SWU TR300 | 300-Level Transfer Course | 4-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
SWU 4RVW | DEPARTMENT REVIEW FOR COURSE PLACEMENT | 4-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
SWU 301 | PROFESSIONAL WRITING AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The practice of professional social work requires accurate and persuasive communication in multiple formats. This required, foundation-level course is designed to introduce students to the major possibilities and constraints of professional writing and other forms of communication as well as survey the career paths available to professional social workers. There is an emphasis on writing for professional settings including case studies, mandated reports, summaries, and professional publication.
SWU 311 | HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is the first course of a two-part sequence designed to develop an understanding about human behavior and the social environment; the course offers an ecosystems framework and method for understanding human behavior within the context of personal, family, group and community systems. Using a bio-psycho-social theoretical framework, fundamental concepts and theories are introduced with the life cycle serving as the organizational focus. The course covers the first half of the life span: conception, infancy, childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.
Junior Standing or above is a prerequisite for this class.
SWU 312 | HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is the second course of a two-part sequence designed to develop an understanding about human behavior and the social environment; the course offers an ecosystems framework and method for understanding human behavior within the context of personal, family, group and community systems, organizations, and institutions. Using a bio-psycho-social theoretical framework, fundamental concepts and theories are introduced with the life cycle serving as the organizational focus. The course covers the second half of the life span: young adulthood, middle adulthood, later adulthood and end of life.
MSW 311 and department consent are prerequisites for this course.
SWU 321 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course presents the conceptual foundations and methods of research needed in order to assist students with integrating research knowledge and professional social work practice. It presents social justice as an overarching paradigm in the study of social work research. SWU 421 presents the conceptual foundations and methods of research in order to assist students with integrating research knowledge with professional social work practice and ethics. The course focuses on the quantitative and qualitative methods. The course covers the research process from problem identification through the conceptualization of research questions, sampling, design, measurement, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings. Additionally the course pays specific attention to ethics in research and issues of race, class, gender and sexual orientation. As an alternative to the quantitative research method, the course touches briefly on qualitative methods. The course makes use of examples and readings that focus on conducting research with individuals, families, and communities in urban environments. Students engage in a critical analysis of the quantitative research method and consider alternative methods of developing knowledge as it pertains to social work. Additionally, the course provides a basic coverage of data analysis using both the quantitative and qualitative research methods with the goal of developing student's conceptual understanding and ability to critically interpret research findings.
SWU 331 | SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This foundation-level course is designed to provide students with the entry-level knowledge of social work ethics and values, policy formation and analysis, and practice skills necessary to impact and interpret the rules and regulations surrounding social welfare. Emphasis is placed on understanding political processes at the agency, local, regional and federal level and attention is given to economic considerations as well as the unique role of social welfare policy in regulating the lives of clients, particularly those from historically oppressed groups.
Junior Standing or above is a prerequisite for this class.
SWU 350 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIAL WORK | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
See schedule for current offerings. MSW degree seeking required.
SWU 381 | FOUNDATION PRACTICE I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is the first in a series of three required foundational courses (MSW 381, MSW 382 and MSW 383) designed to equip students with the basic theoretical knowledge, analytical skills, practice skills, and values needed to practice generalist social work with diverse individuals and families in an urban context. The course is grounded in an empowerment model with an emphasis on social justice and the Vincentian values of respect, advocacy, service, and inventiveness. The course will explore the implementation of the ecosystems perspective as it applies to a generalist practice. The course will also cover the relationship between professional and personal values, social work ethics, assessment, relationship building, implementing change strategies, and practice evaluation. This course is to be taken concurrently with MSW 491 (Foundation Field Education I) and is required of all students enrolled in the first year field sequence.
SWU 382 | FOUNDATION PRACTICE II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is the second in a series of three required foundational courses (MSW 381, MSW 382 and MSW 383) designed to equip students with the basic theoretical knowledge, analytical skills, practice skills, and values needed to practice generalist social work with groups in an urban context. The course will emphasize the development, implementation, and evaluation of various forms of therapeutic groups along with some content on organizational task groups. Task groups will be covered more thoroughly in MSW 383. The course is grounded in an empowerment model with an emphasis on social justice and the Vincentian values of respect, advocacy, service, and inventiveness. This course is to be taken concurrently with MSW 492 (Foundation Field Education II) and is required of all students enrolled in the first year field sequence.
SWU 383 | FOUNDATION PRACTICE III | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is the third in a series of three required foundational courses (MSW 381, MSW 382 and MSW 383) designed to equip students with the basic theoretical knowledge, analytical skills, practice skills, and values needed to practice generalist social work within communities and organizations. Specifically, this course introduces skills associated with task groups which serve to meet client needs in communities and organizations. The course is grounded in the empowerment model with an emphasis on social justice and the Vincentian values of respect, advocacy, service, and inventiveness. This course is to be taken concurrently with MSW 493 (Foundation Field Education III) and is required of all students enrolled in the first year field sequence.
SWU 401 | PROFESSIONAL WRITING AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The practice of professional social work requires accurate and persuasive communication in multiple formats. This required, foundation-level course is designed to introduce students to the major possibilities and constraints of professional writing and other forms of communication as well as survey the career paths available to professional social workers. There is an emphasis on writing for professional settings including case studies, mandated reports, summaries, and professional publication.