School of Social Work

SOWK 1350. Introduction to Social Work.

This introductory survey course includes the nature, function, and various types of social work practice, acquainting the student with the history, scope, and values of the profession.

SOWK 2320. Love and Relationships.

This elective course explores the nature of attraction, friendship, love, and human sexuality, enabling students to enhance their own personal and professional relationships.

SOWK 2375. Social Services in the Community.

This undergraduate course introduces the organizations and policies involved in social services delivery. Students participate in 50 hours of work as supervised observers and volunteers in selected social service agencies.

SOWK 3305. Seminar in Human Behavior and Social Environment I.

This course provides an overview of human functioning in the environment by studying eco-systems and developmental frameworks. It builds knowledge and values for practice with task groups, organizations, and communities. Prerequisite: SOWK 2375 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 3420 with a grade of "C" or better.

SOWK 3312. Alcoholism and Chemical Dependence.

This elective course focuses on commonly used and abused drugs as well as the dynamics and treatment of addiction and alcohol abuse. It emphasizes direct social work interventions aimed at addiction prevention and treatment.

SOWK 3332. Helping Troops Transition Back to their Families and Communities: The Invisible Wounds of War.

The course examines topics at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community levels related to troops who are returning from current combat operations and their families. It reviews the needs, community resources, and policies in place for helping them and their families make this transition.

SOWK 3340. Social Work Research.

This course builds foundation-level scientific research skills in critical thinking, knowledge of program and practice evaluation, and a philosophy of generalist social work practice. Prerequisite: [CJ 3347 or HP 3302 or HP 3325 or PSY 2301 or SOCI 3307] and SOWK 3425 both with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 4356 and SOWK 4425 both with grades of "C" or better.

SOWK 3420. Social Work Practice I.

This course studies generalist theory and application of social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, including introductory data collection, assessment, intervention planning, and evaluation. (WI) Prerequisite: SOWK 2375 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 3305 with a grade of "C" or better.

SOWK 3425. Social Work Practice II.

This undergraduate course emphasizes generalist social work practice with task groups, organizations, and communities, examining data collection, assessment, intervention, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Students develop and implement a community-based project. (WI) Prerequisites: SOWK 3420 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisites: SOWK 4305 with a grade of "C" or better.

SOWK 4300E. Statistics for Social Work Online.

This course builds foundation scientific research skills. Students develop critical thinking skills, knowledge of program and practice evaluation, and a philosophy of generalist social work practice.

SOWK 4300F. International Social Work.

This course covers basic theoretical and practical approaches to empowerment, social and economic justice, and human rights. Particular cultures and specific global problems are examined in-depth to promote student acquisition of an international worldview for human global change based on social work values and research-informed practice.

SOWK 4300K. Innovative Community Engagement with Vulnerable Populations.

This hybrid, service-learning, Study-in-America course will require students to identify, examine, and critically analyze social service programs in Central Texas and Los Angeles, California which provide services to vulnerable populations (persons experiencing poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, criminal justice issues, etc.). The impact of socio-economic and community-based social justice issues is analyzed within the context of human development over the life course with an emphasis on the impact of positive individual and community development. Cultural dynamics are examined in conjunction with issues of equity, justice, and community service provision. This course is designed to be highly experiential.

SOWK 4300O. Modern Day Colonialism and Indigenous People.

This course is a hybrid, service-learning, Study-in-America course that will require students to identify, examine, and critically analyze the history of colonialism on the culture, allocation of resources, oppression, and contribution to on-going risks and strengths in Hilo, Hawaii. Additional components of the course include: 1) required travel to various agencies, communities, and areas of interest throughout Hilo, Hawaii; 2) required participation in synchronous online learning, asynchronous learning, and two pre-travel orientations; and 3) active participation in service-learning/volunteer activities within a human service agency in Hilo, Hawaii.

SOWK 4300P. Perspectives in Global Social Work Ethics.

This course provides undergraduate students with an overview of perspectives on global social work ethics, while affording opportunities to problem-solve practice-related international ethical dilemmas. Prerequisite: [SOWK 1350 or SOWK 2375] with a grade of "D" or better.

SOWK 4301. School Social Work.

This course is an overview of social services in schools. Topics covered include: educational issues, conceptual frameworks, education and mental health policies, and service delivery systems. Special attention is paid to cultural diversity, special populations within education, parent-school collaboration, community liaisons, referral systems, and educational systems change. (MULT).

SOWK 4302. Hip Hop and Social Justice for Individual and Community Change.

In this course, Hip-Hop culture is introduced within the context of human development over the life course with an emphasis on positive individual and community well-being. Cultural dynamics are viewed alongside art's role in the social and political history of the United States including issues of equity and justice. (MULT).

SOWK 4303. Spirituality and Social Work Practice.

