CATALOG

The mission of the Social Work Department is to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The generalist practitioner engages in a multi-layered practice within a diverse society. The Social Work Department places a special emphasis on the needs of the multicultural, rural constituency and humanistic values.  This philosophy respects and supports the rights, the dignity, and the worth of all people regardless of their color, creed, race, or national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, economic, social status, political orientation, or disabilities.  In addition, this philosophy recognizes the potential of each student and strongly believes that the student's diverse cultural and ethnic background is an asset to his/her educational process.  The program also builds upon the University's required liberal arts curriculum.  The Social Work Department offers a Bachelors of Social Work (B.S.W.)

DEGREES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED
The Social Work Department offers courses to complete the following degrees and programs:

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Major:  Social Work

DEGREE AND PROGRAM OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree, Major:  Social Work

Initial accreditation for the BSW Program was obtained June 1998 from the Council on Social Work Education.
**These courses are open only to social work majors.
***Special admission requirements apply.

COURSE GUIDE FOR SOCIAL WORK

Total: 126 credits
Note: courses in bold are part of the GENERAL UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Students should consult with the Program Chair if they are not sure of their preparation for a specific course.  Course prerequisites specified are the minimum preparation required.  In their first two college years, students need to work closely with their advisors to schedule the necessary General University Requirements and lower division core courses to properly prepare for upper division studies. 

SOWK  101         Introduction to Social Work (3)                                                           3 credits
Introduction to the profession of social work in the United States: considers history, principles, methods, and values of the social worker and settings from the generalist perspective; offered fall and spring semester

SOWK  306         Social Justice and Diverse Populations (3)                                      3 credits
The purpose of this course is to have students explore social justice and diverse populations.  The course will provide the conceptual, theoretical, and empirical knowledge base related to difference, oppression, social justice, and empowerment of culturally diverse at-risk populations.  This foundation of knowledge is necessary to social work practice in a multicultural society; offered spring semester

SOWK  310         Special Topic Series
The Special Topic Series serves as an introduction to four topics: family violence, chemical dependency, gerontology, and indigenous people.

SOWK 310A   Survey of Family Violence (3)                                                              3 credits
This is an introduction to various forms of family violence with emphasis on child abuse/neglect types and causes, resources, and agencies; examination of adult responses to child abuse/ neglect; social psychology of abusers, families; multicultural factors; professional self-awareness.  Prerequisites:  SOWK 101; offered spring semester

SOWK 310D Survey of Human Services w/Indigenous People (3)                        3 credits
This is an overview of the cultural, social, psychological and political factors effecting “First Nations” peoples.  The focus will be on North American Indians, including Mexican and Canadian groups, with global indigenous peoples also addressed.  Human services to “tribal” peoples will be critically examined.  Prerequisites: SOWK 101; offered spring semester

SOWK  312         Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3)                             3 credits
General systems theory is used as a framework for integrating human development and human behavior knowledge and theory pertaining to micro systems of society: individuals, families, and informal groups.  This is taken concurrently with SOWK 316 and SOWK 486.  Prerequisites: BIOL 111, PSY 101, SOC 101, and SOWK 101; cross listed as SOC 312; offered fall semester

SOWK  313         Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)                            3 credits
General systems theory is used as a framework for integrating human development and human behavior knowledge and theory pertaining to larger systems of society:  formal groups, organizations, communities, and society as a whole.  This is taken concurrently with SOWK 317 and SOWK 487.  Prerequisites: limited to majors and SOWK 312; offered spring semester

SOWK  316         Social Policy I (3)                                                                                   3 credits
This course offers an in-depth examination of the history of public welfare and social work: the function of social work - its mandates, values and ethics, and the fields of practice shaped by social welfare policies.  It introduction to poverty and the nature of oppression.  It is taken concurrently with SOWK 312 and SOWK 486.  Prerequisites: SOWK 101, ECON 101, and HIS 204 or HIS 205W; cross listed as SOC 316; offered fall semester

SOWK  317         Social Policy II (3)                                                                                  3 credits
This is an in-depth examination of social welfare as a social institution: analysis of society's structure and its relationship to meet social welfare needs; trends in social welfare; social welfare policy analysis in relationship to social work. It is taken concurrently with SOWK 313 and SOWK 487.  Prerequisites: limited to majors and SOWK 316; offered spring semester

SOWK 321          Social Work with Groups (3)                                                                3 credits
This course develops knowledge and skills of social work practice with groups. It prepares students to utilize groups as a helping resource for clients, as a member of committees, and other task groups. The practice of group work is presented through lecture, discussions, role plays, and small group learning experiences.

SOWK 322          Practice with Persons with Special Needs (3)                                  3 credits
This course provides the student with practical knowledge and skills to work with individuals, families and communities with longer-term service needs. The student will be required to apply assessment and plan effective intervention.

SOWK 323          Spirituality in Social Work Practice (3)                                               3 credits
Spirituality/religion is a significant dimension of human diversity. The purpose of this course is to explore the impact and implications of spirituality/religion diversity on social work practice through the use of case studies, vignettes, and case studies.

