HWC 210 Introduction to Social Work
Introduces the student to the field of social work. Provides an overview of the variety of settings in which social workers practice. Describes the knowledge, values, and skills which social workers use in order to help individuals, families, groups, and communities.
1 credit, fall and spring semesters
HWC 300 Introduction to Fields of Practice
This course exposes students to various social service delivery systems. Field visits, reports, guest speakers, lectures, and small group discussion are included. Agencies such as youth development associations, public schools, criminal justice systems, mental health and health systems will be observed. The social worker's role in such agencies, and identification and utilization of community resources are emphasized.
4 credits, spring semester
HWC 301 Field Education I
Places students in settings conducive to generalist practice. Prepares students to fulfill social work roles and functions within the social welfare system. Supervision provided by an M.S.W. Students graded S/F. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 306.
Prerequisites: HWC 300 and 305
6 credits, fall semester
HWC 302 Field Education II
A continuation of HWC 301. Students will be graded S/F. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 307.
Prerequisites: HWC 300, 301, 305 and 306
6 credits, spring semester
HWC 304 Contemporary Social Justice Issues
This course explores the meaning of social justice and its presentation in our society. Examines the impact of social injustice and discusses the individuals, organizations, and communities who fight to combat the presence of injustice. Provides an understanding of social problems and the plight of populations who do not benefit from a socially just society. Analyzes effective methods utilized to eradicate the sources of oppression and organizational responses that address injustice and bring balance to the equitable experiences of individuals, groups, and communities.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 305 Practice Processes in Social Work I
An overview of the purpose, principles, values, skills and processes in social work. Focuses on the knowledge, values, skills, the roles of the social worker and the elements of the professional relationship. The generalist approach to social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, populations-at-risk and the promotion of social and economic justice are highlighted. This course prepares students for the use of differential assessments and interventions with individuals and families.
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 306 Practice Processes in Social Work II
Builds on HWC 305. This course emphasizes the generalist approach in working with groups and families. It explores a variety of models of group work services available to practitioners and agencies. Identifying, building and utilizing intervention skills in the group process are focused on. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 301 and 315.
Prerequisites: HWC 300 and 305
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 307 Practice Processes in Social Work III
Builds on HWC 304, 305 and 306. This course emphasizes the generalist approach in working with communities. The nature and application of a variety of community interventive modalities are explored. Must be taken concurrently with HWC 302 and 316.
Prerequisites: HWC 300, 301, 302, 304, 305 and 306
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 308 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Introduces a framework for understanding how individuals and families grow, develop and change within their social environment. Interpersonal, intrapersonal and socio-structural theories and their impact on special populations, especially groups that have been historically oppressed, devalued and alienated in society are critiqued.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 309 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
A continuation of HWC 308. This course emphasizes an understanding of the life course, the role of time, social events, trauma and the developmental process. Social institutions and their impact on people generally oppressed in society and the role of empowerment are examined.
Prerequisite: HWC 308
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 310 The Political Economy of Social Welfare
This course introduces a political economic framework for viewing social welfare in the United States. Basic political economic determinants of social problems, policies and programs are examined. This course focuses on the role of the state, conflict, power, class structure and ideology as they relate to such problems as poverty, inequality, racism and sexism.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 311 Social Welfare Policy, Services and Analysis
This course presents the history and basic concepts underlying the development of social welfare in the United States. Identification and interrelationships of social values and structures, political factors and economic conditions in understanding the evolution of social welfare and the profession of social work are emphasized. Presents an analytical framework which enables students to examine social welfare policy according to a disciplined, systematic process built upon the values of social justice and equality, empowerment and self-determination.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 312 Social Welfare Policy and Institutional Oppression
Builds upon the foundation provided in HWC 311 and expands the student's understanding of the complex interrelationships characterizing American society which result in social injustice, inequality and oppression. Views the policies and programs of the public welfare, health, mental health, housing and criminal justice systems through the lens of five basic sources of oppression in American society—racism, sexism, classism, ageism and heterosexism.
Prerequisite: HWC 311
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 313 Research in Social Work I
This course provides instruction in introductory concepts and methods of social research. Focuses on examining the various methods researchers use to collect data relevant to social work practice, such as survey, experimental design, field research and unobtrusive design.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 314 Research in Social Work II
Explicates data analytic procedures used in analyzing data relevant to social work practice. Examines basic descriptive statistics (e.g., frequencies and percentages, mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation) and bivariate (e.g., Pearson's r, chi-square, t-test) as the major focus of the course.
