Social Work (B.S.)

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.)

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.)

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-environomental systems. The importance of professional ethics in the assessment process is also examined.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

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.)

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 1150 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director. (Normally offered each spring semester.)

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 1150 Introduction to Social Work and SOCWK 2200 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

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 1150 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

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 1150 Introduction to Social Work; SOC 2910 Social Statistics or PSYCH 2100 Psychological Statistics or ECON 2100 Business and Economic Statistics or BUSAD 2100 Business and Economic Statistics; and junior standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)

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 3080 Micro Practice and SOCWK 3090 Group Practice or SOCWK 3100 Macro Practice, with grades of "B-" or better, and approved Pre-Field Placement Consultation.

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.)

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.)

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 include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and simple regression.
Prerequisite(s): Demonstrated proficiency in high school algebra or permission of the instructor.
Corequisite(s): BUSAD 1090 Spreadsheet Applications.
(Normally offered each semester.)

A study of topics essential to an understanding of statistics and their applications. Topics include probability, discrete and normal probability distributions, sample variability, the central limit theorem, and linear regression.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

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.)

The Introduction to Psychological Science course will engage students in a learner-centered approach to the science of behavior and mental processes by synthesizing these areas of psychology: Scientific Inquiry, Biopsychology, Development and Learning, Sociocultural Context, Individual Variations, and Applications of Psychological Science.

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.

An anlysis 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.)

This course explores the history and contemporary issues of Latinos in U.S. society. It covers the contribuations and experiences of the diverse racial/ethnic/cultural groups from Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean who have become part of the society both as immigrants and as conquered peoples. Topics related to Latino experiences in the U.S. include: identity, language, immigration, population growth, political involvement, education, health, integration, and economics.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

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.)