Courses

Visit the most current online version of the Undergraduate Catalog
for up to date Course Descriptions and Prerequisites

SW 200 Introduction to Social Work & Soc Welfare Services (3 credits)

This course is designed to introduce students academically and experientially to social work professional practice and the wide spectrum of social welfare services available in public, non-profit and proprietary settings.  SW 200 offers the students an introduction to the knowledge base, skills, and values which underlie the practice of social work. In addition to classes, field experience in a human service setting for 30 hours over the semester is required.  The course will use students’ agency based field experiences as the basis for examining service delivery systems. The generalist model of social work practice will be used as a basis for teaching and learning.  Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW 210 Social Welfare as an Institution (3 credits)

This course, which is the first in a two-part social policy sequence, provides an historical and analytical assessment of social welfare as an institution, using a framework of social theories and definitions of social welfare conditions, policy goals, program design, and service delivery. It examines the evolution of social welfare in the United States as compared to other countries.  It also examines domestic social institutions, identifying ways to improve social functioning and alleviate oppressive conditions. The functions of social work as a profession are explored in areas such as income security, family and children’s services, health care services, and programs for persons with disabilities and for older persons.  Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW 215 Human Behavior & Social Environment (3 credits)

The focus of this course is on the interrelatedness of genetic, biological, emotional, societal, and environmental conditions, and on the values that foster or impede social functioning and their effects on individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and society.  Prerequisites: SOC 100, and BIO 100 or BIO 132, or permission of instructor.

SW 220 Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Emphasizing the Connecticut region, this course analyzes and develops an understanding of human diversity in professional social work practice.  The focus is on deepening the knowledge of self and others. Theoretical approaches, case studies, and experiential exercises are used.  Prerequisites: SOC 100, or permission of instructor. 

SW 245 Child Welfare in U.S. Society (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the concept of child welfare as it has developed historically and as it is currently instituted through federal, state, and local policies and practices in public, non-profit, and proprietary settings. Students will examine government decisions and directives affecting/creating child welfare policy.  They will also apply research findings, professional literature, and practice models to enhance their understanding of child welfare services.  Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW 250 AIDS: A Social Work Perspective

Check back for course description or consult online catalog.

SW 260 Aging: Impact, Needs, and Services (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to gerontology, focusing on the physical, psychological, social, emotional, and environmental aspects of aging.  It also provides an overview of social policies and issues affecting older persons and social programs for older persons.  Prerequisite: SOC 100.

SW 270W Writing for Human Services and Health care professions (3 credits)

This Writing Intensive (W) course is designed for students intending to pursue a professional career in such fields as social work, education, nursing, and other health services.  Using a writing-to-learn approach, students will respond in writing to a range of texts from across disciplines and genres in order to deepen their understanding, exercise critical thinking, and enhance clarity of written communication in the human service and health care professions.  The class may make use of shared writing and reading, small group exercises, and other peer reading and responses.  All readings and exercises will reflect professional values and concerns.  Prerequisites: ENG 101 or permission of the instructor.

SW 299 Student Developed Study

Prerequisite: Permission of faculty sponsor and department.

SW 300 Social Work Research (3 credits)

This course introduces students to research concepts and skills relevant to generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes.  The purpose of this course is to prepare generalist social workers to: read, interpret, critique, and generate social work research; utilize research skills to evaluate and enhance practice; and contribute to the development of social work knowledge.  Prerequisites: SW 200 and MAT 100.  Open only to social work majors

SW 305 Social Work Field Practicum (2 credits)

This 13-week, 104-hour supervised field practicum provides students with an agency based generalist social work practice experience.  Prerequisite: Junior standing in the major and permission of Dept. Chair.  Co-requisites: SW 306 and SW 309. Spring semester.

SW 306 Social Work Junior Seminar (1 credit)

This seminar is designed to provide students with an opportunity to conceptualize and evaluate field experiences, participate in collaborative peer learning and integrate the field experience with the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of generalist social work practice.  Co-requisites: Junior standing in the major, SW 305, and SW 309. Spring Semester.

SW 309 Social Work Methods I (3 credits)

Utilizing the conceptual frameworks of generalist social work practice, this course focuses on the development of interpersonal and interviewing skills, values, and ethic of the profession, and the professional knowledge base.  Professional use of self is also emphasized. Prerequisite: Acceptance into Junior Standing in the Department.

