An overview of the many and varied roles in which social workers function in today's society. Reviews the historical development of the profession, its various fields of practice, the profession's code of ethics, and covers current national and local issues. Fifteen hours of volunteer work outside of class are required. Required course for social work majors and social welfare minors; open to all University students, but freshmen and sophomores preferred. Offered in the fall and spring semesters.
The purpose of this course, which is required for social work majors, is to orient social work majors to the School of Social Work (SSW), professional writing standards, and other basic professional skills. Students will learn about establishing an educational plan, professional etiquette, career preparation, self-care, steps in applying for admission to the professional program, campus resources, basic skills in professional writing, and basic knowledge and skills relevant to professional social work practice, including licensure, professional etiquette, and self-care.
Social Work 105 is an introductory course that presents a comprehensive overview of the profession of social work and social workers’ roles in contemporary society. This course is designed for students seeking advanced professional orientation and development in social work. This honors course is designed to provide a critical examination of the profession's values and Code of Ethics and the major fields of social work practice. Students examine the professions’s response to populations-at-risk, including people of color, women, older adults, children and adolescents, gays and lesbians, and low income populations. Each student completes a 30 clock hour service learning assignment in a social service agency. The course provides a broad base of information for further social work education and helps students decide if social work is an appropriate career for them to pursue.
This course provides students with an opportunity to explore and critically evaluate the historical development and change of a broad range of social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States and the philosophical bases for the provision of various social welfare services to persons throughout the life course. Social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States have developed, changed, and evolved dramatically throughout history, so this course explores this development and change over a major period of time, from the colonial period to today. Major consideration is given to the development of social welfare programs and services within a social, cultural, political, and economic context, with particular attention to influential social values in the United States; and, as such, students will be expected to utilize critical thinking skills, as they analyze and evaluate major issues affecting the provision of social welfare programs and services to vulnerable and oppressed population, synthesizing primary and secondary source documents to argue a point clearly. Social welfare and social work, historically, are intrinsically linked so the development of social work and its connection to a variety of social welfare programs and institutions will be discussed; however, the focus of this course is historically broad and does not delve into intricacies of social work or professional skills.
SW 205 is open to all students in the honors college at the university and provides students with an opportunity to explore and critically evaluate the historical development and change of a broad range of social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States and the philosophical bases for the provision of various social welfare services to persons throughout the life course. Social welfare policies, programs, and services in the United States have developed, changed, and evolved dramatically throughout history, so this course explores this development and change over a major period of time, from the colonial period to today. Major consideration is given to the development of social welfare programs and services within a social, cultural, political, and economic context, with particular attention to influential social values in the United States; and, as such, students will utilize critical thinking skills, as they analyze and evaluate major issues affecting provision of social welfare programs and services to vulnerable and oppressed populations, synthesizing primary and secondary source documents to argue a point clearly. Social welfare and social work, historically, are intrinsically linked so the development of social work and its connection to a variety of social welfare programs and institutions will be discussed; however, the focus of this course is historically broad and does not delve into intricacies of social work or professional skills.
This course provides students with knowledge of the field of aging with a primary focus on social gerontology. An overview is provided of the characteristics of the elderly and the biological, physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Emphasis is placed on selected issues confronting the general elderly population.
Examination of the nature and extent of delinquency. Theories of causation and the structure and function of courts are explored. Emphasis placed on prevention, control, and interventions with juvenile offenders and their families.
Examines the current situation in services for children and families. Gives an overview of services designed to strengthen families, as well as those that provide substitute care of children when the family is unable to meet this responsibility.
Analysis of a variety of issues and problems presented by death, dying, and grief in American culture, with some comparison to other cultures. Examines attitudes and responses to death and the perspectives of children and adults.
This course provides a thorough examination of an important topic in social work. The area under examination varies from semester to semester.
Clear and effective communication skills are necessary for social service delivery. This course assists students with acquiring and improving professional writing skills. Students in this class will practice writing skills necessary for serving clients in a variety of practice settings. These skills include drafting client-centered case documentation, writing goals and objectives, using technology to find evidence that informs service delivery, and advocating for clients in writing.
The nature and development of volunteerism in human services in the United States plus current trends in the use of volunteers is discussed. Each student is assigned to a human service agency in order to experience the role of being a volunteer.
This course examines issues related to the lived experiences of people based on age, culture, race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status/class, ability, religion/spirituality, and national origin. It is designed to introduce the student to social, economic, and political systems of power that serve to oppress communities that have been minoritized. This course has the University Core Curriculum 'W' designation. “Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.”.
This course examines issues related to the lived experiences of people based on age, culture, race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status/class, ability, religion/spirituality, and national origin. It is designed to introduce the student to social, economic, and political systems of power that serve to oppress communities that have been minoritized. This course has the University Core Curriculum 'W' designation. “Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.”.
This course enables students to develop beginning skill in the analysis of social welfare policies and programs. The course builds on the basic knowledge of the history and philosophy of social welfare programs students have acquired in the prerequisite course, SW 200 or SW 205. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
This course is designed to enable the student to develop skill in the analysis of social welfare policies and programs. The course builds on the basic knowledge of the history and philosophy of social welfare programs students have acquired in the prerequisite course, SW 205. In this course, special attention is given to evidence regarding the effects of policies on persons subject to economic deprivation, discrimination, and oppression. Current policies and policy issues in Alabama and the southeast are emphasized, with a focus on social work values and human diversity. This course has the University Core Curriculum “W” designation. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course.