SOWK 388         Preparation for Field Practicum (1)                                                      1 credit
Students participate in a 15-hour program designed to focus on readiness for field placement: i.e., résumé/cover letter writing, interviewing skills, dressing for success, stress and time management, ethics and confidentiality, and other topics structured to enhance skills.  The course is graded as Pass/No Pass.  Prerequisites:  limited to majors, SOWK 312, SOWK 316 and SOWK 486; offered spring semester

SOWK  390         Advanced Topic                                                                                 1-3 credits
Independent study of specialized subject matter in social work; topics vary, depending upon current interests and needs; may be repeated for credit with a new topic; prerequisites: limited to majors and permission of the Program Chair; offered TBA

SOWK  430         Ethics in Practice (3)                                                                            3 credits
This course deals with issues of ethics for the entry-level generalist social work practitioner in a variety of practice settings.  This course also meets requirements of RCW 79.24.310 for chemical dependency counselors.  Prerequisites:  OWK 101 or permission of the Program Chair; cross-listed as SOC 430; offered fall semester

SOWK  435         Advanced Issues Series
The Advanced Issues Series focuses is divided into three modules that last five weeks each.

SOWK 435A   Advanced Issues Series Module 1                                                       1 credit
The first module provides necessary content in HIV/AIDS education for the generalist social worker.  Co-requisite: SOWK 435GC and SOWK 435D; cross-listed as SOC 435A; offered spring semester

SOWK 435C   Advanced Issues Series Module 2                                                       1 credit
The second module provides necessary content in alcohol and drug abuse education for the generalist social worker.  Co-requisite: SOWK 435A and SOWK 435D; cross-listed as SOC 435C; offered spring semester

SOWK 435D   Advanced Issues Series Module 3                                                       1 credit
The third module gives students a brief introduction to instruments utilized in social work assessment, with special emphasis on the DSM IVR. Co-requisite: SOWK 435A and SOWK 435C; cross-listed as SOC 435D; offered spring semester

SOWK  459W      Social Science Research Methods (3)                                              3 credits
Basic research methodologies for the social sciences: principles of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for collection and analysis of data; development of research design; this course is the same as SOC 460.  Prerequisites: SOC 220 or Math 221, senior standing and permission of the Program Chair; offered fall semester

SOWK  460W      Social Programs/Evaluation (3)                                                          3 credits
Basic evaluation methodologies for social programs: analysis of public and private social programs' effectiveness; policy design, implementation, and evaluation; basic practice evaluation skills; prerequisites: limited to majors; SOC 220, SOC 460 and senior standing; offered spring semester

SOWK  486W      Theory of Practice I (3)                                                                        3 credits
Generalist social work practice with micro systems; knowledge and methods to bring about planned change with individuals and client-identified family systems; practice in interpersonal skills; taken concurrently with SOWK 312 and SOWK 316; prerequisites: SOWK 101, PSY 101, SOC 101 and BIOL 111; limited to majors; offered fall semester

SOWK  487W      Theory of Practice II (3)                                                                       3 credits
Generalist social work practice with mezzo systems; knowledge and methods to bring about planned change with families, natural networks, and groups; practice skills in group process; taken concurrently with SOWK 313, SOWK 317 and SOWK 388; prerequisites: limited to majors; SOWK 486; offered spring semester

SOWK  488W      Theory of Practice III (3)                                                                      3 credits
Generalist social work practice with macro systems; knowledge and methods to bring about planned change in organizations, systems, and communities through planning, administration, evaluation, advocacy, and community organization; taken concurrently with SOWK 490; prerequisites: limited to majors; SOWK 487; offered fall semester

SOWK  490         Field Practicum I (4)                                                                              4 credits
Through individually appropriate field experiences, students are given opportunities to apply knowledge gained from coursework, and to integrate theory and practice in professional situations.  At least 225 hours of professional work is required.  Included in the Practicum are fifteen hours of professional development seminar discussions.  This course is taken concurrently with SOWK 488, SOC 460.  Prerequisites: SOWK 486 and SOWK 487; limited to majors, senior standing and admission to field practicum; offered fall semester

SOWK  491         Field Practicum II (4)                                                                             4 credits
Through individually appropriate field experiences, students are given opportunities to apply knowledge gained from coursework, and to integrate theory and practice in professional situations.  At least 225 hours of professional work is required.  Included in the Practicum are fifteen hours of professional development seminar discussions.  This course is taken concurrently with SOWK 460.  Prerequisites: SOWK 488, SOWK 490; limited to majors, senior standing and admission to field practicum; offered spring semester

SOWK  497W      Senior Thesis                                                                                    1-3 credits
This is an advanced course allowing a student to complete an independent research project or scholarly investigation which demonstrates mastery of methodology appropriate to the student's field of study.  Prerequisites: limited to majors, senior standing and permission of the Program Chair; offered TBA