Social Work Courses (SWK)

SWK 1990-4990. Independent Studies (1-3). Approved independent studies on a special topic with a professor.

SWK 1895-4895. Special Topics (1-3). Unique special topics offered for one semester or a pilot course.

SWK 2000. Introduction to Social Work (3, Spring and Fall). A study of the origins, structure, and characteristics of social work services, social welfare policies, and the social work profession. In addition to other course requirements, the student must complete 15 clock hours of service learning in a social service agency.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (S – Service Learning).

SWK 2050 Social Work Research (4, Fall) Pre/co-requisites: SWK 2000, MTH 1150. This is an introduction to the methods of scientific inquiry and their relevance to social work. Topics include research design, problem formulation, measurement, data analysis, and ethics in research. Fundamentals of analyzing research reports will also be emphasized. * a 1-hour, web-based lab is included to expand knowledge of APA formatting, Evidence-based practice, and statistical applications.

SWK 2150. Social Work Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders (3). A generalist social work approach dealing with the history of drug usage/origin, drug usage as a social problem, and a systems approach involving the individual, family/support group and society in dealing with the problem.

SWK 2200. Child Welfare (3). A general study of social work service designed to enhance the welfare of children. Emphasis is on societal problems which cause problems for children and on the activities and programs which provide services to deal with those problems.

SWK 2250. Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3, Spring and Fall).  This course examines the biological, psychological, and social development of the individual at different lifespan stages. Students learn about human behavior from the perspective of developmental milestones as well as environmental, societal and cultural issues and contexts.

SWK 2300. Exploring Human Diversity (3).This course examines and explores the intricacies of human diversity. Students will be able to identify areas of oppression and injustice as well as strength and opportunity as they learn about what makes us alike and different. There is an emphasis on critical thinking about, and awareness of, human diversity through readings, films, personal visits and immersion experiences in the community representing a vast scope of diversity including (but not limited to): age, class, ethnicity, ability, faith, and gender.

SWK 2350.  Poverty in the United States (3).  Working with persons experiencing poverty is a major focus of the social work profession.  The primary purpose of this course is to examine the nature of poverty, both rural and urban, in the United States.  To achieve this purpose, we will explore and examine the history of poverty in the United States, theories about the causes of poverty, the role of class, social mobility, and the effects of poverty on individual development.  We will also examine the demographics of poverty and reflect on the co-occurrence of poverty and oppression.  We will also assess various policies and programs that have been designed to alleviate poverty, the effects and consequences of these efforts, and will explore and propose other possible intervention strategies.

SWK 2400.  Social Work Practice in Health Care (3).  This course is designed to provide students with a general understanding of the role of social workers in health settings and with the knowledge to work with individuals and families in a variety of health settings.  The course will examine the psychosocial and biological causes of health, illness, and disability from infancy to older adulthood.  Students will learn about existing health care issues, ethical concerns, disparities in level of and access to health care, and the range of professional opportunities for social work involvement. 

SWK 2450.  Trauma Informed Social Work Practice (3).  This course will present the current conceptualizations of trauma-informed care from an ecological point of view.  Emphasis is placed on the biology and neuroscience of stress and trauma, the effects of trauma on populations at-risk and the evolving conceptualization of social work's role in the treatment and prevention of stress and trauma.  Acquisition of diagnostic skills will be emphasized throughout the course as well as the knowledgeable applications of "trauma-informed care" to all levels of generalist practice.  Evidence-based interventions and treatment solutions will be presented to students, but not expected to be practiced. 

SWK 2950-4950. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

SWK 3100. Social Work with the Aging (3 hours). Basic concepts of generalist social work practice will be applied to the older adult group. The characteristics of aging populations, their needs, and potential will be discussed. Social trends and institutions involved in services to the aged will be included.

SWK 3150. School Social Work (3, even years, Fall). A study of current school issues and problems, with emphasis on ways educators, social workers, school psychologists, guidance counselors, students and their families might work toward strengths-based solutions to and prevention of problems within a school culture.

SWK 3210. Social Work Practice I (3, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 2000. Open to Social Work Majors only. An examination of the knowledge, values, and skills basic to the generalist practice of social work. Students utilize an understanding of the social work process to develop skills in problem-solving with individuals, and families. A videotape experience is provided for skill-building and evaluation opportunities.

SWK 3220. Social Work Practice II (3, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 3210. A continuation of SWK 3210, including further application of the generalist method of problem-solving with micro and macro systems. The course is focused in group-work of various kinds.  Students will learn about group facilitation and have the opportunity to practice skills throughout the course.

SWK3230 Social Work Practice III (3, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 3210 and 3220. This course is an examination of the knowledge, values, and skills basic to the generalist practice of social work within groups, organizations and communities. Students build upon the principles of practice from a person-in-environment perspective and apply to macro-level systems. .A continuation of SWK 3210 and SWK 3220, this is the concluding course in the three part Social Work practice sequence. Content includes a further application of the generalist model of problem solving within macro systems, with a focus on community development, organizational management, leadership, and grant writing.

SWK 3350. Spiritual Formation and Issues in Social Work (3). An exploration into the study of spiritual formation for the individual as the social worker, examining the importance of acknowledging the spiritual with clients, and addressing issues that one must be sensitive to and work with using the strengths perspective.

SWK 3700. Social Work Field Forum (3, Spring). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. A forum for junior Social Work majors preparing them for entrance into their field instruction. The course covers, but is not limited to, agency selection, mission statement, client population, student role in an agency setting, professionalism, Social Work values and ethics, and responsibility. Course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis only.

SWK 3810. Social Welfare Policy Issues and Services I (3, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 2000. An examination of the institution of social welfare with emphasis on the history and systemic nature of service programs. Students examine economic and political processes that impact on the social welfare system especially as they relate to oppressed populations. Students will also be introduced to social policy analysis.

SWK 3820. Social Welfare Policy Issues and Services II (3, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 3810. An examination of the experiences, needs, and responses of people who have been subjected to institutionalized forms of oppression. Attention is given to the patterns and consequences of discrimination and oppression as they relate to the economic, political, and social welfare systems. Populations include, but are not limited to, those distinguished by age, disablement, sexual orientation, and culture. Students will present their policy analyses at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).

SWK 4230. Crisis Intervention (3, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 3700.  Open to senior-level social work majors only.  A study of short-term, limited-goal generalist techniques and management skills employed by social workers dealing with crisis situations. Self care will be emphasized in this course as the students examine difficult issues.

SWK 4410. Field Instruction I (6, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 3700 or consent of instructor. Two hundred and fifty clock hours of field instruction, supervised by a professional social worker in a social service agency, provide the student an opportunity to implement knowledge learned in foundation courses. Emphasis is on developing generalist social work practice skills. Concurrent with a 1 1/2 hour weekly seminar.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

SWK 4420. Field Instruction II - Cultural Responsiveness (6, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 4410 or consent of instructor. 250 clock hours of field instruction supervised by a professional social worker in a social work setting. This course helps to strengthen the development of the generalist social work and the use of self. A deeper consideration of values and social issues is emphasized. Concurrent with a 1 1/2 hour weekly seminar. Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

SWK 4015. Senior Seminar (3, Spring). Co-requisite: SWK 4420. This is the culminating experience capstone course for graduating seniors to demonstrate mastery of the professional social work foundation, and prepare them to systematically evaluate their own practice through a major integrative assignment.