NWU Course Catalog

Catalog

2011-2012

Major:

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

The Adult Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Social Work will give you general skills to help individuals, groups, and communities function successfully in the social arena: from dealing with poverty and domestic abuse to disability and mental illness. The degree also includes training in statistics and research.

Departments/Programs:

Social Work

**Bachelor of Science in Social Work**
Required Courses	42 Hours
SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work	3 hours
SOCWK 120 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems	3 hours
SOCWK 127 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I	3 hours
SOCWK 128 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II	3 hours
SOCWK 208 Group Methods	3 hours
SOCWK 209 Macro Methods: Community Organization, Planning and Administration	3 hours
SOCWK 210 Micro Methods: Individuals and Families	3 hours
SOCWK 265 Research Methods	3 hours
SOCWK 297 Field Practicum	1-9 hours
SOCWK 299 Senior Thesis	3 hours
Social Work Electives	6

**Required Supporting Courses (19-20 hours)**
Course Number	Hours
SOC 003 Introduction to Sociology	3 hours
BIO 001 Perspectives in Biological Science	3 hours
PSYCH 002 Applied Psychological Science	3 hours
POLSC 001 United States Government and Politics	3 hours
Cultural Awareness (3 hours - select one of the following)
COMM 185 Diversity Issues in U.S. Society	3 hours
SOC 116 Race Relations and Minority Groups	3 hours
SOC 150 Hispanics and Latinos in U.S. Society	3 hours
ANTHR 154 Native American Cultures	3 hours
Statistics (3-4 hours – select one of the following)
SOC 110 Social Statistics	3 hours
BUS 106 Statistics for Business	3 hours
PSYCH 110 Psychological Statistics	4 hours

**General Education Requirements (39-44 hours)**
Requirement	Hours
English and Communication	6-9
Developing Foundations	8-9
Global Perspectives	6-8
Western Intellectual and Religious Traditions	3
U.S. Culture and Society	6
Fine Arts	3
Scientific Inquiry	7

SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work (3 hours)

Survey of the field of professional social work, including the roles, philosophy, values, skills, and knowledge base needed. Areas of practice and career expectations are explained.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

SOCWK 120 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems (3 hours)

This course studies the historical development of social welfare policies, services, and institutions and addresses contemporary policy and service delivery. The social, political, and value systems that create policies are studied. A systems perspective focuses on the relationship between policy, services, and institutions at the local, state, and federal levels. International perspectives on social policy are discussed for comparative purposes. Primary areas of focus are public welfare, aging, and mental health. Policy implementation and change are discussed.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOCWK 127 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 hours)

A course to synthesize and examine the body of knowledge concerning how the individual, group, family, and community systems interrelate with each other and the larger social context from the lifespan stages of birth through adolescence. Content will be drawn from the biological, psychological, sociological, eco-political, and cultural-environmental systems. The importance of professional ethics in the assessment process is also examined.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

SOCWK 128 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 hours)

A course to synthesize and examine the body of knowledge concerning how the individual, group, family, and community systems interrelate with each other and the larger social context from the lifespan stages of early adulthood through aging and death. Content will be drawn from the biological, psychological, sociological, eco-political, and cultural-environmental systems. The importance of professional ethics in the assessment process is also examined.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOCWK 208 Group Methods (3 hours)

This course provides an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings as well as the practical applications of group work as a vehicle for social work. It also explores how and why groups function and develop skills and techniques of membership and leadership.

Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOCWK 209 Macro Methods: Community Organization, Planning and Administration (3 hours)

An introductory course to the administration and planning of social service organizations. Major emphasis upon community, organization, and legislative analysis; management skills; program planning; and evaluation. A practice-oriented course including simulations, in-class projects, volunteer experience, and personal introspection.

Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work and SOCWK 120 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems or permission of the social work program director.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOCWK 210 Micro Methods: Individuals and Families (3 hours)

Emphasis on social work theory and practice skills. Study of communication patterns, empathic response and assessment of client situations. Experiential learning through role playing, observation, and discussion.

Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

SOCWK 265 Research Methods (3 hours)

An introduction and overview of research methods used in generalist social work practice. Course content includes both quantitative and qualitative methods and emphasizes critiquing research, program evaluation, methods of data collection and analysis, single-subject design, ethical considerations, and the application of evidence-based practice to improve policy and social service delivery.

Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work; SOC 110 Social Statistics or PSYCH 110 Psychological Statistics or ECON 110 Business and Economic Statistics or BUSAD 110 Business and Economic Statistics or BUS 106 Statistics for Business; and junior standing.

