Department of Social Work

This course explores the intersection of film and social justice, examining how cinematic storytelling has shaped societal understanding and driven social change. Students will analyze films that address various social issues, such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, and human rights. Through film analysis, critical discussion, and reflection, students will develop a deeper understanding of the power of film to raise awareness, challenge dominant narratives, and inspire social action. The course will also explore the role of social justice advocates in utilizing film as a tool for advocacy, education, and empowerment. 

The second of two courses in human behavior in the social environment, this course will continue the examination of human behavior as it relates to the life-course development. An ecosystems framework will be employed to give special attention to diversity issues such as ethnicity, social class, and discrimination as factors affecting human development. This course will include a service learning component. 

Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement. This is a CAP1 (Cultural Awareness Program) designated course.

This course is a several-day urban immersion experience, including coordinated readings. The foci for this course will be to look at services for the homeless and programs for the development of housing stock for low income people in one major urban area. May be repeated for a maximum of two credits. 

Fulfills a General Education Cultural Competency (CC) requirement. This is a CAP1 (Cultural Awareness Program) designated course.

This course is a presentation of the basic skills, values, and knowledge bases for social work practice. Emphasis will be placed on the systemic contexts for the profession, its clients, and the nation's social welfare policies while introducing the student to an array of beginning social work practices. The ecosystems perspective for social work practice with an emphasis on rural communities and small towns will be used to focus on the individual and family client systems.

Continuation of SOWK3550. Students will develop an understanding of social work intervention with a strengths-based model. The ecosystems perspective for social work practice with an emphasis on rural communities and small towns will be used to focus on the individual and family client systems as well as relational systems in organizations and communities.

This course offers an investigation of the history, development, and current nature of welfare policies in the United States. Some comparative material with other developed countries will be added for the purposes of teaching and analysis. The dynamic interaction of organizations, rationale, and perspectives behind the policies and programs developed by federal, state, local, and private entities will be reviewed. Strategies for developing, implementing, and influencing the development of policies will be studied. 

This course is an in-agency setting for observation of and engagement in social work practice under the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Students will log 60 hours. Attention will be given to identifying the knowledge, skills, and values bases of the social work profession. During this junior year practicum setting, each student shall practice using the change process approach (including assessment, goal setting, development of strategies, action plans, termination, and evaluation). 

This course is an in-agency setting for observation of and engagement in social work practice under the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Students will log 60 hours. Attention will be given to identifying the knowledge, skills, and values bases of the social work profession. During this junior year practicum setting, each student shall practice using the change process approach (including assessment, goal setting, development of strategies, action plans, termination, and evaluation). 

This course is an in-agency setting for observation of and engagement in social work practice under the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Students will log 40 hours. Attention will be given to identifying the knowledge, skills, and values bases of the social work profession. During this junior year practicum setting, each student shall practice using the change process approach (including assessment, goal setting, development of strategies, action plans, termination, and evaluation). This course is optional.

This course is an introduction to research and statistics as tools for understanding and improving social work practice. This course will include a review of traditional scientific research methodologies and alternative perspectives, such as the feminist approach to research. Attention will be given to evaluating descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, and evaluative research (and supportive statistical tools) to improve one's professional practice and agency programs, specifically in rural and small-town communities.

This course is a senior-level social work internship in a social service agency. The student is assigned to work under the supervision of a licensed social worker. The placement is chosen to assure that the student attains necessary competencies for entry-level social work. Normally the internship experience is spread across two terms and involves 200 hours of on-location time for each semester. 

This course is a senior-level social work internship in a social service agency. The student is assigned to work under the supervision of a licensed social worker. The placement is chosen to assure that the student attains necessary competencies for entry-level social work. Normally the internship experience is spread across two terms and involves 200 hours of on-location time for each semester.  Fee: Additional fee required.

This course is a senior-level social work internship in a social service agency. The student is assigned to work under the supervision of a licensed social worker. The placement is chosen to assure that the student attains necessary competencies for entry-level social work. Normally the internship experience is spread across two terms and involves 200 hours of on-location time for each semester. This course is optional.