical principles in their decision making, possess sound judgment, and communicate planned intervention in an effective professional manner. Students are also required to demonstrate leadership initiative by participation in classroom discussions and completion of interactive assignments. This is a preparation course for senior-level practice experience. Prerequisites: SW 202, SW 331, and SW 340.

SW 420 Research in Social Work 3 hours - This course is designed to enable students to learn and develop critical thinking skills required in scientific inquiry. Students are expected to utilize principles of logic, scientific inquiry, social work ethics, and judgment to: distinguish and appraise problems; utilize scholarly literature to understand and direct their study; devise and employ an appropriate research strategy; organize, evaluate, and integrate relevant research data; and develop relevant resolutions to presented problems for the client systems being studied. The course curriculum includes an overview of the basic social research methodologies utilized within the social sciences. Students are required to complete research projects with systems of varying sizes. Students will also be better able to recognize the impact that diversity (i.e. race, culture, gender, etc.) has on the research process as well as identify the rationale for advancing human rights and social economic justice within their practice, based on their own research observation. Prerequisites: PY 307 and PY 411.

SW 451 General Methods of Micro Social Work 3 hours - This course is the first in a series of practice courses. It is designed to introduce students to the General Intervention Method (GIM) of social work practice small client systems. The course will focus on the theories, principles, and skills necessary to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate clients for micro social work practice. Students are also required to demonstrate leadership initiative by participation in classroom discussions, completion of interactive assignments, role-play, and simulation activities. Student are also required to interview and observe professional social workers engage in the problem solving process. Students officially begin the portfolio collection process in this course in preparation for the senior year portfolio. Prerequisites: SW 331, SW 340, and SW 380, or consent of instructor.

SW 452 General Methods of Mezzo Social Work 3 hours - This course is the second in a series of practice courses and builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in SW 451. The course equips students with knowledge, values, and practice skills necessary for effective intervention with families and groups from diverse backgrounds. Students will learn how to apply family and group behavior theories, the GIM, and social work values and ethics in order to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate families and groups. The course values the direct practice experience for knowledge and skill development of generalist social workers. Students are provided with several opportunities to develop their practice skills in group leadership dynamics, by facilitating: community-based projects outside of the classroom that addresses a specific group issue; in-class group development and leadership scenarios and family intervention knowledge; and practice skills through the use of field-based assignments, role plays, case studies, and other classroom exercises. Prerequisite: SW 451

SW 453 General Methods of Macro Social Work 3 hours - This course is the third and final segment of a three-part series of practice courses. The course utilizes the GIM, theories, principles, skills, and techniques necessary to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate effectiveness in working with organizations and communities. Students are required to engage in a variety of macro level projects that are designed to demonstrate their understanding of macro practice; exhibit leadership and competence in initiating positive change at the macro level of practice using evidence based interventions; and demonstrate how their intervention can promote social and economic justice within diverse population groups. The course includes community needs assessment and community development proposal, creating a community development project. Students will also engage in resource development skill activities. Prerequisite: SW 452.

SW 454 Field Instruction and Seminar I 7 hours - The first of the two part field education course series. This is the department’s signature pedagogy course that is designed to help students integrate into the professional role of being a social work practitioner. The course allows students to connect social work theory, knowledge, values, and skills acquired throughout the social work curriculum with actual practice within an agency setting. Along with assigned coursework, students receive supervised field practice within an approved agency selected by the department. Students are expected to demonstrate growth in their progress towards the achievement of the course competencies, which are based on the program goals. Students are required to complete 225 field practicum hours -, along with 15 service-learning hours -. Prerequisites: SW 350, SW 400 and SW 451 (SW 420 and SW 454 must be taken concurrently).

SW 455 Field Instruction and Seminar II 6 hours - A continuation of SW 454, the department’s signature pedagogy course designed to aid students’ integration into the role of professional generalist practitioner. The course allows students to connect social work theory, knowledge, values, and skills learned within the classroom environment with actual practice within an agency setting. Students will continue to receive assigned coursework designed to aid their understanding of the connection between social work theories, knowledge, values and skills learned in the classroom and actual social work practice. Students will continue to receive supervised field practice within their approved agency. Students are expected to demonstrate achievement of the course competencies, which are based on the departmental goals. Students are required to complete 225 field practicum hours - along with 15 service-learning hours -. Prerequisite: SW 454.

SW 480 Career Preparation 2 hours - This course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to prepare them for a professional career in social work. Students are required to investigate and complete assignments designed to aid them in their transition to professional generalist practice and encourage graduate school entrance. The course incorporates strategies that will prepare students for professional networking, job search skills, interviewing skills, social work licensure, employment skills, and preparation for graduate school. Students are required to develop a professional track career plan and timeline and a plan for pursuing life-long learning. Students must also demonstrate how self-evaluation has improved their behavior, appearance, and communication skills. The course includes a review of social work career options available in faith-based institutions and Afro-centric agencies. Students are required to complete the second segment of the professional portfolio requirement for the Department’s exit examination process. Prerequisite: senior standing.

SW 490 Research and Independent Study 1-3 hours - A major research project or independent activity and course work that will contribute to the knowledge base of the field of social work. This course is offered under the direction of an advisor. Prerequisite: Permission of the departmental chair.