Social Work Courses
Social Work 102, Credits: 3
This course is an introduction to the history and philosophy of social welfare, to social work and other helping professions, and to social institutions so that the students may enlarge their liberal arts education, gain understanding of contemporary social welfare problems and services, and begin to evaluate their personal values and convictions about social welfare issues. A service learning experience is required of all students, providing a hands-on exploration into their selected area of social services. Required for all social work majors.
Social Work 235, Credits: 3
This course is a survey of social services for children: the problems treated, an assessment of the effectiveness of current services, and consideration of alternative service programs.
Social Work 291, Credits: 1-3
Variable topics. Faculty-led courses abroad.
Social Work 301, Credits: 1
This course presents the principles of assertiveness training, uses experiential exercises to help students learn to present themselves more assertively, and prepares students to assist others to become more assertive. Content is focused on students who are planning a career in the helping professions.
Social Work 302, Credits: 1
This course focuses on issues such as adjustment to the death of someone close, helping someone who is terminally ill, and coping with other losses--such as cherished relationships. The grief counseling content is intended for students who are planning a career in the helping professions.
Social Work 303, Credits: 1
This course focuses on recognizing signs of destructive stress and the stages of burnout in the helping professions. Instruction is given in using a number of techniques for coping with stress such as meditation, relaxation training, time management, social support systems, biofeedback, and life planning as they apply to the helping professions.
Social Work 311, Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the processes of bio-psycho and socio-cultural development from infancy to young adulthood. Material is also presented on the social systems (families, groups, organizations, and communities) in which individuals live.
Social Work 312, Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the processes of bio-psycho and socio-cultural development from middle adulthood through old age. Material is also presented on the social systems (mezzo and macro) in which individuals live.
Social Work 325, Credits: 3
This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the knowledge and skills necessary for working with children and adolescents including assessment and interview of this population, child welfare policy (Wisconsin Juvenile Code), practice settings (i.e. group homes), etc. The major emphasis will be on populations at risk (emotional problems, abuse/neglect, gay/lesbian, etc.) with a focus on current intervention approaches.
Social Work 330, Credits: 3
This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills necessary to work with the court system and advocate for their clients within that system. Chapters 48, 51, 55, and 938 and court testimony will be explained. Students will follow a case, make decisions around their case and write court reports throughout the course.
Social Work 337, Credits: 3
This course is designed to introduce the student to social and physical factors related to aging. It will include information regarding social services needed to assist the older person and an analysis of gaps in current services.
Social Work 341, Credits: 3
This comprehensive course is designed to add to students' knowledge and comfort in the area of human sexuality. Multi-media, lecture, and small group discussion techniques are used to explore issues as basic treatment skills, sex education, developmental sexuality, problem pregnancies, and common sexual dysfunctions.
Social Work 350, Credits: 3
This course focuses on introducing students to the basic principles of psychotropic medication and their role when working with clients taking psychotropic medication. Basic neuropsychological principles and diagnostic groups involving various classes of psychopharmacological medications will be discussed. It will introduce the student to medical terminology and the medical field.
Social Work 371, Credits: 3
This course presents contemporary theoretical approaches to social work practice with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities. This course uses a competency approach to assess and develop student interviewing and interpersonal skills, emphasizing social work practice with individuals.
Social Work 372, Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills needed to engage in generalist social work practice, including further development of interviewing and interpersonal skills. The course has an emphasis on social work practice with groups and communities.
Social Work 380, Credits: 3
The course is designed to help students develop a greater understanding of the influence of one's race and ethnicity on the ways individuals perceive the world and the ways they are treated by others and by society. Within the framework of the helping professions, students will have the opportunity to examine their attitudes toward members of racial and ethnic minorities, develop ways to learn about the participation in and treatment of racial and ethnic minority groups in work, education, and social services, and examine ways to affect one's own attitudes and society to achieve social justice.
Social Work 402, Credits: 3
This course is designed to familiarize the student with basic concepts of social work research methodology and statistics, computer usage, to develop competence in evaluating research literature and to develop beginning skills in evaluating social work practice.
Social Work 440, Credits: 3
The class emphasis is on 1) facilitating stress management in others, 2) coping with "deep" stress susch as trauma and low self-esteem, and 3) alternative avenues for coping such as Tai Chi, yoga, art therapy, and meditation. This course is appropriate for anyone in the helping professions.
Social Work 462, Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge about the process of social welfare policy formulation and implementation and with policy analysis skills. The effects of social welfare policies and organizations on both clients (especially the poor and minorities) and on social workers will be emphasized.
Social Work 473, Credits: 3
This course will cover advanced problem solving approaches for intervention with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The class will utilize simulated practice situations. The course has an emphasis on social work practice with families and organizations.
Social Work 490, Credits: 1-6
Variable topics. Group activity oriented presentations emphasizing `hands on` and participatory instructional techniques. Repeatable. Instructor Consent required.
Social Work 491, Credits: 1-3
Variable topics. Faculty-led courses abroad.
Social Work 493, Credits: 3-12
Students are placed in a community agency under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Students are expected to develop an in-depth understanding of agency activities and programs and will assume increasing levels of responsibility as beginning social workers. Attendance at periodic field placement meetings is expected. This course may be taken as a block placement (12 credits) for one semester or summer, or over two semesters at 6 credits per semester. A total of 480 hours in the agency is required in either option. PREREQ: All other required social work courses must be completed, and consent of instructor.
Social Work 494, Credits: 3
Variable topics. Group activity. An advanced course of study in a defined subject matter area emphasizing a small group in intense study with a faculty member. Repeatable.
Social Work 496, Credits: 1-3
Variable topics. Group activity. Not offered regularly in the curriculum but offered on topics selected on the basis of timeliness, need, and interest, and generally in the format of regularly scheduled Catalog offerings. Repeatable.
Social Work 497, Credits: 1-12
Variable topics.
Social Work 498, Credits: 1-3
Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable.
Social Work 498R, Credits: 1-3
Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable
Social Work 499, Credits: 3
This two semester course must be taken by students in the general honors program. Students explore any topic in the field of social welfare under direction of faculty representing disciplines involved. Students must have invitation from the staff.
