SOCIAL WORK COURSES (SOCW)
110 Introduction to the Social Work Experience (3)
An introduction to the profession of social work, its historical roots, its values, and its fields of practice. Topics include the field of social work, social welfare policy, social work values and ethics, the social work knowledge base, career opportunities, and current issues in social work. A minimum of 30 hours of supervised volunteer hours in an approved social service setting are required. Every semester.
199r Special Topics (1-4)
Individual or group projects. On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head. Maximum credit 4 hours.
201 Introduction to Social Policy and Programs (3)
This is an introduction to the social welfare system in the United States from both historical and philosophical perspectives. The course focuses on international aspects of social welfare as well as political issues. Every semester. Prerequisite: Social Work 110.
207 Interviewing Skills (3)
This is a pre-social work course required for admission to the program. Communication skills (oral and written) and technical skill in interviewing are emphasized. Students complete two video-taped interviews and evaluate their developing interviewing skills. Fall and spring semester. Prerequisite: Social Work 110.
210 The Family Experience: Matters of Ethnicity, Race, Class and Gender (3)
An examination of class, ethnic and racial diversity in the American family through the use of different conceptual perspectives. Every semester.
306 Social Work Practice I (3)
The first of a four-course foundation practice sequence. The course provides students with a theoretical framework for entry level, generalist social work practice with an emphasis on working with individuals and families. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Social Work 207, Sociology 151, Psychology 101. Pre- or Corequisite: Biology 121. Corequisites: Social Work 308, 312, 333.
307 Social Work Practice II (3)
The second of a four-course foundation practice sequence building on the base developed by the earlier practice material in Social Work 306 and 312. Social work with families and group process, practice theory and skills are emphasized along with international content. Prerequisites: Social Work 306, 308, 312, 333. Corequisites: Social Work 342, 376, 408.
308 Social Work Ability Seminar I (1)
Seminars are designed assist students with understanding the ability-based approach to learning and in becoming skilled at self-assessment. Seminar content will focus on the program’s ten core abilities. Students will learn methods for integrating projects from various courses into their E-Portfolios. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 207, Sociology 151, Psychology 101. Pre- or Corequisite: Biology 121. Corequisites: Social Work 306, 312, 333.
312 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3)
This is the first of a two semester sequence that builds on the liberal arts and required social work cognate course knowledge base. The course examines the various contexts for human behavior as well as the place of genetics and biology in the ecological perspective. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 207, Sociology 151, Psychology 101. Pre- or Corequisite: Biology 121. Corequisites: Social Work 306, 308, 333.
323 Child Welfare I (9)
This is the first in a series of two child welfare courses offered as part of the Tennessee Child Welfare Certification Program. The course introduces students to knowledge of child maltreatment and the juvenile justice system. It provides an overview of the child welfare system describing the history, policies, and programs, both state and federal. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Social Work 110 or any Sociology, Psychology or Anthropology course.
330 Mental Health Policy and Services (3)
This course provides a basic understanding of mental health and mental illness from a social work perspective. Students are given an overview of current mental health systems and the impact of local, state, and federal policy on delivery of services. The medical model and alternative systems of diagnosis are considered. On demand. Prerequisites: Social Work 306, 312.
333 Social Work Practice with Special Populations (4)
This is the third course in the practice sequence and covers how to implement evidence-based social work interventions congruent with culturally competent social work practice. Focus is on populations specific to the southeast area of Tennessee. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 207, Sociology 151, Psychology 101. Pre- or Corequisite: Biology 121. Corequisites: Social Work 306, 308, 312.
340 Social Work Healthcare Services and Policies (3)
This course provides a basic understanding of social work practice in medical and health-related settings. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary practice, diverse skills, roles, and functions of social workers in health care. Students are given an overview of current health policy and the impact of local, state, and federal policy on delivery of services. On demand. Prerequisites: Social Work 306, 312.
342 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3)
This is the second of a two semester sequence. A systems, person-in-environment, perspective will be emphasized, looking at the human development in the context of larger social conflicts associated with class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability status. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 306, 308, 312, 333. Corequisites: Social Work 307, 376, 408.
376 Introduction to Applied Research and Professional Writing (3)
An introduction to research methods and statistics with particular attention to examples from Social Work research. Students will become familiar with the complete research process including the application of statistics. A full range of alternative research designs, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, will be covered. Students will develop professional writing skills in APA style through various writing assignments. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 306, 308, 312, 333. Corequisites: Social Work 307, 342, 408.
407 Social Work Practice III (3)
The fourth of a four-course social work practice sequence, this course builds on and significantly expands the knowledge base and level of professional sophistication already attained by the student. The focus of the course is community practice and program evaluation. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 307, 342, 376, 408. Corequisites: Social Work 412, 413, 417.
408 Social Work Ability Seminar II (1)
Designed to assist social work majors with understanding the ability-based approach and becoming skilled at self-assessment. Seminar content will focus on the learning styles, self-assessment, and using feedback from multiple sources. Students will learn methods for integrating projects from various courses into their E-Portfolios and prepare for the Field Fair. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 306, 308, 312, 333. Corequisites: Social Work 307, 342, 376.
410 Social Work Policy and Practice (3)
This is the second in the two course social welfare sequence and builds upon the foundation provided in Social Work 201. It is designed to develop analytical skills and the ability to engage in critical thinking concerning social welfare programs, policies and issues. Focus is on critical assessment of current social welfare policies and structure. Political elements in social welfare policy development and implementation will also be explored. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Social Work 407, 412, 413, 417. Corequisites: Social Work 441, 442, 476, 490.
412 Field Education I (4)
This is the first course of the two part Field Education experience. The course provides an opportunity for students to apply practice theory to the development of generalist practice skills, and to become familiar with agency structures, functions, and programs. A minimum 15 hours per week in the agency setting required; the last 30 hours may be used for completing the agency-based research project. Prerequisites: Social Work 307, 342, 376, 408; a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum 2.50 major GPA. Corequisites: Social Work 407, 413, 417.