Prerequisite: HWC 313
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 315 Integrating Seminar I
Provides an opportunity for the integration, within the framework of the mission of the school, of the knowledge, skills and professional values acquired and developed through course work and field education experience. Taken concurrently with 301 and 306.
3 credits, fall semester
HWC 316 Integrating Seminar II
Builds on HWC 315. Taken concurrently with 302 and 307.
Prerequisite: HWC 315
3 credits, spring semester
HWC 317 Issues in Death and Dying; Loss and Separation
This course provides an overview of the knowledge, values, policy and skills underlying effective entry-level practice with dying and grieving clients. The interrelationship of psychological, interpersonal, family, institutional, community and cultural dynamics of dying and grieving are covered.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 321 Ethnic Sensitive Social Work Practice
Provides a theoretical framework and focuses on the development of skills necessary to provide effective culturally sensitive social work services to diverse individuals, families, groups and communities. The special problems faced by groups traditionally devalued and oppressed are examined. Skills in working for institutional change and social justice are emphasized. Co-scheduled with HWC 521.
3 credits, year varies
HWC 323 Growing Old in America: The Social Conditions Policy and Practice Implications
Explores the social, political and economic conditions related to aging in this society. Identifies social policies and program formats that enhance wellness and support dependencies from a positive perspective. Co-scheduled with HWC 523.
3credits, semester varies
HWC 324 Children and Adolescents Who Grieve
Focuses on issues related to bereavement in children and young people. Children and adolescents who struggle with the crisis of loss is a special population that is often overlooked. Students explore the emotional response of young people who grieve. Mental health professionals that provide treatment to this population must acquire specialized knowledge and skills to assist in healing wounded children. Upon completion, students will have an increased understanding of the developmental implications of loss in childhood, assessment of bereavement, and treatment interventions specific to bereaved children and adolescents. Co-scheduled with HWC 524.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 325 Anger Management
This course presents an overview of concepts of anger management within holistical context. Students learn how to recognize external manifestations of anger in themselves, clients, organizations and communities. Anger management strategies that can be taught to clients as part of an intervention plan will be introduced. Environmental and societal factors as "igniting events" of anger in individuals, families, groups and communities are examined.
Co-scheduled with HWC 525.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 329 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Human service workers are often required to discuss issues of health and healing. Many individuals, by virtue of their culture, experiences and/or choice, often adhere to a combination of nontraditional and traditional beliefs regarding health care. This course familiarizes students with those methods and beliefs most often found in specific cultures. Students will develop an appreciation of each practice in order to interact with clients from a strengths perspective and will gain an international perspective on health care modalities. Co-scheduled with HWC 529.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 330 Case Management in Human Services
Case management has grown dramatically in the human service field over the last twenty years in response to the growing service needs of individuals and families facing complex life situations and issues. It examines both the macro level and micro level issues facing case managers and agencies as they provide quality services to often oppressed populations. Co-scheduled with HWC 530.
3 credits, year varies
HWC 340 Social Issues in Popular Culture
Movies have been a useful medium that can illustrate current social issues and family dynamics, as well as policy and research dilemmas. Each week, a film with a central practice/research/policy issue provides the basis for a lecture and class discussion. Topics focus on a variety of social issues such as family dynamics, bereavement, adoption, domestic violence, abuse, residential placement, policy and research. Co-scheduled with HWC 540.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 343 Working with Children of Alcoholics and Substance Abusers
Deals with children of alcoholic parents, how parents' illnesses affect the social, emotional and educational development of their children, and the survival roles children assume in order to live in troubled, alcoholic families. It emphasizes identification and intervention strategies with children who suffer from parental alcoholism when they are seen in settings other than home or social service agencies, such as school and youth programs.
3credits, year varies
HWC 344 Overview of Substance Abuse
This course is an examination of the history and development of alcohol and substance abuse problems in the United States. It focuses on the etiology, psychopharmacology and legal ramifications of the use of licit and illicit substances in our culture. The course provides information on a variety of services available to drug abusers, addicted individuals and their families in the fields of prevention, education and treatment. Co-scheduled with HWC 544.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 349 Overview of Social Work with Special Populations
This course examines the issues that social workers must consider when working with traditionally disenfranchised populations. Emphasis will include micro and macro issues when intervening with gay and lesbian individuals, members of diverse racial and ethnic groups, and women, as well as others. The historic as well as contemporary experiences of these individuals' interactions with the health and human service delivery system will be explored. Co-scheduled with HWC 549.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 351 Law and Social Change
This course introduces students to the interrelationship of the legal process in the United States and the profession of social work. Focuses on the legal process in general, social welfare law, in particular, and the implications for effective social work practice. Co-scheduled with HWC 551.
3 credits, year varies
HWC 361 Implications of Racism for Social Welfare
This course examines personal and institutional racism in the United States and the effect racism has on the delivery of services to individuals who do not fit the traditional "American model." It examines the historical relationship between racism and social welfare policies, programs and practice, as well as contemporary strategies for change. Co-scheduled with HWC 561.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 362 Implications of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
Introduces child maltreatment via its history and how its recognition progressed to spur many to become advocates for the prevention of child abuse. Topics include identification, reporting and interviewing. Social and economic pressures on the family are examined.
3 credits, year varies
HWC 363 Homelessness, Politics and Public Health
This course analyzes homelessness as an issue of social policy, including its history, recent causes and current demographics. Emphasizes the political and economic context that has made homelessness a major social problem. Co-scheduled with HWC 563.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 364 The Impact of Sexual Assault
Introduction to the incidence and prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. Covered are definition issues, family dynamics, symptoms, assessment techniques, treatment modalities and strategies utilized with the survivor. Issues related to offenders and offender treatment are addressed, as well as ethical and legal dilemmas. Cultural dynamics in sexual abuse related to childhood sexual trauma will be emphasized. Students should develop an understanding and ability to critically analyze current research.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 369 Youth and Violence
This course examines the etiology of youth at risk for violence, using ecological and interpersonal perspectives. Family, school and community risk factors are outlined as well as assessment, intervention and treatment issues. Successful prevention programs are highlighted. Co-scheduled with HWC 541.
3 credits, year varies
HWC 375 Child Welfare: An Overview
This course covers the impact of historical and contemporary developments within the field of child welfare. It examines the evaluation of child welfare services and the role of child care workers. Examines out-of-home care, foster care, group home care and institutional care within the context of traditional public/voluntary structure of services and the social/political context. Services in relation to the changing roles of the family and emergence of child care are covered. Co-scheduled with HWC 575.
3 credits, year varies
HWC 379 Special Topics in Social Welfare
These courses examine significant timely issues confronting the profession. Topics include violence as a public health problem, issues of aging, racism, gender, AIDS, the media, and others. Topics vary each term as faculty develops specific modules that address one or more of these issues. Co-scheduled with HWC 579 when offered as an enrichment elective.
1-3 credits, semester varies
HWC 380 Overview of Family Violence
This course is an overview of the phenomenon of family violence in the United States including child abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV) and elder abuse. Incidence and prevalence regarding each form of family violence will be reviewed as well as etiology, current evidence-based treatment modalities and competing political ideologies. Particular focus will be on the current research for each type of family violence and policy directives that emanate. This course also explores theories of etiology, including patriarchy, intergenerational family dynamics and substance abuse. It examines programmatic approaches and programs for batterers and prevention strategies. Co-scheduled with HWC 580.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 390 HIV/AIDS
This course focuses on the central aspects of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic, including the state of medical knowledge, HIV/AIDS and the law, prejudice and discrimination, AIDS activism and organizing, grief/death/dying, psychosocial issues, redefining the medical model, homophobia, racism, sexism and ableism in research, treatment and policy, IV drug use, drug treatment and other related issues. Upon completion of this course, students will have met the educational requirements established by the HIV Primary Care Medicaid Provider Agreement. This requirement is needed to conduct HIV pre- and post-test counseling in hospitals and clinic settings. Co-scheduled with HWC 590.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 395 Independent Study
Independent study with an individual faculty member.
1-3 credits, fall and spring semesters
HWC 399 Maintenance of Matriculation
For students who are maintaining matriculation while engaging in consultation with faculty regarding completion of courses. Students will be graded S/F.
1 credit, fall and spring semesters
