Social Work (SOWK)

FACULTY: Bauer, Berger, Brenden, Brommel, Caron, Chovanec, Dziengel, Ferguson, Freeman, Garrett, Graham, Herman, Hollidge, Johncox, Kaiser, Kuechler, McPartlin, Parnell, Roseborough, Shank*, Thornton, Toft (*dean)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SOWK 2100 RELATIONSHIP, INTIMACY, SEXUALITY 4 Cr.
This course addresses three major areas, exploring the values and societal influence on relationships, intimacy and sexuality. The focus is on the influence of culture, religion, family and friends; understanding self-worth, communication patterns and the effect of family and other significant relationships on the development of one’s needs/wants in relationships, intimacy and sexuality; discovering the basic attributes, purposes and powers of significant relationships, intimacy and sexuality. Participation in a structured small group discussion is required. Open to nonmajors.

SOWK 2810 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK 4 Cr.
This course introduces you to the profession of social work within the context of the social welfare system. It provides an overview of an integrative approach to generalist social work practice, which emphasizes intervention on individual, environmental and societal levels. Special emphasis is placed on values, human diversity, social problems and social work fields of practice. Prerequisite: SOCI 1000 or PSYC 1001.

SOWK 3400 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 4 CR.
The primary focus of this course is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of human behavior and development from a social systems approach as affected by biological, cultural, environmental and psychosocial factors. Emphasis is on the role of individual, family, small group, organization and community in human behavior as related to social-work practice. Cultural, ethnic and lifestyle diversity and their effects on the development of human systems are stressed. Prerequisite: PSYC 2025. Prerequisite with concurrency for majors: SOWK 2810; BIOL 1120 or 1210 or other human biology course; or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 3550 COMMUNICATION AND INTERVIEWING SKILLS 4 Cr.
This course is the first of a four-course practice sequence. The primary focus is on communication theory and skills as applied to social work with individuals, families, small groups and communities and organizations. There is an emphasis on self-awareness, beginning assessment skills and diversity issues. An integrative approach to generalist social work practice provides the context for intervention on individual, environmental and societal levels. Prerequisite with concurrency: SOWK 2810 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 3750 and 3760, or 3780 JUNIOR FIELDWORK IN SOCIAL WORK 4 CR. total
Junior fieldwork complements your academic work through practical experience in a social work agency. Under the supervision of an agency field instructor, you learn beginning social-work tasks and functions while applying theory to actual social-work situations. You participate in an on-campus seminar with other junior social work majors while in placement during fall (3750) and winter (3760) semesters. The placement is 10 hours per week during fall and winter semesters totaling 200 hours.
Note: Fall SOWK 3780 (4 credits) is open to you if you are going abroad winter semester. Also offered in Weekend College with placement during fall and winter terms. Prerequisite with concurrency: SOWK 2810.

SOWK 3850 WORKING WITH GROUPS: THEORY AND PRACTICE 4 CR.
This course is the second of the four-course practice sequence. The primary focus of the course is on the study of human behavior in groups with emphasis on the use of groups in generalist social work practice to accomplish individual, family, organizational and/or community goals. Extensive opportunities to practice the skills necessary to be an effective group member and leader are provided. The effects of diversity on group interaction are stressed. Prerequisite: SOWK 3550 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 3910 SOCIAL POLICY FOR SOCIAL CHANGE 4 Cr.
This course equips you to understand and critically analyze current and past social policies. Policy alternatives are explored with a focus on the values and attitudes as well as the societal, economic and political dynamics from which they originate. Roles and responsibilities of citizens and professionals in formulating and implementing policies responsive to actual social needs are addressed. Prerequisite: SOWK 2810 or consent of the instructor.

SOWK 4010 GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES & GROUPS 4 CR.
This is the third course in the four-part practice sequence. This course prepares you for generalist social work practice with individuals, families and groups in the context of their social environments with emphasis on aspects of diversity. A primary focus is the application of social-work knowledge through increased development of skills. The overall goal of the course is integration and application of the stages of the generalist social work method. Prerequisite: SOWK 3850, senior major status. Corequisite: SOWK 4050.

SOWK 4020 GENERALIST PRACTICE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE 4 Cr.
This course is a continuation of SOWK 4010 and the final of the four courses in the practice sequence of social work curriculum. The focus is on the development of intervention methods based on generalist social-work knowledge that can be applied to all client systems. A special emphasis is placed on effects of oppression and strategies for social action. A combination of lecture, discussion, experiential learning, and small group activities provides you with knowledge and skills for client advocacy and social change. Prerequisite: SOWK 4010. Corequisite: SOWK 4060.

SOWK 4050 SENIOR FIELDWORK IN SOCIAL WORK 4 Cr.
Senior fieldwork complements your academic work through practical experiences in a social work agency. Under the supervision of an agency field instructor, you learn social-work tasks and functions while applying theory to actual social-work situations. You participate in an on-campus seminar with other senior social work majors while in placement. The placement is 15-20 hours per week during fall and winter semesters totaling 400 hours. In Weekend College, placement is in fall and winter terms. Corequisite: SOWK 4010.

SOWK 4060 SENIOR FIELDWORK IN SOCIAL WORK 4 Cr.
See SOWK 4050. Corequisite: SOWK 4020.

SOWK 4410 FAMILY RESILIENCE AND DIVERSITY 4 Cr.
This course presents a family resilience framework for therapeutic and preventative efforts with families. The resilience lens shifts perspective from viewing distressed families as damaged to seeing them as challenged, affirming their potential for repair and growth. You will develop a knowledge base of the experience of diversity through the study of cultural values, lifestyle and family structures.

SOWK 4602 or 4604 INTERNSHIP 2 or 4 Cr.
This course is a structured out-of-class learning experience that takes place on or off campus and includes a substantial work component. An internship involves you in the particular profession in an exploratory way to test career interests and potential. To initiate an internship experience, you must meet with the internship coordinator in the Career Development Office. Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites: Faculty sponsorship and approval by department chair.

SOWK 4850 SEMINAR 4 Cr.
An opportunity to explore advanced areas of the social work profession in small groups under departmental supervision. Prerequisite: Admission to the major or permission of the instructor.

SOWK 4952 or 4954 INDEPENDENT STUDY 2 or 4 Cr.
Also offered in Weekend College. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and department chair.

SOWK 4994 TOPICS 4 Cr.
The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies from year to year but does not duplicate existing courses. Also offered in Weekend College.

URL: http://minerva.stkate.edu/academiccatalog0709.nsf/pages/social_work
This page was created on 05/08/2007 and last updated on 11/27/2007.
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