Course Archive, Graduate
Social Work
SOW 5105+
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3)
This course focuses on reciprocal relationships between human behavior and social environments. Content includes empirically-based theories and knowledge that focus on the interactions between and among systems of all sizes, including individuals, groups, societies, and economic systems. Theories and knowledge of biological, psychological, sociological, cultural, and spiritual development across the life span are critiqued, especially as they relate to populations at risk. In addition, theories and knowledge about the range of social systems (individual, family, group, organizational, and community) in which people live are examined, including the ways social systems promote or deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being.
SOW 5125+
Psychopathology in Clinical Practice (3)
This course provides an overview of mental health assessment and diagnostic tools, including the Diagnostic Statistical Manual categories, and touches on treatment strategies and techniques. Building on the knowledge base acquired in the foundation course, SOW 5105, this course examines the relationship between the biological, psychological, social, environmental, and cultural influences and emotional and mental health from an ecological context. Particular attention is given to variations in the assessment process and access to treatment for populations at social and economic risk. In addition, students examine the political and social implications of mental health and their relations to social work values and ethics.
SOW 5235+
Policies and Programs in Social Services (3)
The course provides an initial opportunity to investigate the relationships among individual and collective social welfare and public policy in American society from a social work perspective, with emphasis placed on understanding these relationships in terms of social and economic justice. Particular attention is paid to acquisition of skills necessary to engage in policy advocacy and formulation consistent with social work values and ethics, fostering an appreciation for the roles played by social workers in the development of the American welfare state, and reviewing the history of the social work profession.
SOW 5308+
Social Work Practice (3)
This course provides students with an understanding of the social work profession's history, mission, values, ethics, and roles. Content on generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities is covered, and attention is given to working with ethnic minorities, women, gays and lesbians, and disabled people.
SOW 5324+
Group Treatment in Social Work Practice (3)
This course is an advanced practice class in the clinical concentration. It examines theoretical foundations and practice techniques of group treatment models. General topics include group purpose, composition, and dynamics; leadership development; stages of group development; evaluation; and the ethical aspects of group work.
SOW 5335+
Theories and Models of Social Work Practice (3)
This class introduces students to a range of theories and models of social work practice within an ecological systems framework. The empirical bases of each theory and model are examined, along with applications to generalist social work practice with various size systems. Attention is given to how theories and models incorporate working with ethnic minorities, women, gays and lesbians, and disabled people.
SOW 5345
Advanced Social Services Administration (3)
This course examines theories of administrative practice and provides skill development in executive leadership, decision-making, strategic planning, and client-centered management. This course adopts a problem-solving approach and exposes students to a variety of complex issues present in the operation and management of social services entities. This course is taught from an interdisciplinary perspective so that students may fully explore the underlying ethical, social, legal, psychological, and political dynamics present when policy must be put into practice.
SOW 5349+
Social Networking and Case Management in Social Work (3)
This course examines the history, theoretical underpinnings, and strategies of case management in various service delivery systems. Contemporary issues and implications that impact the practice environment are highlighted. General topics include critical skills in assessment, formal and informal linkage, counseling and consultation, advocacy, mediation and conflict resolution, and monitoring and evaluation. Students apply critical thinking skills and utilize evidence-based practice approaches in case management settings.
SOW 5367+
Theories and Practice of Crisis Intervention (3)
This course introduces students to the theoretical foundations and practice models of crisis intervention and other forms of brief treatment.
SOW 5369+
Integrative Seminar in Advanced Social Work Practice (3)
Corequisite: SOW 5353. This course integrates theoretical models and concepts with practice gained in internships. The course utilizes an ecosystems perspective, focusing on the dynamic interaction between the individual, family, communities, organizations, and other social systems. A major focus is on the social worker's role in responding effectively to the challenges of working with these systems and exploring their own personal views of such issues as ethics, gender, ethnic minorities, gays, lesbians, and disabled people.
SOW 5376
Budgeting and Finances in Social Services (3)
This course emphasizes the political and technical skills of budgeting and financial management, source development via grant writing and fundraising, government contracting, fiscal reporting, and payroll management.
SOW 5377
Personnel Administration in the Social Services (3)
This course develops students' skills in personnel management in human service organizations to ensure effective service delivery to clients. Attention is given to staff management approaches, staff supervision, employee recruitment and retention, motivation, job design, staff development, and issues of diversity.
SOW 5404+
Introduction to Social Work Research (3)
This course introduces students to qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to provide an understanding of a scientific, analytic, and ethical approach to building knowledge for practice. Students' mastery of course content prepares them to develop, use, and effectively communicate empirically-based knowledge. Research knowledge is used by students to provide high-quality services; to initiate change; to improve practice, policy, and social service delivery; and to evaluate their own practice from an evidence-based perspective.
