Social Work Courses
SOWK201. Soc Wlfr Soc & Field of SWK
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of social work. As a discipline social work strives to improve the lives of people whether at the individual, family, group or societal level through services offered via the social welfare system. This course is designed to teach students to evaluate cultural norms, societal institutions, and implicit and explicit assumptions about themselves through the lens of social work practice. The course will also provide students with an introduction to the historic development of social work and social welfare and its relationship to effective provision of intervention services. 3 credit hours.
SOWK201. Soc Wlfr Soc & Field of SWK
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of social work. As a discipline social work strives to improve the lives of people whether at the individual, family, group or societal level through services offered via the social welfare system. This course is designed to teach students to evaluate cultural norms, societal institutions, and implicit and explicit assumptions about themselves through the lens of social work practice. The course will also provide students with an introduction to the historic development of social work and social welfare and its relationship to effective provision of intervention services. 3 credit hours.
SOWK215. Global Social Work
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to practice and policy aspects of global Social Work. From a strengths perspective, biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors will be considered as they relate to global Social Work. The inquiring, attentive student should emerge from the course with more questions than answers but a determination to keep seeking knowledge on the nature of global Social Work and unique individual and cultural differences. For learning to take place, there must be online class discussion and tolerance for our differences. 3 credits.
SOWK230. Social Work and Addiction
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to practice and policy aspects of addiction counseling. From a strengths perspective, biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors will be considered as they relate to addiction. The inquiring, attentive student should emerge from the course with more questions than answers but a determination to keep seeking knowledge on the nature of addiction and unique individual and cultural differences. 3 credits.
SOWK250. Spirituality and Social Work
This elective course will provide a framework of knowledge, skills and values to students in assisting people from diverse spiritual backgrounds. Students will examine how spirituality plays a role in the micro and macro level of social work and will develop skills to respond competently with individuals, organizations and communities. A variety of instructional methods and media will be used in this course to illustrate the material. Methods and media include lectures, overhead slides and PowerPoint presentations, film and video, small group activities, and role plays. 3 credits.
SOWK295. Special Topics Social Work
The topics will vary from semester to semester. Descriptions will be available from academic advisors. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits.
SOWK2XX. Social Work Elective
SOWK300. Soc Problems & Dev Social Pol
The development of social policies in response to social problems is examined with a special emphasis on the impact of social injustices. The history of the relationship between social work practice and social policy development is explored. Students are encouraged to view social policy practice as a viable and bona fide multi system social work practice intervention. Analytic skills, interactional skills, political skills, and value-clarifying skills are primary skill areas that students build on in preparation for policy analysis and development. Prerequisite: SOWK 201. 3 credits.
SOWK301. Human Behavior Social Envmt I
Using the general systems approach, the student will develop a multi-level perspective of human behavior in the areas of personality development and self-concept in the context of community and organizational systems, group processes, personal change dynamics, family systems, and life cycles. Concurrent focus is placed on the relevancy of the theory base. Integrated into this course as well is content on human diversity and populations at risk, a strengths perspective, and the values and ethics of social work practice. Prerequisites: SOCL 101 or SOCL 102. 3 credits.
SOWK302. Human Behavior Social Envmt
One part of a two part foundation course which applies a multi dimensional perspective in an examination of human behavior across the life span and in terms of biological, social and psychological processes. This course primarily emphasizes models and theories of human behavior in families, groups, organizations, institutions and communities, all from an ecological and systems perspective. Integrated into this course as well is content on human diversity and populations at risk, a strengths perspective, and the values and ethics of social work practice. Prerequisite: SOCL 101, SOCL 102, or SOCL 105. 3 credits.
SOWK305. Social Work Older Americans
This course will explore the diverse mandates for social welfare services and for the providers of these services, especially professional social workers. In addition, the course will provide an overview of the aging process and how it impacts the individual, family, and ultimately society. Further, the course will examine the interface between older Americans and social problems, social policies and the rights of older Americans. 3 credits.
SOWK306. Mental Health and Social Work
Social work is one of the leading careers in mental health research and treatment. Therefore, this course will focus on key features of some of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the United States. The course will focus on signs and symptoms of various common mental health disorders, treatment modalities and mental health services available, and the values, ethics, and cultural implications of intervening in mental health from a social work perspective. The course will also address the students’ ability to assess how the diagnosis is affecting a person on a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework and develop the students’ skills in working with children and adults in short and long term mental health care settings. Pre-requisites: HBSI 100, SOCL 105 or SOWK 325. 3 credits.
SOWK315. SOWK in Educ Setting
The purpose of this course is to present knowledge and critical skills for analyzing educational programs and policies for preschool, elementary, and secondary schools functioning under public and private auspices. The course is designed to offer a unique focus on evidence-based interventions, critical thinking, and diversity. The course is designed for hands-on experiences, best practice, and case examples to allow students to see assessments and techniques in action and increase their understanding of working in a school environment.
SOWK320. Intro to Social Work Research
Students will learn and apply the fundamental principles and practices of social science research in the context of the social work profession, social work policy and social work practice. Students will address issues and practices related to the development, production, consumption, and disseminating of research in terms empirically based knowledge and evidence-based interventions, social work ethics and values, and in consideration of human diversity and populations at risk. Prerequisite: MATH 171 or other approved statistics course. 3 credits.
SOWK325. Human Div:Populations-at-Risk
This course will explore various conceptual frameworks for understanding human diversity with a special emphasis on understanding how one’s self will undergird the identification and study of populations-at-risk in society. In addition, the dynamics of social injustices and its impact on diverse groups in society are explored. Students will develop culturally competent skills to provide social services to diverse clientele at multilevel systems. Prerequisite: SOCL 105. PHBS, SI. 3 credits.
