Courses in the Social Work Major

The B.S.W. degree program is intended for students who want to prepare for a career of Christian service as a professional social worker. The social work major consists of 12 courses (47 semester hours) and several required core courses. The courses in the major are:

240 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare . F and S (3 hours). An introduction to the profession of social work and the field of social welfare.  Attention is given to the development of social welfare as a social institution, including the development of philosophies, values, and attitudes which influence the theory, policy, and practice of social work.  Practice settings, professional roles, and value and ethical issues are also considered to increase awareness of the profession and aid students in considering social work as a career.
(This course has no prerequisites and is typically taken in the student's first year or sophomore year.)

250 Diversity and Inequality in the U.S. F and S (3 hours).   An analysis of the social structure of diversity and the social processes of inequality in contemporary North American society.  The major objectives of the course are to study the interrelationships of gender, race, and class and to develop an understanding of current social conditions through inclusive analysis of gender, race-ethnic, and class relations.  Emphasis is placed on patterns and consequences of discrimination and oppression. 
(This course has no prerequisites and is typically taken in the student's first year or sophomore year.)

255 Social Science Statistics . F and S (4 hours). An introduction to statistics and computer applications in sociology and social work.  Concepts and procedures taught include levels of measurement, measures of central tendency, correlation techniques, probability theory, and hypothesis tests.  Prerequisite:  an introductory course in one of the social sciences.
(Students normally take this course in the second semester sophomore or junior year. Note: counts as core for Mathematics category)

320 Social Research . F and S (3 hours). An assessment of the nature of the research process as applied to the study of theoretical problems in social science.  Students are guided in designing and conducting a research project, involving definition of the problem, consideration of appropriate methods, and the collection and analysis of data.  Prerequisites:  Sociology 151, SOWK 240, 255. 
(Junior level)

350 Human Behavior and the Social Environment . F and S (4 hours). A study of the person in her/his environment using a systems model of human behavior.  Knowledge about persons as biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual creatures is integrated as the "person" is followed through the life cycle.  Theoretical frameworks from prerequisite courses are integrated to enable students to assess micro and macro influences on human behavior.  Prerequisites: Biology core, English 101, Soc 151, Psych 151, SOWK 240, 250.
(Second semester sophomore or junior level)

360 Social Welfare Policy Analysis . F and S (3 hours). A value-critical analysis and evaluation of social welfare policies and programs as responses to defined social problems in their historical, political, and economic contexts.  Students examine the role of the direct provider of social services as a policy practitioner.  Prerequisites:  History core, SSNA core and cognate, SOWK 240. 
(Junior level)

370 The Helping Interview . F and S (3 hours). A course to teach students the basic skills necessary to conduct a helping interview.  Students participate in videotaped role plays.  The course also contains contextual material about ethical issues, a Christian view of relationship and interviewing, and interviewing people from different backgrounds.  Prerequisites: SOWK 240 and 350 (or concurrent enrollment with 350).
(Junior level)

371 Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups . F (4 hours). 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, families, and groups.  Special attention is given to working with clients from different backgrounds.   Prerequisites: SOWK 320, 350, 360, and 370
(Senior level)

372 Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities . F and S (3 hours). A study of generalist social work practice skills, interventions, and issues with organizations and communities.  Prerequisite: SOWK 320, 350, 360, 370.
(Second semester junior or senior level)

373 Vulnerable Populations:  Programs, Policies, and Practice .  F and S (3 hours).  This course integrates social welfare policies and generalist practice skills relevant to serving groups which are economically or otherwise at risk.  Prerequisite content in human diversity, policy, and practice is used to teach current programs intended to meet the needs of groups such as abused children and their families, the frail elderly, and the persistently mentally ill.  The course emphasizes how these approaches draw on several support systems including the family, community organizations, and state and federal resources.  Prerequisites:  SOWK 360
(Senior level)

380/381 Social Work Practicum and Integrative Seminar .  F, I, and S (14 hours).  Students are placed in a community agency (minimum of 400 hours) under the supervision of a professional social worker.  Students engage in several social work roles and activities to continue to develop generalist practice skills and knowledge.  A weekly integrative on-campus seminar (1 hours) and interim seminar course (4 hours) is also required (SOWK 381). The seminar requires students to integrate the liberal arts core, the content of courses in the social work major, and the practicum experience.  Students draw on core concepts and principles from the profession and from Christian faith as they discuss issues associated with professional role and identity.  Prerequisites: Admission to the B.S.W. program, satisfactory completion of the practicum admission process, and previous or concurrent enrollment in 371.
(Senior level)

Core Requirements and Model Program

The core course requirements for the B.S.W. are noted below. If no specific course is noted for a category, students are free to select from the catalog choices for that category.

Prelude: IDIS 149
Gateway: IDIS 50/150
Written Rhetoric: English 101
Research and Information Technology: RIT 110
Rhetoric in Culture: one course
Health and Fitness: three one-hour courses
Foreign Language: completion through the 123 or 202 level; Spanish encouraged
History of the West and the World: HIST 151 or 152 Philosophical Foundations: PHIL 153
Biblical or Theological Foundations I: REL 121 or 131
Biblical or Theological Foundations II: one course (note: must do crossover)
Persons in Community: PSYC 151 and SOWK 250
Societal Structures in N. America : SOC 151 and one additional course; recommend students take this course from Political Science or Economics SSNA category choices.
Literature: one course
Global and Historical Studies: one course
The Arts: one course
Mathematics: SOWK 255
Living World: BIOL 115
Cross-Cultural Engagement: met through successful completion of the BSW program
Capstone: SOWK 381

The various core requirements and social work major courses required for a B.S.W. degree have been combined into the following model B.S.W. program: