Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

This course focuses on descriptive and inferential statistics in the design, analysis and interpretation of data in psychological research. Students will learn to effectively present data. Practical application is emphasized. Prerequisites: SWK313

This introductory course examines historical and contemporary efforts to address human needs, in American society. Students will participate in open discussions to explore the conservative, liberal and radical political ideologies that underpin social policies today. Discussion topics will include human diversity, religion, poverty, child welfare, criminal justice, health care, mental health, developmental disabilities, housing, homelessness, community development and aging. Students will have the opportunity to learn about and interact with professional social workers, through class activities, guest speakers and job shadowing experiences. Guest speakers will also include multidisciplinary professionals, such as attorneys, educators, law enforcement officers and medical personnel, who partner with social workers in meeting human needs.

This course serves as a foundation course for our social work program and is the first in our practice series (practice I). The course focuses on the core communication skills essential to beginning Social Work practice and the problem-solving process. Students are introduced to the generalist practice model and gain experience to basic listening and assessment skills within the context of social work values and knowledge and ethics. The generalist perspective along with exposure to cultural diversity and populations at risk are emphasized throughout the course as well. Students videotape various role play scenarios to gain practice skills engagement, assessment, goal planning, intervention, evaluation and termination.

This course provides a framework for the Generalist Model for social work practice with individuals and families. Emphasis is on learning to develop professional relationships that are characterized by mutuality, collaboration, and respect for the client. Content focuses on examination of client strengths and problems in the interactions among individuals and between people and their environments as well as social work knowledge, values, and skills that are employed to enhance the well-being of people and to help ameliorate the environmental conditions that affect people adversely. The problem solving methods is also a major component of the course as well as learning the skills for practice with clients from differing social, cultural, racial, religious, spiritual, and class backgrounds. Prerequisite: SWK316

This course examines the application of basic concepts of research methodology to social work, including problem formulation, design of research, measurement, sampling, and data analysis. It includes the role of research in social work and the interpretation and critical analysis of research reports in social work. This course provides the foundation to equip students to be consumers of published research and to engage in building knowledge to enhance practice and service delivery through the use of scientific methods. Emphasis throughout the course is placed on preparing students to identify research findings that assist them in being more effective practitioners as well as producers and consumers of research.

This course provides a framework for the Generalist Model for social work practice with groups. It is the second in the series of Social Work Practice courses and includes the same focus as Social Work Practice I but applied to groups. Students learn how to enhance the intellectual, emotional, and social development of individuals through group activities. Different techniques and objectives are explored and include groups that focus on: socialization, information exchange, curbing delinquency, recreation, changing socially unacceptable values, and helping to achieve better relations between cultural and racial groups.

This course provides a framework for the Generalist Model for social work practice with communities and organizations. It is the third in the series of Social Work Practice courses and includes the same focus as Social Work Practice I and II but applied to communities and organizations. Content focuses on macro practice which is professionally directed intervention designed to bring about planned change in organizations and communities.

Birth-Adolescence. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II are taught in a two part course format and serves as foundation sequence in the Social Work Program. SWK316, Human Behavior and the Social Environment I is a review of the biopsychosocial theories of development from birth to adolescence, while SKW317, Human Behavior in the Social Environment II covers theories of biopsychosocial development of adolescence through end of life. This course sequence is based upon the philosophy that human behavior is shaped by many interacting factors and specific theories from the biological, psychological, social and cultural theory base are presented in order to address the complexity of human functioning. At the same time, human behavior is conceptualized as following a developmental sequence with age-specific characteristics and needs. In order to present this knowledge base, selected theories are applied to each life cycle stage. In each state, special attention is given to the impact of oppression, discrimination, privilege, and the consequences of gender, socioeconomic status and minority group membership. These dimensions are viewed as interactional influences on individual behavior and the person as a member of a small group, community and of the large society and culture. This course uses general systems theory with an ecological focus to provide the organizing base to explore lifespan development.

This course continues the study of human behavior with an emphasis on psychosocial development and ethnic sensitive social work perspectives. Attention is given to the interaction and influences of the psychological and sociocultural dimensions of human behavior. These dimensions are viewed as interactional influences on individual behavior and the person as a member of a small group, community and of the large society and culture. Part II also emphasizes the multicultural component that is significant in social work practice.

This course focuses on the basic concepts inherent in the development, analysis, and implementation of social welfare policy. Course content includes examination of these concepts from micro, mezzo, and macro perspectives that emphasize the relationship between policy and direct practice. Historical influences, consequences, and current initiatives are reviewed, and various models and considerations for analysis are examined. Students may have the opportunity to observe legislative sessions at the State Capitol.

Field Practicum I is a required course that affords senior level students the opportunity to observe and begin practicing social work knowledge, values, ethics and skills. Students are assigned to a social service delivery system under direct supervision from a trained social work Field Educator. The overall objectives are for the student to acquire and demonstrate social work competencies through direct practice experiences. These competencies are set forth by the Council on Social Work and the WWU Social Work Program. The student is required to complete 250 hours in the social service delivery system. The emphasis in Field Practicum I is acclimation to organization structure, clientele, direct practice skills, interventions, documentation, agency and social welfare policies and community resources. Field Practicum I is the first practicum course in a concurrent sequence.

Field Practicum II is a required course for senior students and is a continuation of Field Practicum I. The student remains in the same social service delivery system and continues to observe and practice social work knowledge, values, ethics and skills. The overall objectives are for the student to acquire and demonstrate social work competencies as set forth by the Council on Social Work and the WWU Social Work Program. As the student has gained social service delivery experience from Field Practicum I, the student in this course will function with more professional autonomy. The emphasis is on the student consistently demonstrating all social work competencies. The student is required to complete 250 hours in the social service delivery system. Field Practicum II is the capstone course that concludes the sequence of the BSW degree. Prerequisite - SWK450

Senior Field Seminar is a required course taken in conjunction with SWK 450 during the senior year. The course provides a platform for students to identify social work competencies experienced in the social service delivery system. The emphasis in the Field Practicum I experience is acclimation to organization structure, clientele, direct practice skills, interventions, documentation, agency and social welfare policies and community resources. Students will demonstrate acquisition of these competencies through research, presentations, documentation, processing and problem-solving. Discussion of experiences in the classroom setting allows students to develop and strengthen a sense of professional self. Senior Field Seminar is the first seminar course in a concurrent sequence.

Senior Capstone Seminar is a required course for senior students and is a continuation of Senior Field Seminar I and taken in conjunction with SWK 451 during the senior year. The course provides a platform for students to continue identifying social work competencies experienced in the social service delivery system. An emphasis is placed on more professional autonomy. Through research, presentations, documentation, processing and problem-solving, the student examines competency development in relation to direct practice experiences. Discussion of experiences in the classroom setting allows students to develop and strengthen a sense of professional self. Senior Field Seminar II is the capstone course that concludes the sequence of the BSW degree. Prerequisite: SWK450