SWK 105  Introduction to Social Work (3)

An introduction to the knowledge, skills, and values of social work practice. Students will be assisted in understanding how social workers identify strengths and utilize a problem-solving process to address the needs of people in the context of their social environments. Particular attention will be given to students’ self-awareness and faith as they prepare to establish professional helping relationships within the context of a social agency. Basic practice principles will be explored through the use of reading assignments, case studies, role plays, volunteer experiences in social agencies, and classroom lectures.

SWK 110  Human Diversity and Social Interaction (3)

A survey of the similarities and differences of human individuals and groups, and the effects of human diversity on social interaction, within the context of the social welfare institution and the social work profession. Particular attention will be given to differences based on age, class, color, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Students will be assisted in using knowledge to inform practice by developing skills and strategies based on client strength and empowerment. Particular attention will be given to values inherent within a Christian worldview. Material for thought and discussion will be provided by reading assignments, videos, students’ life experiences, field observation, and classroom lectures.

SWK 205  Human Need and Social Response (3)

A survey of individual, family, and community needs, and the way American society organizes itself to meet them systematically through the social welfare institution, historically and in contemporary society. Students will be assisted in understanding the social welfare institution as a manifestation of the interplay of values in a political context. Attention will be given to the contributions of the Christian church and other faith-based organizations, and the roles of social workers, in the social welfare institution. Material for thought and discussion will be provided by reading assignments, videos, students’ life experiences, field interviews, and classroom lectures.

SWK 251  Child Welfare (3)

A study of problems experienced by families and children and the services designed to meet them. Attention will be given to traditional services dealing with problems such as child abuse and marital conflict, as well as less traditional services dealing with problems such as adolescent flight, spouse abuse, and addictions.

SWK 254  Services to the Aging (3)

An exploration of the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the aging and the services available to meet them. Attention will be given to the role of the church in meeting the needs of the elderly.

SWK 256  Health and Social Welfare (3)

Current concepts of “health” and “illness” will be critically examined in light of their manifest and latent definitions. A framework incorporating social, psychological, political, economic, biological and spiritual factors will be used to explore the developmental life cycle process. Major subgroups which evidence vulnerability to repeated episodes of physical and/or mental illness will be identified and discussed. The role of the social worker in the health care setting, both direct and indirect, will be explored.

SWK 258  Women’s Issues and Services (3)

An exploration of current issues facing women and social services that have developed in areas such as child welfare, mental health and domestic violence. Consideration will be given to social, political and economic factors that influence the way in which issues emerge and services are developed. Contemporary and historical response of secular and Christian communities to women’s issues will be examined. Particular attention will be given to ways in which social workers listen and respond to women’s needs.

SWK 340  The Social Work Agency (3)

An exploration of the social work agency from the perspective of a direct service social work practitioner. Students will use materials contributed from their field practicum experiences as the basis for exploring the impact of the social work agency on its clients, the larger society, and the social worker. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in SWK 205. Corequisite: SWK 370.

SWK 360  Social Work Practice I (3)

An introduction to social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Assigned readings and social work process records provided by the instructor or contributed from the students’ own field practicum experiences will be used to begin to acquire knowledge and skills required by social work practitioners. Open to junior social work majors only.  Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C in SWK 105, 110, 205, PSY 100, SOC 100. Corequisite: SWK 370.

SWK 370  Social Work Field Practicum I (4)

Supervised social work practice and observation in a social work agency or host setting, two days per week (normally Tuesday and Thursday). Students carry beginning, direct-service responsibilities. Agency placement is made the previous fall semester. Graded on P/F basis. Open to junior social work majors only. Prerequisite: admission to the social work major. Corequisites: SWK 340, 360.

SWK 420  Individual Growth and Activity in Social Environment (3)

An exploration of the character and process of human growth and activity as a basis for understanding one’s clients and one’s self and the interaction between the two. The focus will be on the individuality and sociality of human beings and the tensions between these qualities. Attention will be given to the concepts of freedom, will, choice and responsibility as they mediate between theoretical frameworks which emphasize internal and external causal factors. Open to senior social work majors only. Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C in SWK 110, ANTH 101, BIO 104, PSY 100, SOC 100. Corequisite: SWK 471.

SWK 440  Social Welfare Policy Issues (3)

An exploration of the ideological and philosophical issues underlying current social welfare policy in the United States. Students utilize analysis of major social welfare policy areas to inform their understanding of current issues, developing social forces, and macro-level social change activities. Open to senior social work majors only. Prerequisite: Minimum grades of C in SWK 340, ECON 203 or 220, POS 104.  Corequisite: SWK 472.

SWK 461/462  Social Work Practice II (3/3)

Emphasis is placed on deepening understanding of social work practice and beginning integration of knowledge and skill. Open to senior social work majors only. Must be taken during one academic year.  Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in SWK 360. SWK 461 corequisites: SWK 420, 471, 481. SWK 462 corequisites: SWK 440, 472.

SWK 471/472  Social Work Field Practicum II (4/4)

Supervised social work practice in a social work agency or host setting, two days per week. Students carry direct service responsibilities throughout the two semesters. Open to senior social work majors only. Agency placement is made during the spring semester of the previous academic year. Graded on a P/F basis. Must be taken during one academic year. Prerequisite: SWK 370. SWK 471 corequisites: SWK 420, 461, 481. SWK 472 corequisite: SWK 440.

SWK 481  Social Work Research (3)

An introduction to scientific methods of inquiry concerning the phenomena encountered by direct service social work practitioners. Particular attention is given to evaluation and interpretation of research findings, research design and implementation, basic statistical measures, evaluation of service delivery, evaluation of students’ own practice, the implications of human diversity for research design and interpretation, and the ethical context of the research process. Corequisite: SWK 471.