Department of Social Work Course Descriptions

SOWK 0145. INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES. 1st and 2nd Semesters. Lecture. 1, 1 credit. This course is designed to introduce students to 聽 聽the profession of Social Work and to the human services field in general. It presents an integration of Social Work both as a field and a method. In addition it seeks to show how Social Work helps people to solve problems in social functioning and to strengthen their social relationships. The fields of social welfare and Social Work are described and exemplified with cases.

SOWK 0235. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I. 1st and 2nd Semesters. Lecture. 3, 3 credits. Prerequisite: Psychology 270. This is a two- semester course designed to develop in the student knowledge of the inter-relationship of biological, psychological, and social contributions of human growth and adaptation. Social factors such as ethnicity, gender, and culture are emphasized.

SOWK 0236. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II. 1st and 2nd Semesters. Lecture. 3, 3 credits. The focus of the second semester is on behavior patterns that are at the dysfunctional or "pathological" end of the continuum. All behavior is viewed within a soci systems concept. The implications of trauma, separation, loss, discrimination and handicap are introduced to highlight the ramifications of specific stressors, at particular points in the life cycle of the individual and family. Computer based multimedia techniques are used to enhance instruction in DSM-IV. Prerequisite: SOWK 0235.

SOWK 0245. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE. 1st and 2nd Semesters. Lecture. 3, 3 credits. Students develop a philosophical and historical perspective of welfare services and Social Work practice. Provide students with the beginning ability to analyze and evaluate social welfare services and programs particularly as they affect African Americans individuals, families and communities. Issues in political economy are explored.

SOWK 0300. COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. 1st and 2nd Semesters. Lecture. 聽3, 3 credits. No prerequisites. Provides hands on introduction to real-world computer applications in the social and behavioral sciences: Word-processing, spreadsheets, management information systems, data base systems, and statistical analysis (SPSS). Data analysis is emphasized. Students work on a local area network and the Internet.

SOWK 0301. RESEARCH IN THE HUMAN SERVICES. 2nd Semester, 3 credits. Theories, methodologies, and materials used in social science research and applied social research. The focus is on the design of research. A field project is planned.

SOWK 0354. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS LABORATORY. 1st and 2nd Semesters. 3 credits. Interpersonal skills consist of the behaviors (verbal and non-verbal) which are necessary for individuals to establish and maintain relationships with one another. Even though the skills covered in this course are meant to enhance the helping relationship, they are also relevant for other types of human relationships such as the supervisor/supervise relationship, business relationships, relationships in work groups, peer and friendship relationships, and 聽 聽so on. The skills form a foundation for interviewing techniques and for providing therapeutic assistance for clients and or patients. This course also provides an opportunity for students to enhance their self-esteem and assertiveness as young men and women and as beginning professionals. In addition to lectures and readings, this course utilizes in-class exercises and role-plays with audio-videotape feedback. Computer Monitored Instruction (CMI) is also used. Students are expected to make regular entries in a personal journal and to try out and practice the interpersonal skills in real-life situations.

*NOTE: (FORMAL ADMISSION TO THE SOCIAL WORK MAJOR IS REQUIRED FOR THE NEXT 6 COURSES)

SOWK 0355. METHODS OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I. 1st Semester, Summer. Lect. 3, 3 credits. This course is designed to prepare the student for generalist practice. It provides a problem-solving, task-oriented approach, to working with individuals, families and communities. The course provides the student with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and competence needed for intervention at the beginning professional level. All aspects of this course emphasize the development of self-awareness and the acquisition of appropriate attitudes and values for enabling individuals, families and communities to reach their potential. Special attention is given to understanding cultural subgroups. Students are introduced to interviewing as a social work technique. Prerequisite: SOWK 0236 and 0245.

SOWK 0364. JUNIOR PRACTICUM SEMINAR. 2nd Semester, Summer. 0 credits. Meets for three hours per week; taken concurrently with SOWK 0365.

SOWK 0365. JUNIOR PRACTICUM. 2nd Semester, Summer. Field 3, 3 credits. Precursor to the Senior Internship. The junior practicum is an introductory internship experience. Professional field instruction for 100 clock hours, with weekly guidance and agency supervision, are required in a community social welfare agency. Regular seminar meetings are required. Prerequisite: SOWK 0355.

SOWK 0366. METHODS OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II. 2nd Semester, Summer, 3 credits. (Taken concurrently with SOWK 0365) This course emphasizes and reinforces professional self management, principles and practice of interviewing, relationship building, problem solving, and the use of organizational structure.

SOWK 0445. SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY. 1st and 2nd Semesters. Lect. 3, 3 credits. This course is designed to enable the student to apply knowledge gained in SOWK 0245 toward skill in the analysis of policy and programs. Policy analysis as science-based art and technology will be explored. Reference will be made to other societies, and examples will be provided from various ethnic and cultural groups, with emphasis on the State of Alabama. Prerequisite: SOWK 0465.

SOWK 0464. Senior Internship Seminar. 1st Semester, Summer. 0 credits. Meets for three hours per week; taken concurrently with SOWK 0465.

SOWK 0465. SENIOR INTERNSHIP. 1st Semester, Summer. 12 credits. Professional field instruction for 400 clock hours, with weekly faculty guidance and agency supervision. The student is responsible for a minimum of five individual clients, one direct service group, and one program development activity. Learning contracts, social histories, and weekly logs are required. Prerequisite: SOWK 0365

SOWK 0466. SENIOR SEMINAR. 1st and 2nd Semesters. 1 credit. A Living-learning seminar that emphasizes the role of the student as a professional learner. Experiences in the senior internship are analyzed and connected to professional goals and ethics. Role plays, program designs, taped client sessions, and a major paper is developed for formal presentation. Prerequisite: SOWK 0465

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