Courses in Social Welfare
R SSW 200 The Functioning of American Social Systems (3)
Students are provided with an overview of the functions and relationships of various systems within contemporary American society. The configuration of values underlying system activities is examined, including methods of changing human systems. A social systems perspective is used as the theoretical framework for the course.
R SSW 210 Social Welfare in the United States (3)
Within the context of societal responsiveness to human needs, this course examines U.S. social welfare policies and programs as influenced by economic, political, and social changes. Addresses current public and private social welfare efforts and underlying value issues. Examines the role of professional social work within social welfare. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors only.
R SSW 220 Value Issues in Social Welfare (3)
The course considers implicit and explicit values of societal responses to human needs. From an examination of selected topics in social welfare, the course considers social, economic, ethical, religious, and/or personal values as they affect and are affected by social welfare. May not be offered in 2010-2011.
R SSW 290 Community and Public Service Program (3)
This course requires a minimum of 100 hours per semester (about 7 1/2 hours per week) of volunteer work in public or private agencies which provide service to the community. A supervised evaluation and seminars are required. Prerequisite(s): at least sophomore standing and permission of instructor. S/U graded.
R SSW 291 Human Service in the Community (2)
This course requires a minimum of 60 hours a quarter volunteer work in public or private agencies that provide service to the community. A supervised evaluation and seminars are required. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor. S/U graded.
T SSW 295 Community Change in a Globalizing World (3)
Community Change in a Globalizing World is an undergraduate social work course (honors) designed to explore and critically evaluate a range of ways that groups work toward community change - domestically, transnationally, and globally. The course is concerned with endeavors initiated by grassroots organizations and non-governmental/non-profit organizations; some of the principal actors are low-income people, students, neighborhoods, identity groups, and community change professionals. Throughout the course, students work to define what community means, explore the implications of globalization, and analyze their own social standpoint as global citizens. Open to Honors College students only.
R SSW 301 Human Behavior and The Social Environment (3)
Knowledge of human behavior and the social environment as a basis for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Includes theoretical and empirical knowledge about the range of normal bio-psycho-social development and the nature and impact of oppression and discrimination on individuals and families throughout the life course. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor. For majors only.
R SSW 305 Social Work Practice I (3)
Introduction to social work practice. Overview of generalist social work practice; history, values, and ethics of social work; role of social work; the helping process in a systems framework; self-awareness and professional use of self; introduction to basic communication skills and social work practice skills with diverse clients; effects of oppression and social injustice. For majors only.
R SSW 306 Social Work Practice II (3)
This course is a continuation of R SSW 305: Social Work Practice I. Students will be introduced to the generalist helping processes of engagement and assessment with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; basic social work and professional skills in engagement and assessment with diverse clients; the effects of oppression and injustice in engaging and assessing populations at risk. Prerequisite(s): grades of C or higher in R SSW 301 and 305.
R SSW 322 Introductory Research Methods in Social Welfare (3)
Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods in social work, including content on: defining social work research problems, developing and testing hypotheses, the logic of causal inference, sampling, measurement (including reliability and validity), basic skills in data analysis and research utilization, the ethics of research, and research issues concerning human diversity and power. Emphasizes methods and content relevant to social work practice and the problems of social welfare. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor. For majors only.
R SSW 390 Community and Public Service Program 2 (3)
This is a service-learning course that builds on prior community service experience by asking students to think critically about their community service experience through the lens of the scholarly literature. Each student is required to engage in 100 hours of service at a not-for-profit or public organization. Each student is also required to read selected articles and reflect on their experience by responding to discussion questions and writing a critical reflective essay. Prerequisite(s): R SSW 290 and permission of instructor.
R SSW 400 Field Instruction in Social Welfare I (4)
Internship in an approved social welfare agency and attendance at a weekly seminar to discuss professional and practice issues. Students are in field 16 hours per week supervised by approved field instructors. Prerequisite(s): grades of C or higher in R SSW 301, 305, 306, 322; concurrent with 405Z. For majors only. S/U graded.
R SSW 405Z Social Work Practice III (3)
Continuation of R SSW 306. The generalist helping processes of contracting and basic intervention with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; special social work and professional skills in contracting and intervention with diverse clients; application of theory and research to practice in contracting and basic interventions; effects of oppression and injustice in contracting and intervening with populations at risk. Includes development of written and oral communication skills: course meets general education upper level writing and oral discourse requirements. Prerequisite(s): grade of C or better in R SSW 306. Concurrent with R SSW 400. For majors only.
R SSW 406 Social Work Practice IV (3)
This course is a continuation of R SSW 405. The focus of this course is the generalist helping process of advanced intervention, evaluation, and termination with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; specialized social work and professional skills in intervention, evaluation, and termination with diverse clients; application of theory and research to practice in advanced intervention, evaluation, and termination in concurrent field placement; effects of oppression and injustice in intervening, evaluating, and terminating with populations at risk. Prerequisite(s): grade of C or better in R SSW 405Z. Concurrent with R SSW 410. For majors only.
R SSW 408 Organizational and Community Theory (3)
An introduction to social work practice at the organizational and community levels, with emphasis on oppressed populations. Includes the history of communities, organizations, and macro-practice in social work; major approaches to organizational behavior and community dynamics; the nature of non-clinical social work; the organizational and community contexts for the provision of social services; and skills for working in organizations and communities. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor, R SSW 210 and 301. For majors only.
R SSW 409 Introduction to Social Policy Analysis (3)
Within an historical context, current social welfare policies and programs will be examined in terms of their rationale, implementation, and effectiveness. The strengths, limitations, and alternatives to governmental intervention in social welfare. Emphasis on concepts and frameworks for analyzing social welfare policies and programs, with special attention to their differential impact on at-risk and oppressed populations. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor, R SSW 408. For majors only.
R SSW 410 Field Instruction in Social Welfare II (4)
Continuation of R SSW 400. Internship in an approved social welfare agency. Hours per week are set to meet acceptable professional standards. Must be taken concurrently with R SSW 406. Prerequisite(s): grade of C or higher in R SSW 405Z and 408; grade of S in R SSW 400. S/U graded.
R SSW 450 Independent Study in Social Welfare (1-3)
Independent reading or research on a selected experimental, theoretical, or applied problem is planned under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): written permission of instructor and chair of undergraduate program. May be repeated for credit when content varies.
R SSW 499 Special Areas of Social Welfare (3)
Consideration of a topic or issue in the field of social work knowledge or practice is selected on the basis of faculty and student interest. May be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.
