Overview of biological aspects of human nature. Survey of basic human physiology; reproduction, and development. Introduction to genetics and the record of human evolution provides starting point for discussion of adaptive significance of human intelligence and social organization.

POLI 382: Social Welfare Policy (Spring only)

Examination of the politics, and operation of the social welfare system in the United States. Emphasis on policy analysis of current social welfare issues such as the Social Security crisis, welfare reform, the relationship between welfare and national economic policy, the functions of public welfare versus private charity, and the connections between direct service and social reform.
Prerequisite: POLI 120 or 121 or permission of the department.

Basic concepts, methods, and points of view in psychology. Specific topics span the range from biological to personal to social determinants of behavior.

The methods, insights and perspectives of sociology; how sociologists do their work; how individuals are influenced by society and its culture; how people learn to become members of society (the socialization process)and how people interact with others in it. Review of major topics of sociological interest and concern.

SOC 200: Statistics for Sociologists

An introduction to the place of statistics in the research process; develops understanding of statistics as a valuable tool in analyzing data. Deals with probability, sampling, tables, graphs, averages, measure of variation, measures of association, tests of significance, and multivariate statistics. Special emphasis given to analysis of survey data using micro-computers.
Prerequisite: SOC 116.

Introduction to theoretical and practical foundations of social work. Examination of values, knowledge, and skills underlying a generalist approach to social work. Analysis of role of social workers in such settings as hospitals, schools, mental health agencies, and family and child welfare agencies.
Prerequisites: SOC 116

Explores how communities and the social work profession respond to social problems. Traditional classroom-based learning is combined with service learning activities to increase student knowledge of the social service delivery system.
Prerequisites: SOC 218

SOC 300: Research Methods

A course concerned with knowing; emphasis is placed on the evaluation of information and the research process: conceptualization, design, measurement, and data collections methods of survey, experiment and observation are discussed.
Prerequisites: SOC 116; SOC 200 [or equivalent.]

SOCW 249: Social Welfare Institutions (Fall only)

Introduces students to the basic public and private sector mechanisms of social welfare policy and services through the lens of history. The importance of values/attitudes/beliefs in the political process and the concept of social justice are analyzed. The development of the social work profession is featured.
Prerequisites: SOC 116, SOC 218, or permission of instructor.

SOCW 325: Social Work Practice Methods I(Fall only)

The first of three sequenced social work practice courses in which students learn generalist social work practice theory and method. In-depth presentation and study of layers of knowledge needed to implement generalist social work problem solving within and between micro, mezzo and macro systems.
Prerequisite: Advanced Status.

Introduces theory and knowledge used in the person-in-environment perspective to prepare a foundation on which to build generalist practice skills. A focus on systems theory approach will lead to an understanding of how the biological, psychological, and social systems are interrelated and affect human development throughout the lifespan.
Prerequisites: Advanced Status, BIOL 110

Builds on the knowledge and theory learned in Human Behavior in the Social Environment I. A combination of social system and lifespan theoretical frameworks will continue to be utilized to provide a foundation for understanding human behavior from middle adulthood through late adulthood.
Prerequisite: SOCW 340

This second course in the social work practice sequence builds on SOCW 325. Focus is on the skills needed to implement the generalist problem solving method within and between micro, mezzo and macro systems.
Prerequisite: SOCW 325

The third practice methods course challenges students to increase their generalist problem-solving, communication, assessment, and intervention skills with multiple systems. The Monitoring and Evaluating stage of generalist problem-solving is highlighted.
Prerequisites: POLI 328, SOC 300, SOCW 249, SOCW 341, SOCW 370
Corequisites: SOCW 480, SOCW 485

SOCW 399: Selected Topics (Occasionally offered)

Variable content course; topic will be announced in the Course Offering Bulletin each semester offered.

The final course in the practice sequence is an integrations course asking students to analyze all aspects of social work practice. This is a student-led class which covers all CSWE content areas through discussion, role play, simulation and major analytical writing assignments. Professional critical thinking is a primary focus.
Prerequisite: Field Practicum Students only

SOCW 470: Directed Study

Individualized study with a social work faculty member.
Prerequisite: Permissino of the instructor
1-3 hours credit

SOCW 480: Field Practicum I (Fall only)

The first semester of a professionally supervised 500 total hour placement in a human services agency. Students are expected to complete 250 hours of direct service to individuals, families, groups or communities and/or other duties expected of a beginning-level social worker during the semester. Students are expected to apply social work theory, knowledge and method to actual cases, identify areas of professional growth, process their experiences, and begin assessing their practice using standard research methods.
Prerequisites: approval of Field Coordinator, SOCW 325, SOCW 340, SOCW 341, SOCW 370, SOC 300, POLI 382, Social Work Majors Only
Corequisites: SOCW 390; SOCW 485; SOCW 400

SOCW 485: Field Practicum I with Seminar (Fall only)

An extension of SOCW 480: Field Practicum I allowing for the sectioning of practicum students into small peer groups for weekly group meetings. Students are divided into sections and assigned faculty field liaisons who assist students develop and implement an individualized professional learning contract for their practicum placements. Weekly meetings are held to analyze issues discovered through the practicum experience. Faculty liaisons monitor and evaluate student performance for the entire practicum experience (SOCW 480 and 485).
Corequisites: SOCW 390, SOCW 480, SOCW 400

The continuation of the student's experiential learning at the same agency in which the student was placed during SOCW 480. Students need to complete 250 or more hours of direct service practice and/or other duties expected of the beginning level social worker.
Prerequisites: SOCW 390, SOCW 480, SOCW 485, Social Work Majors Only;
Corequisites:SOCW 495

An extension of SOCW 490: Field Practicum II allowing for the sectioning of practicum students into small peer groups for weekly group meetings. Expectations for student performance increase and new learning contracts are constructed and implemented. Weekly meetings focus on the critical assessment of the student's use of skill, knowledge, and theory in their practicum placement. Faculty field liaisons facilitate group meetings and monitor the practicum experience, evaluating student performance for both SOCW 490 and 495.
Corequisites: SOCW 400; SOCW 490

Approved Electives - Individualized plan. Students secure the approval of their academic advisor.