Social Welfare Department(SW)
SW200 Introduction to Social Work (3) This course offers an exciting opportunity for experiential learners to explore the profession of social work, social work values and ethics, and vocational calling to helping those in need. Students will be empowered to explore diverse social work settings and working with a variety of populations.
SW201 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3) This course examines different social science theories about human growth and development. The intent is to look at these theories in relation to the generalist social work perspective and in relation to diverse ethnic, racial, gender, religious, and age related groups. It provides an understanding of the interactions between and among human biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are in turn, affected by human behaviors.
SW202 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3) This course examines different social science theories about human growth and development. The intent is to look at these theories in relation to the generalist social work perspective and in relation to diverse ethnic, racial, gender, religious, and age related groups. It provides an understanding of the interactions between and among human biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are in turn, affected by human behaviors.
SW203 History of Social Welfare (3) This course examines the historical development of the social welfare institutions, the development of the profession of social work, and the basic philosophies which have molded the structure and provision of service to vulnerable citizens throughout history.
SW204 Social Welfare Policy and Service (3) Students examine policies and programs that have been developed to meet human needs in American society. Historical background, ideas, philosophies, social advocacy, and political climate are explored as they impact decision making.
SW205 Generalist Practice with Individuals (3) A study of generalist social work practice within an ecological and problem solving context. This course focuses on practice skills, interventions, and issues with individuals. This course includes the stages of the social work helping process: assessment, goal planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination. This course also assists students to appreciate diversity, develop culturally competent practice skills, use theoretical models to guide social work practice, and practice according to professional social work ethics.
SW206 Generalist Practice with Groups (3) This course focuses on application of the social work helping process with larger client systems, such as families, groups, organizations, and communities. Diversity issues and culturally competent practice are also explored in the context of mezzo level and macro level practice.
SW207 Community Organization and Social Change (3) The course helps students understand the organization of urban, multicultural communities, while engaged in service learning activities in grassroots and nonprofit organizations. Included are methods of practice used to mobilize people to collective action to solve their own problems, form ongoing organizations that enhance their power to meet their own needs, and develop resources where needed.
SW208 Social Work Values and Ethics (3) This course facilitates the integration of Christian faith and values with careers in the helping profession. This is accomplished through examining religious and spiritual experiences, as well as ethical dilemmas often confronted by social workers, nurses, counselors, and others in the helping profession, as they exist within the context of one's cultural, social, and physical environment. Attention is given to the process of faith development, historical perspectives, and the diversity of spiritual experiences.
SW209 Interviewing and Assessment (3) This course presents principles, types, and phases of interviewing various clients (or patients). Students will develop observational skills and communication abilities including documentation and recording. The laboratory section of this course provides the students with the opportunity to participate in interviewing and to receive feedback regarding effectiveness in pertinent competencies such as assessment, interpersonal iteraction, listening and reflecting, and the use of self.
SW210 Intervention and Evaluation (3) This course is to discuss for effective intervention and evaluation. This will give us the opportunity to critically examine how each intervention has been evaluated.
SW211 Social Deviation and Social Work (3) A socio-psychological perspective of abnormal and deviant behavior in relation to social work and appropriate treatment.
SW212 Social Welfare and Religious Institutions in America (3) A study of the effect of religious agencies and their effectiveness in meeting social needs in American society.
SW213 Social Work Research Methods (3) This course prepares the student to do a social science research project. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are examined. Students prepare a research proposal as the final project. For social work majors, the research proposal is connected to their social work internships.
SW214 Abnormal Psychology (3) This course will provide a broad survey of what is considered to be abnormal behavior. The primary focus of the course is the description of various symptoms, syndromes and illnesses. Additional, treatments of abnormal behavior will be briefly discussed.
SW215 Field Internship (6) This social work practicum provides a setting for the development of advanced practice skills and an opportunity for the integration of knowledge, skills, and values in social work. Students complete a minimum of 200 hours in an approved agency or church.
SW500 Christianity and Social Welfare I (4) This course is designed to study students in biblical understanding and discussion about social responsibilities related to social work. This course also presents church related welfare works carried on by individuals and congregations, and on through professionally staffed agencies and institutions.
SW501 Christianity and Social Welfare II (4) This course is designed to study students in biblical understanding and discussion about social responsibilities related to social work. This course also presents church related welfare works carried on by individuals and congregations, and on through professionally staffed agencies and institutions.
SW502 The Spiritual Dimension of Social Work Practice (4) Spirituality is expressed through diverse forms in our clients' lives; it is central to our clients' understanding of suffering and their attempts to resolve it. Therefore, social workers need to be prepared to respond in an effective, spiritually sensitive manner. In response, this course examines major issues pertaining to spiritually sensitive social work practice with clients of various religious and nonreligious perspectives.
SW503 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (4) This course will explore the dynamics of human behavior and prepare a foundation of knowledge on which to build clinical practice skills. Through a study of systems theory and the identification of the biological, psychological and sociological variable influencing development, students gain a theoretical base for application to the assessment in client systems. Special emphasis in this course is on the important factors of human diversity as they affect the dynamics of human behavior.
