Social Work Liberal Arts Area of Interest

This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces students to a sociological examination of contemporary social problems. Specifically, this course focuses on the interconnection of various social problems, the significance of social inequality in creating and maintaining social problems, and the roles of both human agency and social policy in providing solutions to these problems.

Lecture Hours: 48

Marriage and family is studied from a sociological viewpoint. Content areas focus on the history of family, gender roles, power in relationships, diverse family structures, and functions of the family and dysfunctions. This course examines courtship and marriage, family life cycle, parenthood, interpersonal relationships, and marital adjustments. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze the family as a social institution, and identify social forces which influence its development and change.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides a basic background on historical and contemporary perspectives on death and dying. Attention is given to current American practices regarding death, as well as cross-cultural interpretation. Emphasis is also placed on the special situation of the terminally ill and bereaved.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides basic understanding of how American system of social services and the social work profession combine in order to meet the personal and social needs of persons who have been classified as ?at risk? and in need of public assistance. Concepts relevant to social welfare, social change, social support, and structure are examined, including but not limited to legal aspects, systemic and professional goals and values, and various statuses and roles. In addition, various models and theories related to social work and social services will be examined.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course focuses on students gaining an understanding and beginning mastery of interpersonal and interactional helping skills utilized by social workers in practice. The organization of the course and the learning methods used focus on both didactic and experiential learning. The content of the course is taught through lecture, discussion, and interactional sessions in which the students learn through individual and group exercises, role play, and activity experiences.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in SOC-160 Introduction to Social Work.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Passing grade in SOC-181 Field Experience.

This course provides students with a beginning “hands-on” experience to examine the operations of a social service agency, to observe the functions and activities of social service workers, and to develop entry-level social service skills with clients. Students will complete a field experience with a social service agency and provided professional supervision by an agency representative who has the educational and professional experience in the student’s field of interest. This initial field experience is helpful to students in determining the compatibility of their own values, personal qualities, skills, and level of commitment to the social work practice. Students will have the opportunity to assess their field experience to make an informed decision on future educational and career plans.

Lab Hours: 32

Pre/Co-requisite(s): Minimum grade of C in SOC-180 Social Work Interactional Skills.

This course examines racial and ethnic relations in the United States. Basic sociological concepts will be applied to historical and contemporary experiences of racial and ethnic groups, with particular attention paid to minority groups.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides an introduction to the sociological study of group relations in the United States. The focus will be on race, class, and gender. However, other identities (such as religion, sexual orientation, age, and abilities) will also be explored. Students will gain a better understanding of the relationship between individuals and society, as well as the experiences of various minority groups.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces the student to a comparative study of societies around the world. In this course cultural similarities and differences are explored to illustrate how human beings construct and conduct their existence. It emphasizes the origin and maintenance of the human species by studying its evolution, cultural development, ecology, kinship, organizations, and symbolic expressions. (Same as ANT-105)

Lecture Hours: 48

This introductory gerontology course examines the influence of an aging society, explores the process of aging, old age as a stage of life and the impact of aging both personally and on society as a whole.

Lecture Hours: 48

Provides an introduction to the study of the interrelationship between the individual and social behavior with emphasis in the areas of social cognition, attribution, attitudes, group behavior, prejudice and discrimination, and interpersonal relationships. Basic psychological and sociological perspectives and research findings will be reviewed to better understand individual and social behavior.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): PSY-111, SOC-110, or instructor approval.

This course explores the biological, psychological, social, cultural and historical forces that influence human relationships and sexuality. Research and theory are utilized to examine the diversity of human sexual expression.

Lecture Hours: 48