Professional Foundation Courses
SOW 220S Social Science Research 3 cr.
Study of the scientific system of inquiry; introduction to various types of research designs and methods; application of social research methods within the context of prediction and control; class presentation and discussion within a humanistic frame of reference. Course designed for sociology, social work, and political science majors.
SOW 311 Social Welfare as a Social Institution 3 cr.
This course examines the meaning of social welfare and its place in the contemporary United States and other countries. Ways in which social welfare programs are organized and structured are presented along with examples of major social welfare programs. Formal and informal, as well as public and private, social welfare arrangements are studied. Social welfare professions are briefly reviewed
SOW 315Z Foundations of Social Work Practice 3 cr.
Orients majors to the nature of professional education and its important for social work practice. Analyzes the structure and design of generalist practice and education at the baccalaureate level. Studies social work values and their interaction with the knowledge foundations of the profession. Introduces skills of assessment; professional relationship building and communication skills.
SOW 316 Human Behavior and Social Environment I 3 cr.
Reviews basic concepts taken in social, biological, and behavioral science foundation courses; develops a framework to integrate basic concepts for use in holistic social work assessment; uses the framework to analyze the life cycle, focusing on resources and populations at risk.
SOW 317 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II 3 cr.
This is a continuation of SOW 316Z with the emphasis on early adolescence through older adulthood.
SOW 322Z Social Work Processes I 4 cr.
Analyzes in depth the program's conceptualization of entry-level professional social work practice; begins the development of practice skills needed to assess and intervene in situations involving a range of systems; furthers the development of skills, including communication and professional relationship building. Includes the application of skills through a required practicum.
SOW 413Z Social Welfare Policy 3 cr.
Presents an approach to integrate policy and entry-level social work practice. Defines and identifies policies of concern to the baccalaureate social worker by utilizing elements drawn from the program's conception of practice. Analyzes policy-making and policy-formulation processes in a range of resource systems used by the baccalaureate social worker. Develops policy-related analytical and interactional skills for use in practice.
SOW 423Z Social Work Processes II 3 cr.
Further develops practice skills needed to assess and intervene in situations involving the range of systems; begins the development of skills to evaluate one's own practice; examines the relation of skills to professional values and ethics.
SOW 424Z Social Work Processes III 3 cr.
Refines and integrates practice skills needed to assess and intervene in situations involving the range of systems; further develops tools and skills essential to the evaluation of one's own practice and to the effectiveness of interventions.
SOW 491Z Senior Seminar 3 cr.
Integration of concepts learned in previous course work and field experience. Synthesis of a knowledge base for social work practice. Evaluation of personal values as they affect and are affected by current social work practice.
SOW 495Z Field Instruction inSocial Work I 6 cr.
Supervised practicum to acquire skill in social work practice and to test in a field setting the principles and theories learned in the classroom. Students spend 14 hours per week in an agency and participate in a weekly seminar.
SOW 496Z Field Instruction in Social Work II 6 cr.
Continuation of SOW 461Z.