SW505 Social Welfare Policy (4) Review of existing policy regarding major social issues in the field of social welfare. Examination of discrepancy between need and capacity of social agencies to address need. Exploration of differential impact of policy on various populations.
SW506 Health and Mental Health Policy (4) This course provides an overall view of the historical, social, and economic dimensions of the health care delivery system: how health policies are developed and implemented, and how such policies influence social work practice, program planning, and research. Key health policy issues such as financing, cost, access, and the allocation of resources are explored in the context of health reform proposals. Students investigate how health policy affects specific population groups such as women and children, persons with chronic mental illnesses, persons with AIDS, older adults, and minorities.
SW507 Macro Theory and Communities/Organizations (4) Historical and theoretical developments in administration, planning, and community organization; understanding the community as a social system; administration of organizations; role of the practitioner in identification, analysis, and evaluation of needs, existing programs, policies, structures, and strategies of intervention.
SW508 Social Work Practice with Families, Groups and Complex Cases(4) Theories and principles with primary emphasis on families and groups with application to problems requiring multi level interventions.
SW509 Christian Issues in Psychology (4) This course introduces the student to issues of importance in the integration of psychology and Christianity. Models of integration, critical issues in psychology and contemporary issues are examined in light of the scriptures and modern thinkers in Christian psychology.
SW510 Advanced Theories and Clinical Interventions with Families (4) Advances students' knowledge and clinical skills working with diverse urban families experiencing various stressors. Exploration and application of a range of family therapy models.
SW511 Clinical Practice with Individuals (Children, Adolescents, and Adult)(4) Focuses on developing students’ knowledge and skills in advanced clinical social work with individuals. Classification, evaluation, and diagnosis of the psychiatric disorders described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV). Emphasis placed on diagnostic and psychosocial evaluation, psychiatric epidemiology, genetic factors in mental illness, and the major categories of drugs used in treating psychiatric disorders.
SW512 Family care of the mentally Ill (4) The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and provides the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively. Participants learn about handling crises and relapses; communication techniques; problem solving and limit setting; stress reduction; medications; community services and support; as well as advocacy.
SW513 Organizational Behavior and Management(4) This course introduces concepts, theories and current research in the effective management of organizations. Topics include the basics of systems thinking, as well as team and group dynamics. The role of perception and motivation in the behavior of the individual is addressed. Cases, workshops and readings are integrated in a cohesive approach to management problems.
SW514, 515, 516 Field Education (Internship) I, II, III (12) Practical field experience working within a human service organization. Internships are individually arranged and may be done in a wide array of settings. Students will be required to supplement their experience with a classroom seminar.
SW517, 518, 519 Field Education (Internship) IV, V, VI (12) Advanced practical field experience working within a human service organization. Internships are individually arranged and may be done in a wide array of settings. Students will be required to supplement their experience with a classroom seminar.
SW516 Introductory Research Methods (4) Definitions and classifications of terms used in quantitative methods; measures of typical and maximum performance, reliability, and validity checks; reporting and displaying data; interpreting results.
SW517 Developmental Disabilities (4) This course enhances the students' ability to practice social work with and on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and their families. The course provides a base of knowledge about developmental disabilities and differences, their causes and characteristics. Students learn how disabilities and learning differences impact personal, familial, educational, social, and economic dimensions for the individual, family and society, with attention to the person's special life cycle needs and characteristics. The course also emphasizes legislative, programmatic, political, economic, and theoretical formulations fundamental to service delivery.
SW518 Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention (4) This course focuses on theory and practice of planned brief treatment in social work practice, primarily with individuals but with attention to couples, families and other groupings. The course covers the history of and different approaches to brief treatment. Topics include treatment issues such as criteria for selection of clients, understanding the importance of time in the treatment relationship, the use of history, the importance of focusing, the process of termination and other issues related to brief interventions. Particular attention will be paid to the use of brief treatment approaches in crisis situations. The course presents various methods of assessing an individual's crisis and of helping clients mobilize their strengths to utilize customary methods of coping and learn newer ways of coping.
SW519 Family Violence (4) Family violence is an in depth study from a system's perspective of violence that occurs in families. This course provides an overview of child abuse, spousal abuse, abuse between intimate partners, and elder abuse. The course explores the theory and research as to the causes of abuse, including individual and family factors, elder abuse, gender issues, community and societal influences, and cultural factors. This course explores the policy and programs developed to deal with these crises.
SW520 Grief Counseling and Therapy (4) This course provides a theoretical framework for understanding loss and grief issues as they relate to social work practice. Special attention is given to non death losses. Skills are taught for use in recognizing and addressing loss and grief with clients of diverse backgrounds in a variety of practice settings. Students will have opportunities to develop: 1) a knowledge base regarding loss in its various forms and the manifestations of the grief process; 2) knowledge regarding the objectives of and skills relevant to the practice of grief counseling; and 3) skills relevant to self assessment and appropriate and ethical social work practice in the areas of loss and grief.
SW521 Faith Based Practice and Management (4) This course prepares students to work in existing and newly formed faith based social service agencies. It also serves as a national laboratory to extract new knowledge of best practices and the variability of managing and practicing in faith based social service agencies.
