Course Descriptions

SOCW 101 : Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare - A, SO

An introduction to human need and the field of social work. Provides an overview of services, models of service delivery, and professional social work values. Students visit agency settings and meet with social work practitioners. A volunteer experience in the field is a required component of this seminar-style course. (4)

SOCW 175 : January on the Hill - A, SO

An intense experience of service and community work on Tacoma's Hilltop District and/or Tacoma's eastside where students learn firsthand about poverty and participate in community projects. (4)

SOCW 190 : FYEP190: Inquiry Seminar

A four-credit seminar to introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. Students practice the academic skills that are at the center of the General Education Program. (4)

SOCW 232 : Research Methods

This course will prepare students to demonstrate basic competencies in the knowledge, values, and skills of research methodology to analyze the social world. This includes problem formulation, research designs, measurement, sampling, interviewing, and critical evaluation of research in social work and the social sciences. Required for social work majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 101. (4)

SOCW 245 : Human Behavior and the Social Environment - SO

Students examine developmental theory through the lens of an ecological systems perspective and a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework, emphasizing power, privilege, and cultural differences (particularly race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation) as applied to individuals, families, groups, institutions, organizations, and communities locally and globally. Volunteer experience is required. (4)

SOCW 250 : Social Policy I: History of Social Welfare - SO

Exploration of power, privilege and oppression emphasizing political process and global social change in the development of the American welfare state and the profession of social work. Students reflect critically upon personal and social values, social welfare systems and their performance, the impact of political ideology and compromise on vulnerable populations, and the function of professional social work. (4)

SOCW 287 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 288 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 289 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 291 : Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

SOCW 320 : Child Welfare, A Global Perspective

An examination of child welfare, including child abuse and neglect; child welfare services, including CPS, permanency planning, foster care, adoption; and the current status of child well-being around the world, exploring the impact on children of such issues as poverty, war, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, access to education, access to health care, care for orphans, street children. (4)

SOCW 325 : Social, Educational, and Health Services in Tobago - C

Explore strengths and needs of Tobago and effects of history and colonialism on the development of community problems. Through service learning, interaction with agency staff and community members, readings and reflections, develop an understanding of the meaning of service in another culture and deepen one's own ethic of meaningful service. (4)

SOCW 350 : Social Policy II: Social Policy Analysis

Students develop legislative policy practice and advocacy skills, and examine the impact of policy implementation, administration, and governmental structure on services to vulnerable populations. Critical thinking is used to analyze contemporary global and local policy in income assistance, health/mental health, child welfare, homelessness, and services to seniors. Prerequisite: SOCW 250. (4)

SOCW 360 : Social Work Practice I: Interviewing and Overview of Generalist Practice

Students learn the conceptual framework of generalist practice and apply the ecological systems perspective to practice. This course introduces engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in the context of social work both locally and globally. Students are able to learn intentional interviewing skills and apply those skills within various models of practice and across cultures. Prerequisite: SOCW 245. (4)

SOCW 375 : Social Services in the Community

Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of work in a community setting. Through written work, students reflect on their experiences, their personal growth, and the mission of the agency. May be repeated for credit up to two semester hours. Prerequisite: SOCW 175 or 245 or 360. (1)

SOCW 387 : Special Topics in Social Work

Selected topics as announced by the department. Topics relevant to current trends and issues in the field of social work. (2 to 4)

SOCW 388 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 389 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 460 : Social Work Practice II: Families and Groups

Grounded in the framework of generalist social work practice, the second social work practice course examines theoretical models and practice skills for assessment and intervention with families and groups. Emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive practice. Introduces students to group dynamics and group development. Prerequisite: SOCW 245, 360. (4)

SOCW 465 : Social Work Practice III: Macropractice

Using the generalist social work practice framework, students develop engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation skills for local and global practice with organizations, and communities. As professional social workers, students map community assets, examine community development, and advocate for diverse and marginalized groups. Students recognize social service organizations as a changing context for professional practice and research. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 250, 350, 360, and 460. (4)

SOCW 475 : Field Experience I

Students are placed in social service agencies where, under supervision, they demonstrate the generalist skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of practice. They apply ethical principles in interactions with clients and staff, demonstrate critical thinking, engage and embrace diversity, demonstrate and apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 350, and 360; to be taken concurrently with SOCW 460 and 485; requires consent of instructor. (3)

SOCW 476 : Field Experience II

Continuation of SOCW 475. Students practice and refine the generalist skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Through their deepening identification with the social work profession, they analyze how their agency responds to changing contexts and reflect on ways to engage in policy and advocacy practice. Pass/Fail. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 465 and 486. (3)

SOCW 485 : Field Experience Seminar I

Students integrate the theories and skills from their coursework with experiences in their field settings, applying theories of human behavior and the social environment. They write and analyze a case and practice self-reflection by developing a plan to evaluate their own practice. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 475. (1)

SOCW 486 : Field Experience Seminar II

Students continue to grow in their professional identification and behavior. They make a formal case presentation to professional social workers, demonstrating their application of knowledge, values, and skills and their competence in engagement, assessment and intervention. They evaluate their own practice. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 476. (1)

SOCW 487 : Special Topics in Social Welfare

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 488 : Special Topics in Social Welfare

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 489 : Special Topics in Social Welfare

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 491 : Independent Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (1 to 4)

SOCW 495 : Internship

To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (1 to 12)

SOCW 498 : Capstone Proposal - SR

Students select a topic for their capstone, complete a preliminary literature review, and develop an outline for their final capstone, to be completed in SOCW 499. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 350, and 360. (1)

SOCW 499 : Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR

This integrative seminar requires students to explore a field of generalist practice across all of the competencies of the social work profession, including reciprocal relationships between research and practice, the policies that impact practice, global perspectives, typical ethical issues, role of diversity, evidence-based interventions and ways they may evaluate their practice. This culminates in a paper and public presentation. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 350, 360, 460, 475, 498, and SOCW 232 or SOCI 232. (3)