SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK 149 to meet these needs. Provides an introduction to the values in society and the social work profession and the means of perpetuating these values through various private and public agencies set up to meet human need. Students have the opportunity to explore different areas of social work practice and discover their own aptitudes for this area of study. Open to all students. SWK 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS. SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 4 credits. E2. A study of human behavior in the context of various social systems (bio-psychosocial and spiritual) and of life tasks, focusing on the influences individuals and the environment have on each other. There is a special emphasis on the systems perspective and human growth and development. Prerequisites: SOC 111 – Human Society, PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology and BIOL 101 – General Biology. Open to students intending to declare social work as a major. SWK 320 G – Social Policy and Systems Perspective, 4 credits. E2. A study of current social policies, human services programs, and a review of related social problems. Special emphasis on systems perspective, critical analysis and human rights policy formulation. Prerequisites: SOC 111 – Human Society and SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare. Open to students intending to declare social work as their major. SWK 350 S, U – Comparative Cultural Encounter, 4 credits. E1. This course examines the need for cultural competency and anti-oppressive education in contemporary Western society. Includes case studies, the use of critical theory, and participatory action research. Students will explore the broad meanings of culture and the exclusion of culturally unique peoples from mainstream opportunities due to systemic institutional policy barriers and acts of individual, workplace and community discrimination. Strategies of opposition, social change, and enlightened human rights practices will be explored. SWK 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information. SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Individuals and Interviewing, 4 credits. E1. The study and practice of generalist social work, using a strengths-based problem solving model within the systems perspective including the generic values, knowledge and skills needed by the generalist social worker for effective problem solving. The helping relationship, its formation, use and purpose are also studied, as well as developing knowledge and skill in intervention and interviewing for social work practice with individuals. Attention is given to the linkage between practice and research. Prerequisites: SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Open to social work majors and to others only with permission of instructor. Students must also register concurrently for SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families. SWK 384 – Social Work Methods II: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Groups, Organizations and Communities, 4 credits. E1. The second social work methods course deals with processes (the problem-posing model within a systems perspective) in working with groups, organizations and communities. It applies and expands on the knowledge and skill attained in the first methods course in working with various size client systems, taking into account cultural differences, ethics, personal and professional values, and use of self. Study includes group dynamics, organizational and community processes, community work, levels of critical consciousness, participatory action research, and evaluation. Prerequisite: SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I. Open only to those accepted into the social work major. SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families, 2 credits. E1. The study and practice of generalist social work, using a strengths-based problem solving model within the systems perspective including the general values, knowledge and skills needed by social workers for effective practice with families. Focus is on the family system and its environment as well as social work techniques and strategies for
working with current family structures and issues. Taken concurrently with SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I. Open to social work majors only. SWK 386 – Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 4 credits. D. A study of spiritual and religious roots for the formation of values, morals and ethics common to a motivation to serve. Attention to developing and applying a sense of compassion and social justice in the human services, church social work and social ministry. Open to all interested students. SWK 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D. A social work co-op provides valuable training and a laboratory in which to test classroom knowledge and one’s interest and aptitude in particular social work settings. Each Cooperative Education experience is tailored to the individual needs and goals of the student. Cooperative Education hours apply to the contextual learning requirements for social work courses. It is strongly recommended that social work students enroll in at least one Cooperative Education experience. SWK 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D. SWK 487 – Directed Research, 1 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct research in a specific area of study, completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Specific expectations of the research experience to be determined by the faculty. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor SWK 490 Z – Practicum in Social Work, 8 to 10 credits. E2, S1. Professional social work experience with qualified supervision in an approved social agency or organization dealing in human or community services. A minimum 480 hour practicum with satisfactory performance is required, together with participation in a seminar (SWK 494 – Social Work Senior Seminar) led by a faculty member. The practicum can be arranged during second semester or during the summer. Open only to those accepted into the social work major. SWK 494 must be taken concurrently. Prerequisites: SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare; SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment; SWK 320 – Social Policy and Systems Perspective; SWK 350 – Comparative Cultural Encounter; SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I; SWK 384 – Social Work Methods II; SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families; and SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics (or PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement and PSYC 301 – Research Methods in Psychology) SWK 494 Z – Social Work Senior Seminar, 2 credits. E2, S1. This is the capstone course in the social work major. The purpose of this course is to integrate all parts of the students’ previous learning and experience in further preparing them for direct entry into generalist social work practice with beginning competency in social work methods and processes. The seminar includes content on perspectives for job interviews and procedures for taking state licensing and merit examinations. It is to be taken concurrently with SWK 490 – Practicum in Social Work. Open only to those accepted into the social work major.