Course Descriptions

Social Work

SWK 250 Interpersonal Skills 3 cr. Verbal and nonverbal interpersonal skills relating to common interaction as well as those interactions generic to planned changed processes of generalist social work practice. This course requires 50 hours of concurrent interpersonal skills building. Experience in the community in which social workers will be employed.

SWK 255 Social Work Profession 3 cr. History of the social work profession, goals, philosophy, base assumptions, and outcomes within the generalist framework of social work fields of practice. Co- or Prerequisite(s): SWK 256.

SWK 256 Development of Social Welfare 3 cr. (GE7) History, value, political, and economic goals, philosophy base assumption, and conditions which influence the development and provision of social welfare services.

SWK 330 Behavior in Pluralistic Society 3 cr. The underlying theoretical perspectives of sociological, psychological, biological, and spiritual systems relative to human growth and development from birth to death with emphasis on ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity characteristic of American pluralism. Prerequisite(s): SWK 200, SOC 101, PSY 111, and BIOL 111.

SWK 331 Systems Theory and Family Dynamics 3 cr. The underlying theoretical perspectives of the systems model, with application to individuals, families, groups, and communities within the larger context. Assessment and problem solving techniques with families of all types in the context of generalist practices. Corequisite: SWK 330. Prerequisite(s): SWK 250, SOC 101, PSY 111 and BIOL 115. Repeatable for credit.

SWK 335 Social Work Methods I 3 cr. Problem solving, assessment, and application of interventive techniques with individuals in the context of generalist practice. Prerequisite(s): SWK 331 and admission to the social work program.

SWK 340 Social Welfare Policy I 3 cr. A framework for the analysis of social welfare policy, policy formation, decisionmaking, the impact on human service professionals, and the delivery of social welfare services.

SWK 341 Social Welfare Policy II 3 cr. Analytical, political, value-clarifying, communication and organization skills for policy practice, policy advocacy and interventions in the context of generalist practice.

SWK 350 Rural Social Work Practice 3 cr. Study and evaluation of rural, regional social services and delivery systems, characteristics of rural populations and community analysis, function and roles of social worker in a nonmetropolitan environment. Prerequisite: SWK 250, 255 and 256.

SWK 379 Aging Practice and Policies 3 cr. Study of social welfare policies which sanction and direct services and welfare for the elderly.

SWK 401 Contemporary Issues with Native American Families 3 cr. This course will survey contemporary issues that Native American families face in today’s society and how these influences effect the context of family life and the helping process.

SWK 426 Social Work Methods II 3 cr. Problem solving, assessment, and application of interventive techniques with small groups in the context of generalist practice. Prerequisite(s): SWK 335, 340 and admission to Social Work program.

SWK 427 Social Work Methods III 3 cr. Problem solving, assessment, and application of interventive techniques with communities, disciplinary boards, and organizations in the context of generalist practice. Prerequisite(s): SWK 335, 340, and admission to Social Work program.

SWK 428 Crisis Intervention 3 cr. This course introduces students to the theory and practice of crisis intervention with emphasis on the use of short-term intervention and problemsolving techniques. This course emphasizes crisis theory and crisis intervention models applied to various crisis problems and populations at risk.

SWK 432 Field Education 10 cr. Structured and educationally directed learning experiences in public and private human service agencies. Grading Basis: S/U. Prerequisite(s): SWK 426, 427 and admission to Social Work program. Corequisites: SWK 433, 434, 491.

SWK 433 Field Seminar 1 cr. Integration of social work theory with the reality of specific practice. Grading Basis: S/U. Corequisites: SWK 432, 434, 491.

SWK 434 Field Research 1 cr. Senior research project, formal written report, and oral presentation of the major research paper. Corequisites: SWK 432, 433, 491.

SWK 442 Research Methods in Social Work 3 cr. This course introduces students to the concepts and principles of social work research methodology. This course includes conceptualizing a social work problem, designing research strategy, making use of relevant literature, and organizing and evaluating relevant data.

SWK 491 Senior Seminar 2 cr. Integration of program outcomes with application of knowledge, values, and skills necessary for field entry, human service program evaluation, value and ethical considerations, and the development and implementation of future career objectives. Corequisites: SWK 432, 433, and 434.