SOWK330. Methods:Prac I Ind & Families
A generalist model of practice is presented which emphasizes a problem-solving approach toward assisting clients/consumers of social work services. The primary framework discussed in this course will be theories employing a generalist social work model. Content area required by CSWE is included and focuses on issues of diversity, populations-at-risk, social and economic justice, and social work values and ethics. Along with SOWK 425 and SOWK 430, this course builds theoretical and practice knowledge, skills, and values, which are used to assist individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in a wide range of social welfare/human services settings. Prerequisites: SOWK 301. Must be at least Junior status with a minimum of 56 credits. Co-or prerequisite: SOWK 302. 4 credits.
SOWK337. Family & Child Serv
Major concepts of family and child welfare are presented and trends in relevant policy, services and practice skills related to supportive, supplemental and substitutive programs are analyzed. 3 credits.
SOWK350. Soc Wk Stdy Abrd -Ghana
A study of global issues focusing on social matters affecting the Global Western Africa (Ghana); using a strength’s perspective, biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors will be considered as they relate to Global Social Work. Issues to be examined will include globalization, slavery, Pan-Africanism, individual and structural racism, imperialism, identity development (American/individual), race and ethnicity. The history and development of these issues, how culture of individual countries or regions affect the development and response, as well as future possibilities for resolution will be examined. Students will learn about the country and region’s geography, economy, political institutions, participate in social service programming, understand the importance of religion in the culture, and social issues, with an important theme on how race has impacted the state of Ghana. 3 credits.
SOWK362. Social Work with Children
This course is designed to provide undergraduate social work students with the knowledge and beginning skills needed to work with children as a generalist social worker in multiple human service settings. This is a practice course that explores the strengths and needs of children from a systems and risk/resilience perspective, with emphasis on collaboration. A special emphasis is given to populations at-risk and ethical considerations in working with children. 3 credit hours.
SOWK390. Directed Study
Must be approved by the head of the department. May be repeated as 391. 1-18 credits.
SOWK392. Jr Internship Social Work
SOWK 392 Course Description: This course is intended to extrapolate and build from the Methods 1 practice course beginning level practice skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The purpose of this course is to reinforce students’ identification with the purpose, values, and ethics of the social work profession through experiential learning in an assigned social work related agency. Field education is systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated on the basis of the CSWE competencies and by which students demonstrate the achievement of program objectives. Prerequisite: SOWK 330 6 credits.
SOWK412. Leadership/Professional Dvlpmt
This course will provide knowledge, ethics and values and skills involved in organizational leadership in social work practice. The focus will be on the theoretical perspectives, functions and structures, leadership styles, techniques and skills and ethical and value-driven leadership needed in the field of social work. In addition, this course will provide skills in professional development to prepare for entry level generalist social work practice. Prerequisite: SOWK 392. 3 credit hours.
SOWK425. Methods Prac II SOWK Groups
Students will develop theoretical and practice knowledge and skills regarding group practice in various human service settings and contexts. Students will integrate an eco-systems perspective, knowledge, and skills regarding social work ethics and values, principles of human diversity, social justice, populations at risk, and a strengths perspective. This course will review and apply different theoretical approaches and practice methods to social work with various kinds of small groups, including therapy or counseling groups, socialization and education groups, support and self-help groups, various task groups and social action groups. Emphasis is placed on the role of social work practice with groups in the promotion of well-being and optimal functioning. Prerequisites: SOWK 330. 4 credits.
SOWK430. Methods Pra III Comm Organiza
This course introduces theories and concepts for socially and culturally competent social work practice in communities and organizations. Students will examine the roles of communities and organizations within and beyond the context of traditional social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations and large systems. Students will integrate social work's historical and contemporary emphasis on empowerment, a strengths perspective, human and cultural diversity, populations at risk, and the values and ethics of social work practice. Political action, advocacy, and related collaborative approaches for building and strengthening communities, neighborhoods, and organizations will be stressed. Prerequisite: SOWK 392. 4 credits.
SOWK461. Social Work Seminar
A series of topical lectures, presentations and discussions concerning areas of current concern to practitioners in a variety of welfare settings. Emphasis is placed on practice related material and the involvement of practitioners from local agencies is encouraged. 1-3 credits.
SOWK462. Deliver Hospice Care
A skills approach to the provision of hospice care to the terminally ill. Physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs unique to this client population will be presented. 1 credit.
SOWK490. Dir Study Social Work
Must be approved by the head of the department. May be repeated. 1-18 credits.
SOWK492. Sr Internship Social Work
This course is intended to extrapolate and build from Junior Field Instruction beginning level practice skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The purpose of this course is to reinforce students’ identification with the purpose, values, and ethics of the social work profession through experiential learning in an assigned social work related agency. Field education is systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated on the basis of the CSWE competencies and by which students demonstrate the achievement of program objectives. Prerequisite classes include: SOWK 330, 425, and 430 with a 2.30 GPA average overall.
SOWK495. Special Topics Social Work
Selected topics in Social Work. The topics will vary from semester to semester. Descriptions will be available from academic advisors. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits.
SOWK498. Senior Thesis in Social Work
Students conduct an in-depth project in social work under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. May be repeated as 499. 3 credits.
SOWK499. Senior Thesis in Social Work
Students conduct an in-depth project in social work under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. 3 credits.