Social Work (SWK)

It is human nature to say, "Why is that person acting that way?" Sometimes, we can't even explain our own behavior! This course will allow students to answer the question of Why is it important to understand what people do and why they do it? Students will explore how complicated human behavior can be by building an understanding of the different perspectives that work together to explain behavior. Students will use collaboration to analyze situations in ways that influence our thinking about and empathy toward others in our complex social world.

This is an introductory social work course, providing students with a foundational understanding of the profession of social work, its areas of practice, the values and ethics that guide the profession, and the historical development of social work and its associated policies. Students will learn how the social work profession interacts with various contexts that influence practice, and how it promotes social and economic justice to protect human rights, address critical social issues, and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.

This course explores the complex social, cultural, and environmental factors that shape patterns of substance use, misuse,and addiction. At individual and familial levels, the course will examine the etiology, development, and treatment of substance use. At the community and societal levels, the course examines public policy efforts to regulate and control substance use from historical and contemporary perspectives. We examine the implications for racial, social, and economic justice as well. Drawing from contemporary research and real-world case examples, the course emphasizes how substance use cannot be understood or effectively addressed without considering its broader social context. A central component of the course is skill development in Brief Motivational Interventions (BMI), including Motivational Interviewing (MI) principles, and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Students will learn core communication strategies for fostering client autonomy, enhancing motivation for change, and designing plans and goals for reducing harmful use. Through demonstrations and experiential exercises, students will develop foundational competencies in applying BMIs within diverse practice settings such as healthcare, schools, community agencies, and criminal-legal systems. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze the social determinants of substance use, apply evidence-based brief intervention models, and integrate culturally responsive, ethically grounded approaches to substance-related care.

This course examines human sexuality from a biopsychosocial perspective with an analysis of sex, gender, and sexuality in contemporary society. We will examine gender and sexuality from multiple levels of analysis including the meaning and experience of the body, self, and identity, social groups and networks, as well as social organization within our major social institutions. We also discuss how gender intersects with other social statuses, such as race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality, and nationality to reproduce inequalities and power relations.

This course constitutes an overview of gerontology, including the major theories used to explain the physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging. As the one inequality all people face, the study of aging and ageism examines the transformations in the life course of older adults and the impacts on those they encounter. Drawing from a holistic perspective, the course explores current issues and trends related to finances and retirement, health, living environments, social justice, and politics. This course will raise students' awareness of the diversity of the aging experience and enhance their responsiveness when engaging with older adults.

This course provides you with an overview of family preservation and child welfare services in the United States. You will learn about the historical and legislative foundations of welfare for families and contemporary child welfare systems. Child maltreatment assessment, family preservation, out-of-home placement, reunification, and adoption are covered, within a framework of trauma-informed practice and strengths-based theory. An emphasis is placed on prevention measures as well as an overview of associated issues such as substance use disorders, mental illness, interpersonal violence, and housing instability. The course is also relevant to students in related fields (e.g., education, nursing, psychology, criminal justice, public health, law) who may interact with families in their professional practice.

This course provides an introduction to the history and structure of social welfare programs and policies in the United States. It works to sharpen the student's ability to analyze the policy to program relationship, and the economic, political, and ideological influences on policy and programs. Students will examine the history of the profession of social work and its contributions to social welfare programs and perspectives to evaluate the effects of social policies on diverse groups. This course will examine historical social welfare policy, current policy concerns, and the development of policy utilizing rights-based, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist lenses. Given both the needs of society and trends in social work education, emphasis will also be put on policy practice.

This course examines human behavior and development in the context of social and ecological systems through an empowerment perspective. It provides an overview of theoretical and person-in-environment perspectives applied to understanding bio-psycho-social-spiritual and political development of the person within diverse contexts of family, group, community, organizational, and cultural systems. In particular, the course permits students to explore the meanings of social, economic, racial, and environmental justice, and ground themselves in their own religious/spiritual and/or secular traditions. Further, this course offers students an opportunity to critique and apply abstract concepts to real-world professional practice. It equips students with knowledge to critically reflect upon and apply appropriate theories when engaging in culturally responsive social work practice with diverse groups. Admission to the BSW program.

This course examines human behavior and development in the context of social and ecological systems through an empowerment perspective, including frameworks that examine how systemic discrimination and oppression shape the human experience. It equips students with knowledge to critically reflect upon and apply appropriate theories when engaging in culturally responsive social work practice. This macro-focused course will examine the interactions between the developing person, their families, and the social systems in which lifelong development takes place. Human behavior and development are studied utilizing biological, psychological, and socio-cultural perspectives examining moral psychology, trauma theory, neuroscience, environmental justice, group dynamics, and community development through a social work lens. Incorporated into this context is current knowledge related to historically marginalized populations.

This course prepares students to work with individuals from engagement and assessment to intervention and evaluation, developing their competencies for generalist social work practice. Emphasis is on professional methods and skills, including self-awareness and cultural humility, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and boundary setting, all within a recognition of the influence of oppression and privilege on people's lives. Students examine the person-in-environment framework, ecosystems model, and the empowerment and strengths perspectives as guiding principles for generalist practice. Additionally, they gain knowledge about the Social Work profession's Code of Ethics and opportunities to apply its values, principles, and standards to ethical dilemmas in practice. Admission to the BSW program.

Working with families and groups is an integral part of social work practice. In this course students will learn about family dynamics and group processes with an emphasis on empowerment theories. A strengths-based orientation focused on equity and inclusion in practice with diverse populations is emphasized. The purposes of social work at these levels and related worker roles and tasks will be examined. Specific skills and methods include group facilitation, family assessment, collaborative problem-solving, and observing group processes.

This course broadens students' understanding of generalist practice processes with special emphasis on methods for affecting change in organizations and communities. Students employ anti-oppressive and anti-racist lenses while learning change models that are specific to working with organizations and communities. Special attention is also given to the strategies to affect change within the political arena. Within the global context, the frameworks through which these skills are explored are empowerment, cultural humility, and justice. Students will contextualize these skills in the ever-connected global society in which people live and where people experience differential power and oppression across groups.

This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of and appreciation for the use of research as a tool for professional evidence-based practice with and on behalf of at-risk populations and to evaluate programs and practices. Students are introduced to the concepts and skills underlying a systematic approach to applied social work research, including basic research terminology, the scientific method in social work, the value of research in social work, research ethics and the social work value base, problem formulation and conceptualization, measurement, research designs, sampling, alternative quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analytic techniques, and relevant information and computer technologies which are critical prerequisites for advanced program and performance evaluation and analysis.

This course takes a broad view of diversity in contemporary America. Students will explore how diversity and intersectionality shape human experiences and identity development and affect equity and inclusion. The dimensions of diversity that will be discussed as the intersectionality of factors include but are not limited to age, caste, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, generational status, immigration status, legal status, marital status, political ideology, race, nationality, religion and spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Emphasis will be given to developing an understanding of the concept of intersectionality, a sensitivity to the experience of historically underrepresented populations, and an appreciation of the unique identities, lived experiences, and different cultures in the United States.

This elective course is designed for students interested in international social work and cross-national comparisons of social welfare programs and policies. Students interested in international social work practice abroad and/or for transnational work in the United States (for example, social work practice with immigrants, refugees, and international migrants or work in the field of international adoptions), will find this course useful in applying social work principles, the strength's perspective, and an empowerment perspective to social and economic development and cross-cultural social work practice.

The BSW Practicum takes place in community agency settings 12 hours per week over both fall and spring semesters for a total of 400 hours. The practicum experience provides students with opportunities to integrate classroom learning in a supervised practice setting and to demonstrate social work competency development. Pass/No Pass only. Admission to the BSW program.

The BSW Practicum takes place in community agency settings 12 hours per week over both fall and spring semesters for a total of 400 hours. The practicum experience provides students with opportunities to integrate classroom learning in a supervised practice setting and to demonstrate social work competency development. Pass/No Pass only. Admission to the BSW program.

This 1-credit class accompanies students' field experience. Readings, course discussions, and exercises support identification with the social work profession and the application of ethical principles and critical thinking in practice at all system levels. Admission to BSW program.

This 1-credit class accompanies students' generalist field experience. Readings, course discussions, and exercises support identification with the social work profession and the application of ethical principles and critical thinking in practice at all system levels.