This is the first course in a two-semester sequence that that uses a life course perspective as a framework for preparing students with knowledge of theories that support beginning-level generalist practice. It explores the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and social environments. This first course focuses on the development of the individual from conception through adolescence.
Drug and alcohol use and abuse are deeply interwoven into the psychosocial and economic fabric of American society. This course will introduce the student to major theories of addiction as well as the physiological and psychological results of substance abuse. State and federal policies regarding control of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco will also be discussed. The effects of chemical dependency on special populations, including ethnic minorities, people of color, gays and lesbians, dually diagnosed, the elderly, and women will be reviewed.
This course presents information concerning criteria used in assessing mental disorders from infancy through older adulthood. It also provides information about the prevalence and etiology of psychiatric disorders. The impact of mental disorders on clients, their families, and communities is discussed; and students are provided with a brief overview of intervention including the use of psychopharmacology. The course also provides students tools by which they learn to recognize the risk of error within the assessment process, and learn to recognize the potential for bias that can result when assessment tools are inaccurately applied across cultural, ethnic, racial, and other groups.
For students interested in international issues of social welfare and social justice, the course introduces international social work. The course is open to Social Work students as well students from other disciplines. The purpose of this class is to expose students to a wide range of internationally focused issues regarding human well-being and human rights along with contemporary debate on those issues. In this class, students will gain a deeper understanding of international social work and social development issues including global health development, governmental and non-governmental development agencies, role of social work in development, environmental politics, empowerment versus handout, along with resource sharing issues associated with poverty, world hunger, land use, and costs of globalization.
Basic research methods for the generalist social worker. Focuses on the role of research in building knowledge, critical assessment of research reports, use of research techniques, and application of research findings to generalist social work practice.
Basic research methods for the generalist social worker. This honors class focuses on the role of research in building knowledge, critical assessment of research reports, use of research techniques, and application of research findings to generalist social work practice.
Social Work 440 is the first in a sequence of four practice courses required for the BSW degree. The sequence is designed to prepare students for generalist practice. The course focuses on practice with individuals and families. The course emphasizes professional relationships that are characterized by mutuality, collaboration and respect for clients. The course addresses development of self-awareness, identification of personal values, and the potential for ethical dilemmas resulting from conflicting values. The content is intended to develop the knowledge and skills needed to enable individuals and families to reach their potential through a problem-solving approach. Issues of aging, poverty, sexism, racism, and heterosexism are addressed in each unit of study. This course has the University Core Curriculum 'W' designation. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course. A student who does not write with the skill normally required of an upper-division student will not earn a passing grade, no matter how well the student performs in other areas of the course. Online sections of this course require concurrent enrollment in SW 440 skills lab.
This is a required course in the practice area of the undergraduate social work program. It is designed to provide fundamental knowledge of and skills for generalist social work practice with groups. It is consistent with generalist practice in its use of a problem-solving approach. The generalist social worker must have the ability to assess problems, plan and implement appropriate multi-method intervention with client systems of various sizes and types. The course gives attention to the range of group affiliations, life events and life transitions and their potential impact on various sized systems. It emphasizes the values and ethics of the social work profession, including respect for the positive value of diversity. The knowledge and skills gained in the course should enable the student to be an effective member and leader of groups.Online sections of this course require concurrent enrollment in SW 441 skills lab.
This course is one of three required social work practice courses offered in the professional foundation year of the BSW program. It is designed to help students understand generalist social work practice in and with communities and organizations. SW 442 introduces students to selected macro practice models that emphasize client strengths, empowerment, and resident-driven approaches to engagement, assessment and intervention at the community and organizational levels. The practice models selected for this course explicitly address poverty, inequality and social injustice, give attention to an appreciation of human diversity, and respect for the dignity and worth of the individual.Online sections of this course require concurrent enrollment in SW 442 skills lab.
Required course designed to accompany field placement. Seeks to assist students in integrating foundation content with field experience, with emphasis on generalist practice. Offered only in the fall semester.
This course is designed to prepare social work students for the integrated and experiential learning of a social work field placement. As the profession’s signature pedagogy, field education socializes students to perform the role of practitioner making the connection between the theoretical and conceptual classroom content and the practice setting. The approach to making this connection requires taking classroom knowledge, skills, and values and applying these concepts through a process of reflection and analysis. This course focuses on the salient concepts and issues that commonly pose challenges in the field setting. This is a required course and must be completed before SW 443 or SW 445 and SW 490. Successful completion of this course requires a grade of C- or higher.
This seminar provides structured learning opportunities that enable students to complete their Capstone Honors Project. Students will apply in-depth knowledge of generalist social work practice to projects that emphasize values consistent with the social work profession. Although the projects will vary in scope, the expected results will be improvement in the bio-psychosocial functioning in individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities. While students will be evaluated individually, it is expected that students will have opportunities to work in teams and groups to accomplish the specific goals of the projects while enrolled in SW 445.
Junior standing Special topics.
Planned field experience in which the student is placed in a community service agency for a minimum of 32 hours a week, working under the joint instruction of the agency and the School of Social Work. For senior social work majors only. Offered in the fall semester only.
An opportunity for individual students or groups of students to assume liberal responsibility for developing their own learning objectives in conjunction with a faculty member who has expertise in the area, and for pursuing these objectives in relation to a social welfare program or function. By permission of the instructor, program chair, and associate dean. Permission must be obtained during the preceding semester.