WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2019-2020 : School of Professional Studies

Social Work

SW 200 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare Services 3 SH
This course is designed to introduce students to the social work profession and the wide spectrum of social welfare services in their context for practice: public, non-profit and proprietary settings. It offers the students an introduction to the competencies which underlie the practice of social work. The generalist model of social work practice will be used as a framework for teaching and learning. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Competency: Writing Intensive Tier 2.

SW 210 Social Welfare as an Institution 3 SH
This course, which is the first in a two-part social policy sequence, provides a historical and analytical assessment of social welfare as an institution, using a framework of social theories and definition of social welfare conditions, policy goals, program design, and service delivery. It examines contexts for practice in ways to advance human rights and social and economic justice. The functions of social work as a profession are explored in areas such as income security, family and children’s services, and health care services. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Competency: Critical Thinking.

SW 211 Mental Health and Social Work: A Survey Course 3 SH
This course is designed to provide an overview of the history of mental health in the United States and the unique yet broad role of the social work profession. Relevant social and governmental agencies and polices as well as the importance of advocacy will be studied. The course will include focus on the impact of cultural and social norms and expectations on those who have been identified as well as their families, the role of the media in the general population’s understanding of mental health, an overview of assessment and diagnosis and a discussion of special populations. This is a survey course, meant to provide a foundation for work as a generalist social worker or future clinical study at the graduate level. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW 215 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 SH
The focus of this course is on conceptual frameworks that explain the interrelatedness of genetic, biological, emotional, societal, and environmental conditions. This course also examines the factors that foster or impede social functioning and their effects on individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations and society. Prerequisite: SOC 100, and BIO 100 or BIO 132, or permission of department chair.

SW 220 Cultural Diversity 3 SH
Emphasizing the Connecticut region, this course analyzes and develops an understanding of how to engage human diversity and difference in professional practice.  Emphases are on recognizing societal structures that shape life experiences and on deepening knowledge of self and of others, sometimes using experiential exercises.  Prerequisite: SOC 100 or permission of department chair. Priority given to SW and HPX/Health Promotion Studies option majors. Competency: Intercultural.

SW 245 Child Welfare: Theory and Practice 3 SH
This course is designed to provide a practice model which is family focused and child centered for helping families at risk. The course examines the complex interplay of policy and law as they affect practice and service delivery. The course is grounded in ecological approaches, cultural competency, principles of family continuity, and the historic values of the social work profession. This course is an elective course for social work majors who have successfully completed SW 200 and SW 210 or the have the permission of the course instructor.  Prerequisite: SW 200 and 210.

SW 250 AIDS: A Social Work Perspective 3 SH
This course will provide students with information about the HIV/AIDS epidemic: biological aspects and the medical, psychosocial, and ethical/legal responses to the disease; understanding of current local, state and federal policy laws affecting medical and social services; regional resources available to persons living with HIV/AIDS. The course will also provide the opportunity for students to address their own concerns, to clarify values positions, to understand the impact of HIV/AIDS on those in the primary client’s social network, and to begin developing analytic and interaction skills necessary to work directly with, or to advocate on behalf of, persons living with HIV/AIDS. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW/SOC 260 Aging 3 SH
This course provides an introduction to gerontology, focusing on the physical, psychological, social, emotional, and environmental aspects of aging. It also provides an overview of social policies and issues affecting older persons and social programs for older persons. Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW 270W Writing for the Human Service and Health Care Professions 3 SH
This writing intensive (W) course is designed for students intending to pursue a professional career in such fields as social work, education, nursing, and other health services. Using a writing-to-learn approach, students will respond in writing to a range of texts from across disciplines and genres in order to deepen their understanding, exercise critical thinking, and enhance clarity of written communication in the human service and health care professions. The class may make use of shared writing and reading, small group exercises, and other peer reading and responses. All readings and exercises will reflect professional values and concerns. Prerequisite: WRT 101 or permission of the instructor.

SW 298 Faculty Developed Study 3 SH

SW 299 Student Developed Study 3 SH

SW 300 Social Work Research 3 SH
This course introduces students to research concepts and skills relevant to generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes. The purpose of this course is to prepare generalist social workers to use social work practice experiences to inform scientific inquiry, including: reading, interpreting, evaluating, and generating social work research and knowledge; and to use research to inform social work practice.  Prerequisite: SW 200 and MAT 100. Open only to Social Work majors. Competency: Information Literacy and Scientific Inquiry.

SW 305 Social Work Junior Field Practicum 2 SH
This 13-week, 104-hour supervised field practicum provides students with an agency-based, generalist social work practice experience that begins to develop social work competencies. Prerequisite: PSY 100 with a minimum grade of C+ and acceptance to Junior standing in the major. Corequisite: SW 306 and SW 309. This course requires registration permission of the Department of Social Work chair. Spring semester.

