Course Sequence

This course, the first of two required courses in human behavior in the social environment, is designed to prepare the student to understand human development across the life cycle, focusing on the interactions between and among systems (cultural, biological, social, psychological, and life-style) that make an impact on human development. This course will provide knowledge and an understanding of human development from conception across the lifespan. To illuminate this topic, an exploration of theories of change, and individual and family behavior as understood from a biopsychosocial and spiritual perspective is introduced. Theoretical explanations of development derive from the interactions of biological, psychological, and social sources, with special emphasis placed on systems theory.

A description of the major components of the social welfare system in the United States. This course includes the historical development and philosophy behind our present social welfare system and uses current social welfare programs as examples. This is a course designed to focus on the policy making process within the social welfare system. The primary emphasis of this course is on macro systems, not micro systems. The course will describe what social policy is and explore the various ideas, philosophies, beliefs, and attitudes that have led to the development of various social welfare programs in the United States. Recognizing the fundamental duty of the social work profession to promote social equity and justice, this course looks at the values that underlie various policy approaches and identifies policy shifts rooted in recurring tensions or controversies. Consequences of different policy approaches are examined in light of their impact on racial and ethnic minorities, gay men and lesbians, women, the poor, and persons with mental and/or physical challenges. The student will also look at international policy as a comparison.

This is the first required practice course in the graduate social work curriculum. Employing a generalist practice perspective, this course introduces students to social work values, knowledge, and skills essential for beginning social work practice with diverse populations. This course will introduce the student to generalist practice in social work, emphasizing the differences among micro, macro, and mezzo approaches. Building upon the liberal arts foundation courses, it is the first course in the social work practice sequence. Students will become familiar with the foundation of professional social work knowledge, values, and skills and will explore closely the ethical dilemmas inherent in social work practice. The NASW Code of Ethics will be used to study professional values. This course will examine systems theory, the ecological perspective, and the problem solving method in micro level practice. Students will begin to develop skills through the use of case presentation, role-play situations, video taping and feedback, and class discussions. Micro practice skills will be emphasized with particular attention given to the development of skills in working with ethnically, racially, and gender sensitive cases. This course will present practice content on people of color, women, children, the aged, disabled, and gay and lesbian persons. It will emphasize the impact of discrimination, economic deprivation, and oppression of these groups.

This course provides a detailed examination of the techniques and methods of social research as they relate to evaluation of social services and social work practice. The course is designed to introduce students to the scientific method of inquiry within the context of advanced generalist practice and research problems. Special attention will be given to applied research methodologies that will enhance the student's use of evidence-based social work knowledge and skills. The following topics are explored: hypothesis construction; formulating a research design; measurement; data collection methods; elementary and social statistical data analysis; and, the ethics, politics, and uses of social research. Students are introduced to the various ways in which these underpinnings are designed to aid in the development of the appropriate language, knowledge, and skills for the application of research methods associated with advanced generalist social work practice.

From a person-in-environment perspective, this course focuses on individual development over the life span; on the theories and knowledge about the range of social systems in which individuals live; how human behavior affects and is affected by these systems; how these systems promote or deter human health and well-being; and an introduction to critical thinking and an opportunity to apply its principles. In addition, this course covers issues of diversity, including practice issues with clients from differing social, cultural, racial, and class backgrounds; issues of social and economic justice and oppression; practice issues as they relate to clients belonging to populations at risk; and issues involved with systems of all sizes, including macro systems.

This course builds on SWK 530 in preparing students for a generalist approach to social work practice. This methods course is designed to provide students with an understanding of social work practice with groups using the classroom as a laboratory for developing group leadership skills. SWK 560 expands basic knowledge, values, ethics, and skills, with an emphasis on mezzo level problem solving. This course includes theories and techniques for planning, assessment, direct intervention, and advocacy with small groups and families. The strengths and problem solving methods of practice with small groups and families are emphasized. SWK 560 illustrates the relationship between micro and mezzo skills and continues an emphasis on ethical decision making and issues of diversity in social work practice. The goal of the course is to provide students with experiential learning opportunities for skill development in leading and becoming effective members in a variety of groups.

The purpose of Field Practicum I is to give students the opportunity to apply theory to social work practice. The student will engage in implementing generalist social work practice skills. Students are expected to participate at their field agency placement two days a week (16 hours a week). A seminar will be offered in conjunction with the field practicum. It will facilitate the process of integrating social work knowledge, skills, values, and a liberal arts base into a set of practice competencies necessary for the performance of beginning social work practice. The seminar will meet two hours per week for sixteen weeks.

This course introduces macro practice concepts to the clinical social work student. The focus is on the exploration of leadership, administrative, planning, and community roles in social work practice. SWK 570 emphasizes the use of generalist skills in macro practice. The application of practice skills in problem identification and definition, assessment, data collection, planning, implementation, and evaluation are applied to macro intervention throughout the coursework. The course illustrates the relationship between, and the integration of, micro, mezzo, and macro skills, and continues the emphasis on ethical decision making and issues of diversity in social work practice. Various social work roles including that of advocate, activist, broker, and case manager will be explored.

The purpose of Field Practicum II is to give students the opportunity to apply theory to social work practice. The student will engage in implementing generalist social work practice skills. Student are expected to participate at their field agency placement two days a week (16 hours a week). A seminar will be offered in conjunction with the field practicum. It will facilitate the process of integrating social work knowledge, skills, values, and a liberal arts base into a set of practice competencies necessary for the performance of beginning social work practice. The seminar will meet one hour per week for sixteen weeks.

The purpose of this course is to help students become more effective leaders and to better understand the demands of leadership. The student will learn leadership knowledge and skills required to succeed in the workplace. The course defines leadership as a process of influencing an organized group to accomplishing its goals. Major research findings will be presented that can give leaders insight about how to become more effective in analyzing and responding to situations. The course builds on macro content taught in social work courses and theories of individual and group behavior presented in foundation courses on human behavior in the social environment.