(Normally offered each semester.)

SOCWK 297 Field Practicum (1-9 hours)

Supervised learning experiences in selected social work agencies. The experience introduces a variety of social work practice roles and enables the student to apply social work knowledge, skills, and values in a real practice situation. May be taken as block placement for 9 credit hours or as a concurrent placement over two semesters for a total of 9 credit hours.

Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 210 Micro Methods: Individuals and Families and SOCWK 208 Group Methods or SOCWK 209 Macro Methods: Community Organization, Planning and Administration, with grades of "B-" or better, and approved Pre-Field Placement Consultation.

SOCWK 299 Senior Thesis (3 hours)

Independent field research required for all majors.

Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 265 Research Methods and approval of the instructor.

SOC 003 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)

This introductory course presents the basic processes of human interaction in everyday life while introducing students to the theories and methods governing social inquiry. The sociological perspective is used to study the impact of the forces of culture, socialization, social stratification, race, gender, and population on human thoughts and actions.

(Normally offered each semester.)

BIO 001 Perspectives in Biological Science (4 hours)

Designed for non-science majors, this general education course will examine the principles of biology within the context of the human experience and covers cell biology, physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and the interaction of humankind and the environment.

Three hours of lecture per week.

One 3-hour lab per week.

Not open to biology majors.

(Normally offered each semester.)

PSYCH 002 Applied Psychological Science (3 hours)

Lectures and demonstrations that present psychology as a science of behavior and mental processes. Emphasis is on the topics of scientific methodology, development, intelligence, personality description and assessment, psychopathology, psychotherapy, social psychology, and health psychology. Applied Psychological Science and Basic Psychological Science are not sequential. Applied Psychological Science may be taken prior to or following Basic Psychological Science.

(Normally offered each semester.)

POLSC 001 United States Government and Politics (3 hours)

An examination of the context, processes, institutions, and outcomes of the U.S. political system. This course introduces the student to basic concepts and theories central to the study of political science.

(Normally offered each semester.)

COMM 185 Diversity Issues in U.S. Society (3 hours)

This course focuses on a variety of issues a pluralistic society faces in current times. It will reflect upon historical foundations of cultural frameworks in the United States, immigrant cultures, cultural tolerance, empowerment and the close intersections of our global community. In addition, the students will have a chance to reflect upon their own cultural identity, biases, communication issues, and teachings in regards to racism, sexism, language diversity, and ethnocentrism.

Offered in the Adult Undergraduate program only.

SOC 116 Race Relations and Minority Groups (3 hours)

An analysis of the characteristics and problems of racial and minority groups with special emphasis on the themes of prejudice and discrimination. This course focuses primarily on race relations and minority experiences in the United States.

(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 150 Hispanics and Latinos in U.S. Society (3 hours)

This course is designed to introduce students to the diverse relationships between minority groups of Spanish speaking ancestry and U.S. society. Mexican-American experiences will be featured along with the topics of immigration and bilingualism. The course will also cover the contributions and experiences of Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, and people of Central and South American ancestry.

(Normally offered each fall semester.)

ANTHR 154 Native American Cultures (3 hours)

This course examines a wide range of Native American cultures. It includes an exploration of cultures before contact by European populations and contemporary issues facing both reservation and urban Native American populations.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOC 110 Social Statistics (3 hours)

An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics and their applications to sociological and social work research. Statistical procedures include central tendency measures, variability, I-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, univariate regression, and chi square. The course also includes specific emphasis on probability, hypothesis testing, data presentation, and computer analysis of data using existing standard packages such as SPSS and MicroCase.

Prerequisite(s): SOC 003 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 004 Social Problems.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

BUS 106 Statistics for Business (3 hours)

An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include gathering, organizing, interpreting, and presenting data with emphasis on hypothesis testing as a method for decision making in the fields of business and economics. Procedures examined include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and simple regression.

Prerequisite(s): Demonstrated proficiency in high school algebra or permission of the instructor.

Pre or corequisite(s): BUS 103 Spreadsheet Applications.

PSYCH 110 Psychological Statistics (4 hours)

An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics as decision-making guides in psychology and related fields. Topics include organization, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data with emphasis on the hypothesis testing model of inference. Specific procedures include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and Chi-square tests. A laboratory section is required for computational experience.

Prerequisite(s): PSYCH 001 Basic Psychological Science or PSYCH 002 Applied Psychological Science and sophomore standing.

(Normally offered each semester.)

Course Catalogs

Departments/Programs: