Elective Courses for BSW Seniors
All elective courses are three (3) credits each. Students must take 12 credits of social work electives during their Senior (U4) year prior to graduation (can be taken in any combination of summer, fall, winter, spring semesters of Senior (U4) year). This course listing includes a partial list of prospective course offerings. Courses are not offered every semester or even year. Please check the course registration/schedule of courses on SOLAR for current schedule information.
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 320 Aspects of Aging
This comprehensive course will prepare students to serve older adults and their families at each level of social work practice. Content will include the current models, theories, and perspectives in the study of aging. Students will learn of the biopsychosocial-spiritual experiences of older adults in America and the systems that impact them. Attention will be paid to physical and mental wellness, social programs, ethical issues, and diverse populations within gerontology. 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, semester 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.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 324 Model of Change - Trailblazers, 'Good' Troublemakers, and Change Makers
This class will explore human rights advocates and dig deep into the social movements that have driven societal change. This class stresses the need for social workers to use a human rights framework for practice, especially in our interconnected global economy. This course will examine human rights, social work as a human rights profession, and in particular, vulnerable populations. This class will highlight timely issues such as human trafficking and environmental justice and will highlight advocates who like John Lewis "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America".
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 325 Food Justice
This course offers students an introduction and explanation of food systems, food policy, and rights frameworks, and the relation of each to food justice. Students will explore concepts such as food insecurity (and its measurement and costs), the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Right to Food, food security, food justice, and food sovereignty in order to develop a critical assessment of the food system, food policies, and hunger relief programs of the U.S., with a focus on social work advocacy and policy practice towards food justice.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 326 Crisis Intervention: Opportunities for Change
This course provides theoretical and substantive content that will enable students to gain knowledge, understanding, and skill in relation to crisis intervention in social work practice. This course defines crisis, provides examples of the types of crises workers will face in various fields of practice, explores the role of the social worker, and the range of interventions needed in response to crisis situations. Co-scheduled with HWC 526.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 327 Social Work in the Political Process: Campaign School
Social Workers, and the people they work with, are fundamentally dependent on the decisions made by the people who are elected to the executive and legislative branches of government. In order to advance the values of the Social Work profession, and advocate on behalf of clients, Social Workers must participate and engage in the political process.
This course is an exploration of the world of partisan electoral politics as an area of social work practice. Social workers can, and do, play many roles in the political arena. These roles can include, staff to elected officials, volunteer and staff positions on political campaigns, political appointments, lobbying roles and as elected officeholders. This course makes it clear why it is important for social workers to be in the political arena. The specific techniques and requirements for running for office, or serving in a leadership role on a political campaign, will be covered throughout this course. This is a hybrid course that combines ten class sessions and required attendance at a two day conference, titled "Campaign School."
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 329 Resiliency, Wellness and Self-Care for the Social Worker & Client
Self-Care is an essential part of being an effective Social Worker. Yet, many times the Social Worker will neglect their own needs for wellness. This course is specifically designed to help empower the Social Worker how to best care for themselves, in turn, enabling them to be the most impactful in their role as helper. This course will discuss Spirituality, obstacles to Self-Care, High Cost of Neglect, and developing a personalized self-care plan.
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, semester varies
HWC 339 Ancestral Health Practices
There is an increasing integration of complementary medicine and allopathic medicine. As health professionals, it is important to understand the beliefs and practices of our clients in order to maximize their options and choices. Professionals must be knowledgeable about the healing traditions anchored in different cultures and ethnicity.
3 credits, semester 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 342 School Social Work: An Overview
This course is an introduction to the practice of school social work. It gives an overview of the central issues that occur in schools. It discusses strategies to build a positive and safe school climate for diverse and disenfranchised populations. It examines the social/political context of working in the school and the impact of policies such as the Common Core, NCLB and Race to the Top. Topics will also include working with students struggling with psychiatric, psychological, substance use, and familial issues as well as assisting students in special education. An overview of crisis intervention techniques will be presented.
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.
3 credits, semester 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 345 Social Work and Human Rights
The goals of social work are intertwined with the premise that the realization of universal human rights are essential to a just and ordered society. This class stresses the need for social workers to use a human rights framework for practice, especially in our interconnected global economy. Human rights can help link micro practice to macro practice and connect the varying roles of the social worker. This class will highlight timely issues such as human trafficking and environmental justice. This class will provide students with advanced clinical practice skills rooted in human rights as well as advocacy strategies needed to create policy based on human rights.
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, semester 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, semester 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, semester 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
HWC 427 - Social Work in the Political Practice- Campaign School
Social Workers, and the people they work with, are fundamentally dependent on the decisions made by the people who are elected to the executive and legislative branches of government. In order to advance the values of the Social Work profession, and advocate on behalf of clients, Social Workers must participate and engage in the political process. This course is an exploration of the world of partisan electoral politics as an area of social work practice. Social workers can, and do, play many roles in the political arena. These roles can include, staff to elected officials, volunteer and staff positions on political campaigns, political appointments, lobbying roles and as elected officeholders. This course makes it clear why it is important for social workers to be in the political arena. The specific techniques and requirements for running for office, or serving in a leadership role on a political campaign, will be covered throughout this course. ("by permission of the Instructor only.") This is a hybrid course that combines ten class sessions, hybrid learning hours, and required attendance at a two day conference, titled "Campaign School". Prerequisite: HWC 310.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 454 Legislative Advocacy for Social Workers
The course will introduce students to the role that social workers play in shaping and influencing the legislative process - from advocacy and lobbying, to elections, to research, writing and passing legislation. This course will focus on the New York State legislature or the Nassau and Suffolk legislatures, depending on the year. Students will be introduced to the role that social workers can play in shaping policy and how to go about influencing policy. Students will develop the skills necessary to succeed in legislative advocacy on behalf of their clients and the profession. 3 credits, semester varies
HWC 461 - Anti-Racist Social Work: Understanding White Fragility and Black Rage
The course will assist social work students in understanding the complex nature of the dynamics of social oppression, racism, and anti-racist practice. Students will explore their own personal values, beliefs, and behaviors that may limit their ability to practice effective social work with people of diverse backgrounds, in particular, disadvantaged and oppressed persons. Students will acquire the knowledge needed for practice using an anti-oppressive and anti-racist lens framed by an understanding of systemic racism. Prerequisite: HWC 310.
3 credits, semester varies
HWC 479 Special Topics in Social Work
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. Permission required for students not enrolled in the School of Social Welfare. Prerequisite: HWC 310.
3 credits semester varies
