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SOCIOLOGY/SOCIAL WORK SOC/CRJS 220. Drugs, Crime & Criminal Justice This course provides the student with an understanding of drug abuse, crime, and the criminal justice system. The primary focus is on how police, courts, and corrections systems respond to drug related crimes and drug-abusing offenders. The course reviews the history of the drug-crime connection, compares criminal justice policies on drug abuse, critiques intervention strategies, and considers future initiatives to reduce the drug problem. 3 credits.

SOC/CRJS/PSYC 350. Antecedents of Aggression The course explores the origins and development of human aggressive behavior with an eye towards its control and treatment. Classical formulations of the issue by Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are presented as well as contemporary psychological, sociological, and criminological formulations. Students are exposed to issues in the philosophy of social science. e.g., reductionism and changing views of causality. Course also examines the origins of nonaggression and how aggression might be managed SOC/CRJS 228. Treatment of Adolescent in a complex multi­cultural society. 3 credits. Behavior Problems This course focuses on the latest research-based SOC/POLI 330. Introduction to Social Statistics approaches to the rehabilitation of adolescents who This course is designed to teach the terminology and are either involved in delinquent behavior or at risk of methods of descriptive statistics and to introduce involvement. It emphasizes cognitive, cognitive-behav- students to inferential statistics so that political science, ioral, familial, multi-systemic approaches. 3 credits. sociology, social work, and criminal justice majors can be informed consumers in their fields, carry out basic SOC/CRJS 230. Criminology statistical tests, and to help prepare those students who An analysis in depth of criminal behavior systems, go on to graduate school. 3 credits. theoretical developments in explaining crime, and research methodology used in modern American SOC/POLI 362. Global Issues criminology. 3 credits. An overview of significant global issues, such as human rights, arms proliferation, regional conflicts, and SOC/CRJS 240. Victimology sustainable development, with attention to the scope, This course focuses upon a recent and rapidly causes, and consequences of these issues. Special developing branch of criminology which is designed to emphasis will be placed on theories of global civil study the crime victim. Included will be victim society and the role of NGOs and transnational advocacy vulnerability–the susceptibility of certain groups of groups in mobilizing responses to these issues. The people to victimization–and culpability–the actions on contributions of the constructivist perspective in the part of individuals which, under certain international relations, with theoretical insights drawn circumstances, suggest victims may be partly from both political science and sociology, will be responsible for their own victimization. Recently enacted explored and debated in readings and assignments. laws pertaining to the rights of victims will be examined. 3 credits. ~A HELM Course~ 3 credits. SOCW 107. Introduction to Social Work SOC/CRJS 306. Seminar: Organized & White Explores the nature of the social work profession Collar Crime including its history and value base. This course will This course will examine corporate, occupational, familiarize the student with the direction of social work professional and organized crime, the biggest growth for the future beginning practitioner. Students have the area of crime and law enforcement activity today. opportunity to gain an understanding of the various Through analysis of cases, recent legal developments social service agencies and populations served by social and literature, emerging trends in the criminal justice workers. ~A HELM Course~ 3 credits. system’s reaction to these types of crime will be explored. 3 credits. SOCW 220. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I SOC/CRJS 337. Sociology of Law This course explores the interactions within and among An exploration of the purposes and process of criminal human biological, psychological, sociological, and and civil law in the U.S. with emphasis on the actual cultural systems as they affect human growth and operation of the legal system. Topics covered include the development. Systems theory provides the primary police, types of courts, the legal professions, corrections, lens from which to understand the complex dynamics and the role of law in social change. 3 credits. involved in human behavior. Students also explore and critique traditional and alternative paradigms that help SOC/CRJS 352. Seminar: Political Crime understand human behavior. Throughout the course and Terrorism emphasis is placed on human diversity. 3 credits. This course will examine political crimes committed for ideological purposes, both against the state and by SOCW 221. Human Behavior and the Social the state. Included are activities such as secret police, Environment II human rights violations, genocide, crimes of officials of This course is a continuation of HBSE I. Emphasis will be government, and illegal surveillance and experiments. In on assessment. ~A HELM Course~ 3 credits. addition, crimes of protest, espionage, political whistle-blowing and, in particular, terrorism will be SOCW 237. Human Services and Children explored. 3 credits. The course will focus on human services provided to children. Topics include: how to complete foster and

SOCIOLOGY/SOCIAL WORK adoptive home studies; placement preparation for foster and adoptive homes; assessment and treatment of emotional, physical and sexual abuse of children. Students will explore a variety of theoretical models of treating children with behavioral problems. 3 credits. SOCW 304. Social Welfare Analysis This course provides exposure to the field of social work through scheduled field trips. We visit a minimum of eight local agencies. Students can become acquainted with the various social service agencies and, simultaneously, class lectures and discussions focus on the social problem(s) referred to these organizations. ~A HELM Course~ 3 credits. SOCW 307. Social Work Practice I This is the first of three courses in the social work practice sequence. Using the generalist, problem solving framework, it is designed to teach social work students the concepts and skills to use in a variety of settings and situations. The use of case discussions and role-playing will enhance the learning of these skills. ~A HELM Course~ 3 credits. SOCW 330. Social Work Practice II This course is a continuation of Social Work Practice I and is designed to further develop the interpersonal skills needed in the social work profession. The methods and techniques used are designed to prepare students for working in a variety of social service settings. The course will include case discussions, role-playing, recorded interviewing and evaluation. ~A HELM Course~ Prerequisite: SOCW 307. 3 credits. SOCW 430. Social Work Practice III This course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in SOCW 307 and SOCW 330 as it introduces social work majors to theories and concepts regarding working with groups, organizations, and communities. Within this context, students will gain knowledge and self-awareness needed to work effectively with large systems, increase their understanding of group dynamics, and learn methods of engagement, assessment, and intervention with the aim of promoting growth, self-determination, and justice. ~A HELM Course~ Prerequisite: SOCW 330. 3 credits. SOCW 440. Social Welfare Policy and Procedures This course is designed to develop skills in social policy analysis and program evaluation. We will assess the relationship between social policy and social values. In addition, students will learn strategies and techniques used to impact political processes related to the planning and delivery of human services. ~A HELM Course~ Prerequisite: SOCW 304. 3 credits. SOCW 480. Social Work Seminar This course is designed to facilitate the integration of the knowledge and skill components for beginning Social Work practice. The course is taken concurrently with the field placement. ~A HELM Course~ 3 credits.

2013-2014 Mercyhurst University Course Catalog • www.mercyhurst.edu


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