This course provides a basic framework of knowledge, values, and skills necessary for ethical and effective spiritually-relevant practice. It examines spirituality as an integral component of a strengths-based approach to social work practice with diverse and/or vulnerable clients. It integrates a contemporary global perspective with critical self-reflection. (MULT).

SOWK 4304. Animal-Assisted Therapy.

This course is an introduction to the human-animal bond and its therapeutic applications. The course connects students with an extensive network of handlers and facilities in a wide range of disciplines with applied animal-assisted therapy programs. Students learn to plan professional, ethical, goal-directed, individualized and group animal-assisted therapy activities and programs that incorporate peoples from a variety of populations, in a variety of settings, as well as animal welfare. The course assists students in earning American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen certification so they may prepare for future therapy-dog training and certification. Prerequisite: SOWK 1350 with a grade of "C" or better.

SOWK 4305. Seminar in Human Behavior and Social Environment II.

This course integrates knowledge from social sciences and SOWK 3305, focusing on individuals, families, and small groups functioning in environments. It uses a bio-psychosocial perspective, expanding on eco-systems, developmental, and values frameworks. (WI) Prerequisite: SOWK 3305 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 3425 with a grade of "C" or better.

SOWK 4307. Ghana: Human Rights and Social Justice.

This course focuses on human rights and applied social justice in a global context from an interdisciplinary standpoint. The course helps students develop the capacity to apply human rights and social justice knowledge and skills to interdisciplinary practice with individuals, communities, and families in a global context. This international-based service learning course intentionally integrates community service, academic learning, and civic learning.

SOWK 4310. Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work.

This undergraduate course focuses on knowledge and skills necessary for effective, ethical, and just practice, exploring interpersonal and institutional dynamics of racism, sexism, heterosexism, homophobia, classism and other forms of oppression and their effects on providing social services to diverse populations. (MULT).

SOWK 4315. Child Welfare.

This undergraduate elective course analyzes child welfare services available to abused and neglected children in their own homes, in substitute care, and through the community, emphasizing social work intervention with children and their families.

SOWK 4318. Social Work and Health Care.

This undergraduate elective course provides a generalist view of social work practice in mental health and public health, considering the social problems that affect health care, and ethical and effective intervention strategies and service delivery systems.

SOWK 4320. Social Work with Older Adults.

This undergraduate elective gives a comprehensive introduction to contemporary social problems, values, and issues affecting older adults, and effective and ethical intervention strategies and service delivery systems.

SOWK 4333. Comparative Social Work Ethics for Education Abroad.

This course assists students in expanding their basic level of knowledge, values, and skills in the area of ethics in social work, while participating in the Education Abroad program. Prerequisite: SOWK 1350 and SOWK 2375 both with grades of "C" or better.

SOWK 4334. Social Work During the Education Abroad Experience.

This course assists students in exploring social work processes, social service provision and services to special populations in an international context during the Education Abroad experience. Prerequisite: SOWK 1350 and SOWK 2375 both with a grade of "C" or better.

SOWK 4355. Policy Practice.

This course is an overview of social policy and legislation and the processes of influencing public policy. It links policy with a broad range of social work service areas.

SOWK 4356. Professionalism in Social Work.

This course builds skills in self-presentation, in taking responsibility for personal and professional growth, in learning professional behaviors in organizations, and in presenting court testimony. Prerequisite: SOWK 3425 and SOWK 4305 both with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 3340 and SOWK 4425 both with grades of "C" or better.

SOWK 4360. Directed Study in Social Work.

This one-semester undergraduate course highlights individualized reading, independent study and projects, and guided instruction. It is offered to superior students by the professor’s invitation and with the consent of the BSW Coordinator. This course may be repeated once for credit with different emphasis.

SOWK 4374. Generalist Field Integrative Seminar I.

In this course students engage in generalist social work practice in agencies, supervised by degreed social worker professionals and the field liaison. Students complete this integrative lecture-based seminar concurrently with a field practicum (SOWK 4975) in a social service agency. Prerequisite: SOWK 3340 and SOWK 4356 and SOWK 4425 all with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 4975 with a grade of "credit".

SOWK 4425. Social Work Practice III.

This undergraduate course emphasizes interpersonal and communication skills necessary for effective, ethical generalist social work practice. Students translate theory into helping behaviors through practice and feedback to develop competent skills for beginning field placement. (WI) Prerequisites: SOWK 3425 and SOWK 4305 both with grades of "C" or better. Corequisites: SOWK 3340 and SOWK 4356 both with grades of "C" or better.

SOWK 4975. Generalist Field Practicum II.

This course provides students with experiential opportunities for generalist social work practice in social service agencies applying micro, mezzo, and macro level knowledge. Prerequisite: SOWK 3340 and SOWK 4356 and SOWK 4425 all with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: SOWK 4374 with a grade of "B" or better.