SW523 Substance Abuse Interventions (4) This course addresses intervention approaches used in social work practice with individuals, families, and groups who misuse addictive substances themselves or are affected by another's misuse. Students learn about addictive substances, models of intervention, how to engage and assess clients, and how to intervene and evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions. The course incorporates theory and research findings on various strategies of intervention.
SW524 Mental Health Diagnostics (4) This course familiarizes students with mental health and mental disorders within the context of the life cycle, viewed from a biopsychosocial perspective. Prevalent categories of psychiatric disorders are considered with respect to their differentiating characteristics, explanatory theories, and relevance for social work practice, according to the DSM and other diagnostic tools. The course includes biological information and addresses the impact of race, ethnicity, social class, age, gender, and other socio cultural variables on diagnostic processes.
SW525 The Congregation in the Community (4) This course is an exploration of the dynamics of the relationship between a congregation and its community. Attention is given to various theological and phenomenological models of church and community and to the tools needed to study both a congregation and its surrounding community.
SW526 Christian Social Ethics (4) This course examines the church's historic teachings and current understanding of sexuality, marriage, and family, and of controversial issues in this area through the use of theology, fiction, and films.
SW527 Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (4) This course provides students with the skills and techniques for providing cognitive therapy to adults, adolescents, and children. The course begins with a grounding in the cognitive therapy diagnostic assessment process. Students will be instructed how to use the various cognitive therapy psychological testing scales. Emphasis is then placed on learning to use the cognitive therapy model to treat emotional and personality disorders.
SW702 The Organization & Delivery of Social Services to Workers and Their Families (3) Examines the frequently overlooked human and fiscal resources in and opportunities for innovative social policy planning and program development in the world of work.
SW703 Political Economy of Social Welfare (3) Examines the US social welfare policy and the social work profession in the context of contradictions in political economy, especially those stemming form globalization.
SW704 International Social Welfare Policy and Services(3) Examines international social welfare policy and services and the role of social work in this arena. Looks at past, present and future challenges produced by history, economics change and especially globalization.
SW751 Social Work Research I (3) This course examines and integrates principles of social research methods in the context of social work practice. The course covers the role of research in social work, ethical issues, problem formulation, research design and sampling, measurement and data collection.
SW752 Social Work Research II (3) This course continues SW751. The course covers measurement strategies, qualitative data analysis, the use of descriptive and inferential statistics and methods of quantitative data analysis.
SW754 Advanced Social Work Research (3) The course assumes a basic understanding of research concepts and examines problem formulation, design, sampling and data analysis in more depth.
SW760 Dissertation Design (3) This course is required after completion of SW751, 752, and 754 and it provides the student with a course to sketch out the direction of the doctoral study with a focus on the eventual dissertation topic.
SW780 Seminar in Psychodynamics (3) An in-depth study of various dimensions of psychodynamic theory, including modern driven theory, ego psychology and object relations theory. Student's case material is used to establish the relationship of these theories to clinical social work practice.
SW781 Social Welfare Administration I (3) Designed to provide students with a theoretical understanding of the operation of social agencies. The course covers informal and formal organizational structure, nature of authority, goal setting and service implementation, analysis of inter-organizational positioning, stability and survival, and staff and administrative functioning.
SW782 Social Welfare Administration II (3) The course deals with personnel management, staff training, working with volunteers and paraprofessionals, understanding decision-making processes, budgeting, working with boards and committees, public relations and marketing and methods of accountability.
SW783 Social Work Ethics and Values (3) This course is designed to address moral and philosophical analysis of ethical problems and value issues as presented in social work practice. Emphasis on integration of Christian values and the process of development of awareness of ethical problems in social work and leadership.
SW787 Supervision in Social Agencies (3) Designed specifically for those who look forward to promotion to supervisory positions. Through simulations and role play, students learn the basic techniques of supervising professional social workers and the variety of roles and perspectives required for such work.
SW790 Professional Seminar (3) Designed to assist in the preparation of a major work having as its central focus a practice issue of interest to students.
SW791 Directed Study Work (3) This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to design course work specifically targeted to their dissertation and study needs where current courses are not so directed. Students may register for up to 3 directed study courses with approval of their faculty advisor.
SW792 Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents (3) A range of social work skills are needed when working with urban young people under age 19, including special attention to the strengths perspective and bio-psychosocial model.
SW794 Social Work Practice: Family Treatment(3) An assessment of the family from a systems approach. Content is directed toward helping the student understand the family development life cycle, evaluate the family structure and track the family's interactional patterns.
SW796 Social Work Practice in School Settings(3) The roles and functions of social workers within a complex, ecological system of home/school/community are explored with an emphasis on skill development for practice with urban children and families.
SW798 Multicultural Social Work Practice (3) This course examines in depth the current trends, issues and concerns in social work practice with racially and ethnically diverse individuals, families and groups in the urban environment. Race and ethnicity are examined as interpersonal, intergroup and inter-systemic power differentials, which affect all social work practice.
SW799 Dissertation (12) Students will register for the process of researching and writing for the final research dissertation. Completion of dissertation requirements will be based upon dissertation requirements and by approval of the department faculty director.