 Co-requisites: SW 305 and SW 306. This course requires registration permission of the Department of Social Work Chair.  Spring Semester.

SW 310 Social Work Methods II (3 credits)

 This course is a continuation of SW 309. Generalist social work methods, skills, ethics and values, and roles will be examined in greater depth.  Emphasis is on learning models of practice and developing a range of interventions, with focus on conceptual understanding and development of generalist practice skills.  The use of self in professional relationships with diverse client systems and within organizational settings will also be emphasized.  Prerequisites: SW 309 and acceptance into senior standing in the Department. Co-requisites: SW 315 and SW 320. Fall semester.

SW 311 Social Work Methods III (3 credits)

This course is a continuation of SW 310.  Emphasis is on differential application of conceptual models of practice, interventions with diverse client systems, greater development of professional skills, and the values and ethics of the profession. Professional use of self is further enhanced. Prerequisites: SW 310 and SW 320.  Co-requisites: SW 316 and SW 321.  Spring semester.

SW 315 Community Organizing Project I (3 credits)

The Community Organizing Project two-course sequence is designed to provide an opportunity for students to gain supervised macro level practice experience while addressing an issue of concern on campus or in the community.  This first course helps students to conceptualize community organizing practice, while applying generalist models of practice.  Emphasis is on issue selection, project planning, participation in and understanding of group processes. Prerequisite: Acceptance into Senior standing in the major.  Co-requisites: SW 310 and SW 320.  Fall semester.

SW 316 Community Organizing Project II (2 credits)

This is the second course in the Community Organizing Project two-course sequence. Emphases this semester are on harnessing resources, implementation and evaluation of the planned campus and/or community project, and the participation in and evaluation of the group processes.  Prerequisite: SW 315.  Spring semester.

SW 320 Soc Work Field Practicum & Seminar (3 credits)

This is the first of a two-semester field experience in a social service agency.  The field practicum is for 16 hours per week over a period of thirteen (13) weeks, and attendance at a two-hour weekly seminar is required each semester. The practicum is designed to provide students with direct experience in the actual delivery of social services within an assigned setting under the supervision of a professional social worker. Students will be actively involved in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The seminar gives students the opportunity to conceptualize their experiences, apply knowledge to practice, and participate in peer learning. Prerequisite: Acceptance into senior standing in the Department. Co-requisites: SW 310, SW 315, and SW 325.

SW 321 Soc Work Field Practicum & Seminar (6 credits)

This is the second of a two-semester field experience in a social service agency.  The field practicum is for 16 hours per week over a period of fifteen (15) weeks, with a required two-hour weekly seminar.  This is an advanced field experience course with emphasis on deepening and broadening the student’s direct service skills and professional commitment. The seminar provides students with further opportunities to conceptualize their field experiences and engage in evaluation of their own practice. It also provides a forum for discussion of practice questions and issues, as well as postgraduate planning opportunities.  Prerequisite: SW 320. Co-requisites: SW 311, SW 316, and SW 350.

SW 325 Senior Seminar on Policies & Issues (2 credits)

This course builds on the historical examination of social welfare policies and programs as begun in SW 210. Definitions of social policies, ways in which policies are promulgated, developed, and implemented, and issues which lack policy direction will be addressed. Additionally, students learn how to analyze social policies, the interrelationships among research, policy and program development, the dynamic relationship between policy and practice, how to advocate for change, and how to engage in policy practice.  Prerequisite: PS 102 and senior standing in the Department. Co-requisites: SW 310, SW 315, and SW 320.

SW 350 Senior Integrative Seminar (3 credits)

This is a capstone course for social work majors. Taken in the last semester of study, the course is designed to allow students to demonstrate their mastery of the social work curriculum by applying their expertise to cases, thereby reflecting an integrated understanding of the values, knowledge, and skills of the profession. Prerequisite: Senior standing in the Department.  Co-requisites: SW 311, SW 316, and SW 321.  Spring Semester.

SW 398 Faculty Developed Study

From time to time any academic department may offer an experimental course to determine its value to the total departmental program or in response to a particular request from a group of students.