SW 306 Social Work Junior Field Practicum & Seminar 3 SH
This is the first field experience in a social service agency. The field practicum is for 8 hours per week over a period of 13 weeks, with a required one hour weekly seminar. This seminar is designed to provide students with an opportunity to conceptualize and evaluate their developing competencies, participate in collaborative peer learning, and integrate the field experience with the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of generalist social work practice. Requirements: acceptance to Junior Standing in the major. Co-requisites: SW 306 and SW 309. This course requires registration permission of the Department of Social Work Chair. Spring Semester.and acceptance to Junior Standing in the major.

SW 309 Social Work Practice I 3 SH
Utilizing the conceptual frameworks of generalist social work practice, this course emphasizes competencies in engagement and beginning assessment, and values and ethics of the profession.  Professional identity is also emphasized. Prerequisite: PSY 100 with a minimum grade of C+ and acceptance in Junior standing in the major. Corequisite: SW 305 and SW 306. This course requires registration permission of the Department of Social Work Chair. Spring semester.

SW 310 Social Work Practice II 3 SH
This course is a continuation of SW 309. Emphasis is on generalist social work practice competencies in assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, families, and groups.  Models of intervention with diverse client systems and in varied social systems are also emphasized.  Students’ professional identity is enhanced.  Prerequisite: SW 309 and acceptance in Senior standing in the major. Corequisite: SW 315 and SW 320. Fall semester.

SW 311 Social Work Practice III 3 SH
This course is a continuation of SW 310. This course emphasizes generalist social work competencies in assessment, intervention, and evaluation with task groups, communities, and organizations.  The interrelationships among social work practice, social work research and social policies are highlighted, as are the professional responsibilities to contribute to social work practice, to work toward promoting social and economic justice, and ending oppression. Professional use of self with diverse client systems and with changing organizations is expanded. Prerequisite: SW 310 and SW 320. Corequisite: SW 316 and SW 321. Spring semester.

SW 315 Community Organizing Project I 2 SH
The Community Organizing Project two-course sequence is designed to provide an opportunity for students to gain supervised macro level practice experience while addressing an issue of concern on campus or in the community. Students conceptualize community organizing, while applying generalist models of practice. Emphasis is on preparing for action with groups, organizations and communities; using interpersonal skills in large groups; developing mutually agreed on foci of work and desired outcomes; collecting, organizing and interpreting data; assessing strengths and limitations; developing mutually agreed upon intervention goals and objectives; and selecting appropriate intervention strategies.  Prerequisite: Acceptance in Senior standing in the major. Corequisite: SW 310 and SW 320. Fall semester.

SW 316 Community Organizing Project II 2 SH
This is the second course in the Community Organizing Project two-course sequence. Emphases this semester are on: initiating actions to achieve goals; implementing interventions; resolving problems, negotiating, mediating and advocating; transitions and endings; analysis and evaluation of interventions. Prerequisite: SW 315. Spring semester.

SW 320 Social Work Senior Field Practicum and Seminar 6 SH
This is the first of a two-semester field experience in a social service agency. The field practicum is for 16 hours per week over a period of 13 weeks, and attendance at a two-hour weekly seminar is required each semester. The practicum is designed to provide students with direct experience in the delivery of social services within an assigned setting under the supervision of a professional social worker. Students will engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In the seminar, students conceptualize and evaluate their competencies, apply knowledge to practice, and participate in peer learning. Prerequisite: Acceptance in Senior standing in the major. Corequisite: SW 310. Fall semester.

SW 321 Social Work Senior Field Practicum and Seminar 6 SH
This is the second of a two-semester field experience in a social service agency. The field practicum is for 16 hours per week over a period of 15 weeks, with a required two-hour weekly seminar. This is an advanced field experience course with emphasis on deepening and broadening the student’s practice competencies. The seminar provides students with further opportunities to conceptualize their field experiences and engage in evaluation of their own practice. It also provides a forum for discussion of practice questions and issues, as well as postgraduate planning opportunities. Prerequisite: SW 320. Corequisite: SW 311, SW 316 and SW 350. Spring semester.

SW 325 Senior Seminar on Social Policies Issues 2 SH
This course prepares students to engage in policy practice by building on the knowledge gained in SW 210. Definitions of social policies, ways in which policies are promulgated, developed, and implemented, and issues which lack policy direction will be addressed. Additionally, students learn how to analyze social policies, the interrelationships among research, policy and practice, how to advocate for policies that promote social well-being, and how to engage in policy practice. Prerequisite: PS 102, ECO 100 or ECO 207, and Senior standing in the major. Corequisites:  SW 310, SW 315 and SW 320.  Fall semester.

SW 350 Senior Integrative Seminar 2 SH
This is a capstone course taken in the last semester of study in the Social Work major.  In this course students demonstrate their competencies in both theoretical and practice knowledge bases and integrate their learning from the entire Social Work curriculum. Prerequisite: Senior standing in the major. Corequisite: SW 311, SW 316 and SW 321. Spring semester. Competency: Culminating Experience and WRiting Intensive Tier 3.

SW 400 Senior Integrative Seminar 3 SH

SW 400 is a capstone course taken in the last semester of study in the social work major. In this course students demonstrate their competencies in both the theoretical and practice knowledge bases and integrate their learning from the entire social work curriculum.  Competency: Culminating Experience and Writing Intensive Tier 3.