Examines social work as a comprehensive helping profession with particular attention placed on the emergence of social work; the value, knowledge, and skill bases of the profession; practice settings; and the role and tasks of the helping professional. Issues in current practice are identified (e.g., ethnocentrism and racism). Offered fall.

Studies how social systems impact and are impacted by a broad context of human behavior in culture and society, communities and organizations, groups, families, and individuals. These systems are viewed as conceptual tools for social work practice. Introduces systems theory and emphasizes the role of social forces as shapers of human behavior. Presents life span phases including infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Special topics include ethnocentrism and racism. Prerequisites: PS110, SO110 (at least concurrently). Offered fall.

Studies how social systems impact and are impacted by a broad context of human behavior in culture and society, communities and organizations, groups, families, and individuals. Presents life span phases of young adulthood, middle adulthood and later adulthood. Special topics include gender roles, sexism, and sexual orientation. Prerequisites: PS110, SO110 (at least concurrently). Offered spring.

The course helps students apply the study of economics in addressing and resolving the needs of diverse client systems. The focus of this course is on building knowledge, values, and skills that lead to individual and collective economic justice. This course will address such economic topics as capitalism and socialism, globalization, funding, scarcity of resources, income distribution and the underprivileged, the concept of human capital, and institutionalized forms of economic oppression. Offered alternate years in fall.

Explores contemporary marriage and family relations in our changing society. Utilizing a developmental framework, it focuses on the tasks that individuals, couples, and families must accomplish at different points during the family life cycle and the crises with which they may be challenged. Students are introduced to the kinds of skills and support that assist people as they form and maintain the most important relationships. Cross-listed as PS312. Offered annually.

Part I of the generalist practice sequence emphasizes key practice skills in areas utilized in intervention with individuals and family client systems. Prerequisites: Admitted into Social Work Program, SW112, SW201, SW202, or equivalents. Offered fall.

Provides students with an overview of substance abuse from a systems perspective. Explores the major theories of addiction, the physiological and psychological results of substance abuse, commonly used substances and their effects, and the latest treatment developments and research findings. Cross-listed as PS330. Offered alternate years.

Provides students with an overview of the various social issues and systems that impact the welfare of children from a historical, theoretical, and practice perspective. Explores the various social issues children face and the services that are available to them. Emphasizes various diverse populations in relation to the social issues and systems addressed in the course. Offered alternate years.

Provides students with an overview of this growing population and explores the various social issues and systems that impact older adults and their families from a historical, theoretical, and practice perspective, including policies and programs that are available to address needs. The role of social work in this field of practice is also explored. Offered alternate years.

Offers an opportunity to develop a set of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes in the area of social work policy practice. Fosters an understanding of the development, implementation, and assessment of policy in legislation, agencies, and communities. Prerequisite: GO210 or faculty permission. Offered alternate years in fall.

Part II of the generalist practice sequence emphasizes social work through groups, which become the medium of change. Explores the historical roots of working with groups and expands the concept of clients by viewing the group as the client system. Focuses on the development of groups, types of groups social workers are involved in, and both group leadership skills and membership in groups. Gives an opportunity to participate in a group experience. Prerequisites: Admitted into Social Work Program, SW112, SW201, SW202, or equivalents. Offered spring.

Part III of the generalist practice sequence emphasizes macro practice. Focuses on those skills, which enable the entry-level social worker to effectively deal with the decision-making process regarding organizational and community changes and to be competent in knowing when such intervention is appropriate. Explores the interrelationship between macro practice and those practices on the micro and mezzo levels. Prerequisites: Admitted into Social Work Program, SW112, SW201, SW202, or equivalents. Offered spring.

Provides sixteen hours a week of entry-level social work practice in a prearranged social service agency. Practicum supervisors hold a MSW degree or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school of social work. The student creates a field practicum portfolio. Seminars are held on relevant topics periodically during the semester. Prerequisites: Admitted into Social Work Program and screening interview. Offered fall.

Builds on the experiences of the first Field Practicum course. Undertakes more active advocacy roles for clients, evaluates the intervention efforts, and terminates with the clients. The student completes a field practicum portfolio. Seminars are held on relevant topics during the semester. Prerequisites: Admitted into Social Work Program, screening interview, SW427. Offered spring.

Provides 420 hours of entry-level social work practice in a prearranged social service agency. Practicum supervisors hold a MSW degree or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school of social work. The student creates, maintains, and completes a field practicum portfolio and builds on experiences as the semester progresses. Seminars are held on relevant topics periodically during the semester. Prerequisites: Admitted into Social Work program, screening interview. Offered as needed in fall or spring.

Open to qualified juniors and seniors who are candidates for the baccalaureate degree in Social Work and wish to undertake an in-depth study of a research or practice-related content area. Offered as requested.