SOW 5432+
Evaluation of Social Work Practice (3)
Prerequisite: SOW 5404. Major emphasis is given to the use of single systems designs in client assessment and evaluation. Students consider the philosophical and ethical aspects of an evaluative approach to treatment and examine the policy implications of professional participation (or lack thereof) in evaluation processes. Topics include the operational "diagnosis" of client problems; measurement and monitoring of symptoms, goals, and interventions; and analysis, interpretation, and reporting of case material for accountable social work practice. Issues of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability are explored through application of course content to appropriate case examples.
SOW 5455
Grant Writing and Grant Management (3)
While funding agencies have their own guidelines, there are some commonalities among grant proposals. This course covers the basics of proposals: purpose statements, background and justification, aims or objectives, personnel, time line, methods, budget, evaluation, and how to effectively manage grants once they are funded. Particularly in the public and not-for-profit sectors, grants may be necessary to expand the type or number of resources available to clients; therefore, grant writing is related to social work objectives that stress access to and availability of resources. The needs of disenfranchised groups or communities are discussed in this course, along with the particulars of proposals that may be most effective in meeting such needs.
SOW 5532r
Graduate Field Instruction I (5–10)
(S/U grade only)
Prerequisite: SOW 5308
This course is required for first-year graduate students and taken concurrently with course work. Students are provided with a supervised generalist social work practice experience in a variety of settings. May be repeated to a maximum of ten (10) semester hours.
SOW 5535r
Graduate Field Instruction II (6–12)
(S/U grade only)
This course is required for advanced graduate students and taken concurrently with Advanced Seminar in Social Work Practice. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
SOW 5603+
Social Work in Health Settings (3)
This course focuses on social work practice in health settings from a "person-in-environment" perspective, preparing students with an understanding of the roles that social workers play in health settings; the structure of health care delivery systems; organizational and professional ethics and standards; challenges we face in health care policy; patient issues and how to help to address these issues. Specific knowledge and skills in a health care setting are addressed, including biopsychosocial assessments, chart documentation, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
SOW 5611+
Family Counseling in Social Work (3)
This course introduces students to various theoretical models of family counseling and presents assessment and intervention strategies and techniques.
SOW 5614+
Family Violence Across the Life Span (3)
This course, looking at violence across the life span, provides an ecological perspective emphasizing the interconnections between individuals experiencing violence and their social environments. Emphasis is placed upon broad coverage of all-important aspects of child abuse, incest, intimate partner violence, rape, and elder abuse. This course is appropriate for students who wish to gain skill in detecting and responding to incest situations for clients, sexual assault survivors, and victims of intimate partner violence or elder abuse.
SOW 5655+
Social Work with Children and Adolescents (3)
Students in this course increase knowledge and understanding essential for effective therapeutic interventions in the psychological and behavioral disorders of children and develop special skills in selected intervention techniques and modalities in working with children in a variety of professional roles.
SOW 5659+
Mental Health and Child Welfare (3)
This course provides students with knowledge and skills related to the theory, research, and implications of child and adolescent maltreatment for child development and psychopathology. Course content is presented within the context of child welfare practice and social work with children and adolescents in public agencies and programs. Particular attention is given to common psychological disorders that result from maltreatment and accompanying treatment issues. Issues related to individuals, families, groups, and communities are covered, and attention is given to working with ethnic minorities, women, gays and lesbians, and persons with disabilities.
SOW 5712+
Chemical Dependency Problems and Programs (3)
This course includes discussions, readings, lectures, and audiovisual materials on all the major drugs, including alcohol, opiates, stimulants, sedatives, hallucinogens, inhalants, and nicotine. We cover the etiology and epidemiology of drug abuse, physiological and behavioral consequences of drug abuse, treatment approaches, and major policies and programs. Special attention is directed toward drug abuse in special populations, such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. We also spend a considerable amount of time discussing social work with involuntary clients, since most persons receiving treatment for chemical dependency probably fall into this category. A systems perspective is used to relate drug-using behavior to family, community, and social systems.
SOW 5745+
Seminar on Loss and Bereavement (3)
This course is for students who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of issues around loss, bereavement, dying, and death, and how we can live life to the fullest while addressing these challenges both personally and with our clients. The primary focus is on six topics: 1) theories of loss and grief; 2) personal feelings, fears, and expectations of the inevitable; 3) death and dying rituals from a cross-cultural perspective; 4) responses to loss and bereavement throughout the life cycle; 5) understanding different bereavement situations, such as suicide, SIDS, etc.; and 6) assessment and intervention strategies with individuals, families, and groups.
SOW 5785
International Social Work and Social Welfare (3)
SOW 5938r+
Social Work Seminars: Selected Topics (3)
Examples of topics covered: diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders, living with aids, family violence across the life span, and mind, body and healing. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours as topics change.
