This course introduces students to the concepts, history and development of social welfare, social welfare institutions and social policy within the United States and how they shape the context of social work practice. The evolution and current status of the profession of social work is described as it interfaces with social welfare development, policies and practices. An analytic framework is utilized to identify trends and assess gaps in policies and programs especially as they impact on minorities, women and other vulnerable groups. Reform is discussed in terms of the policy alternatives and the need for social work involvement in political arenas, advocacy groups and as a part of organizational change efforts in order to advance social and economic justice, service delivery, and how political and social ideologies influence policy development.

The first of two courses examining biological, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual perspectives of human behavior, emphasizing interaction of these dimensions as they impact social functioning within the ecological systems framework. Introduce concepts of context and environment, diversity, oppression, poverty, marginalization and alienation, privilege and power, as they shape human experience and identity. Include reflection on developmental influences affecting student’s own values, world view and professional development. Focusing on the human life course through childhood.

The second of two courses examining dimensions of human behavior and the social environment. Builds upon theories and approaches presented in SW 3400: HBSE I, with a focus on human behavior development across the life course and the social system’s role in promoting or deterring health and well-being. Further explores intersection of diversity and difference, social justice and oppression as relates to a person’s life experiences. Stresses the positive value of human diversity in social work practice. Prerequisite: SOWK 5400

The objective of this course is to introduce social work students to the direct practice of integrated behavioral health in primary care. Students will become knowledgeable of the roles of behavioral health providers working in primary care settings, theories and models of care, and cross-cultural issues. They will develop skills in engagement, assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and practice evaluation. Because the populations served in primary care settings span the spectrum of severity in both the physical and behavioral health dimensions, students will develop competencies in engaging and supporting patients across a range of health conditions. Throughout the course, students will critique behavior change theories, practice models, and evidence-based interventions for their utility in an integrated healthcare system. Prerequisite: SOWK 6500

This course orients the student to the application of engagement, assessment, evidence-based intervention, and evaluation with individuals. Students are familiarized with the methods of generalist practice. The course introduces theoretical frameworks for organizing and conceptualizing generalist practice; the principles, methods, and skills of generalist practice across the lifespan; and culturally competent generalist practice. The focus will be on relationship building and communication skills to engage and assess individuals. Further, emphasis will be on the importance of self-awareness and the professional use of self, as well as the values and ethics in generalist practice.

The second in a sequence of two direct practice methods courses grounded in the generalist model of social work practice. Applies knowledge, skills and values in working with families and groups. Interprets human behavior within the context of a family’s or group’s culture, ethnicity, worldview, strengths, developmental stages and challenges within a systems theory framework. Develops practice skills and methods for engaging, assessing, intervening and evaluating with families and groups. Prerequisite: SOWK 550

This course is a macro methods course grounded in the generalist model of macro social work practice. Students examine perspectives and structures of community and organizations, focusing on oppression, discrimination, poverty, marginalization, alienation, factors of diversity and difference as well as sources of privilege and power as they impact social well-being. The application of planned change processes at the community and organizational levels in response to changing contexts and needs to promote social and economic justice, and to advance the equitable distribution of basic human rights and resources is emphasized.

This course will examine the issues of diversity, oppression and social justice. It is designed to prepare social work students to be knowledgeable of people’s biases based on race, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, social and economic status, political ideology, disability and how these contribute to discrimination and oppression. Students will learn about diverse cultures, family structure, roles, immigration, and assimilation experiences of marginalized groups. Students will also learn about the influence of dominant culture on these diverse and marginalized (populations at-risk) groups.

This is the field education component involving 200 clock hours per term of direct service taken concurrently with SOWK 550. As “the signature pedagogy” of social work education, directed application of knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive affective processes of generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes is implemented. Refines skills to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate within the profession’s values and ethics. Provides a structured learning opportunity to integrate theory and practice in the role of social work practitioner. Co-requisites: SOWK 5500. Formal admission to the Social Work program is required.

This is the field education component involving 200 clock hours per term of direct service taken concurrently with SOWK 5510. As “the signature pedagogy” of social work education, directed application of knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive affective processes of generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes is implemented. Refines skills to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate within the profession’s values and ethics. Provides a structured learning opportunity to integrate theory and practice in the role of social work practitioner. Prerequisite: SOWK 580 Co-requisites: SOWK 5510