Department of Social Work

SOWK 1380 - Family Dynamics (3 Credits)

This course critically examines the theoretical assumptions of the neo-liberal school of economics and presents other options in the area of both economic theory and political economy.

SOWK 1385 - Careers in Social Work (3 Credits)

This course focuses on the various roles and functions social workers perform and highlights the dynamisms and vitality of the social work profession.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 2211 - Social Policy I (3 Credits)

This first of two courses in social policy explores the concepts related to the history, purpose, and current structures of social welfare and services, its ideologies, and the values regarding the role of government and social welfare policy, and the role of the social work practice in the development of social policy. Students will recognize and understand the social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2412 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 2310 and SOWK 1385 and SOWK 3381

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 2310 - Self Awareness (3 Credits)

This course is designed to address self-awareness and effective learning that is necessary to become an effective professional social work practitioner. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2412

Corequisites: SOWK 2412, SOWK 3381, SOWK 3441, SOWK 3443

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 2411 - The Social Work Profession (3 Credits)

SOWK 2412 - Introduction to Social Work (3 Credits)

This course familiarizes students with the various tasks which social workers perform in a variety of settings and introduces them to the knowledge, values, and skills of the generalist social worker. Students will examine social work practice as a multi-level and multi-method approach to the change process. Using a strengths-based model, students will explore issues of diversity, oppression, marginalization, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385

Corequisites: SOWK 2310, SOWK 3381, SOWK 3441, SOWK 3443

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

SOWK 3210 - Social Work Economics: Global Outcomes (3 Credits)

This course critically examines the theoretical assumptions of the neo-liberal school of economics and presents other options in both economic theory and political economy. Theory consists of concepts formulated by individual thinkers or think tanks – based on data collection and the analysis of patterns which appear in the data or by direct observation Political economy consists of laws and policies of an economic system that promote greater economic justice for community and global action. This course will assist students in comprehending and comparing economics from a global view as it relates and affect the U.S. in general. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Corequisites: SOWK 1385

SOWK 3211 - Social Policy II (3 Credits)

This second of two courses in social policy provides students with an understanding of how human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice are mediated by social policy and its implementation at federal, state, and local levels. Students gain the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation of social delivery. Students learn how to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice in their practice. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 2211 or SOWK 280) and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 3442 and SOWK 3444 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 2412 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 2310

Corequisites: SOWK 4306, SOWK 4441

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3262 - Poverty and Welfare (3 Credits)

This second of two courses in social policy provides students with an understanding of how human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice are mediated by social policy and its implementation at federal, state, and local levels. Students gain the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation of social delivery. Students learn how to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice in their practice. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 2011 and SOCI 2601) or ECON 2201 or SOCI 201 or SOCI 260

SOWK 3275 - Forensic Interviewing (3 Credits)

This course provides the student with interviewing techniques in forensic social work settings. This course gives a comprehensive overview of courtroom strategies and behaviors, the intersection of laws and ethics, civil litigation, peer adjudication, recording and the legal regulation of social work, as well as the courtroom situations for the Department of Public Welfare. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 2310

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3291 - Family & Child Welfare Services (3 Credits)

This course is designed to explore myriad aspects of child welfare services. The course gives a brief overview of child welfare from early 1800’s on into the present time. The course focuses on child welfare issues related to diverse populations who are oppressed, marginalized, as well as the underserved in rural Southwest Georgia.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 2310 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3441

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3300 - Foundational Values and Ethics (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the history and evolution of values and ethics in the social work profession. Students will develop skills in applying ethical decision-making frameworks to enhance their critical thinking skills in social work practice. Focus is given to assisting students in recognizing the impact of diversity and social, economic, and environmental justice in addressing ethical dilemmas.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3303 - Behavior Statistics (3 Credits)

SOWK 3304 - Behavior Statistics (3 Credits)

SOWK 3350 - Social Gerontology (3 Credits)

This course give a survey of cross-cultural views on aging, social implications of the aging population, social adjustments in the process of aging, and societal reactions to and provisions for personas in later life. The course is cross-listed with SOCI 3350. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

SOWK 3353 - Counseling the Aged (3 Credits)

This course offers a survey of problems in later life and an overview of related counseling techniques. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: SOCI 3350

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3381 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 Credits)

This first of two courses in human behavior within the social environment introduces the student to understanding human development as the basis for all social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. The course focuses on the theories related to biological, psychological, cultural, political, environmental, and spiritual processes in human development across the lifespan.

Prerequisites: (PSYC 1101 or POLS 201 or SOCI 201) and SOWK 1385

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3382 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 Credits)

This second of two courses in human behavior within the social environment provides students a transcultural perspective of macro social work practice within communities and organizations. Students learn theories relevant to organizations, institutions and communities with special attention given to marginalized and oppressed populations, such as communities of color, women, LGBTQIA+ members, children, youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2412 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 2310

Corequisites: SOWK 2211, SOWK 3442, SOWK 3444

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3383 - Social Work with Families (3 Credits)

This seminar course is designed to provide the opportunity for seminar participants to analyze the subject of family dynamics as a social issue and to explore policy implications. Using a family system, multi-generational, and developmental framework the seminar will explore challenges faced by contemporary families as they move through the life course. A social systems approach to the family and its diversity will be utilized. Offered: Fall, Spring Summer.

Prerequisites: SOWK 3381 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3441

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3384 - Children and the Law (3 Credits)

This course is an elective course that is designed to review the genre of law and how it impacts the tasks performed by social workers in various settings in relation to children with an emphasis on the child welfare setting. This course looks at intervention within this arena from the micro and macro levels. Students will strengthen their practice skills with confidentiality, legal comprehension, court preparation, and courtroom testimony. It will further provide an understanding of the implementation and effect of court filing on policy and practice. Additionally, this course will review the judicial process, the nature of case law, and the integration with social welfare practice. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385

Corequisites: SOWK 1381, SOWK 2412

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3385 - Social Work With Children (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide students with a generalized concept of " At-risk" youth (inclusive of children and adolescents) across venue. Students will be given an overall perspective of the ecological and societal factors that contribute to placing children and adolescents at risk of future dangerous/negative outcomes. Students will gain a synthesis of information for practical application in prevention, intervention and treatment approaches. The course will look at the youth from a holistic, strengths based, child centered family perspective. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3391 - Issues in International Social Work (3 Credits)

This course will analyze key economic, political and social issues currently affecting social work in an international context. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3400 - Mental Health Service (3 Credits)

This course provides an overview of the contemporary context of social work practice in mental health. It introduces social work students to the scientific, technological, historical, economic, legal, ethical, sociopolitical, and cultural factors that shape contemporary mental health practice. It also addresses the specific ways managed mental health care has impacted social workers and clients with a host of restrictions that have adversely affected the quality of availability and provided services. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3441 - Social Work Practice I (3 Credits)

This first of three practice courses focuses on social work practice with individuals. Students learn how to apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks used to competently engage, assess, intervene with, and evaluate clients throughout the change process. The course prepares students to engage individuals from a holistic view throughout the helping process, including the generalist practitioner’s knowledge, values, and skills in working with individuals. The course also incorporates the development of culturally sensitive engagement skills to assist students in providing competent services to individuals who are underserved, marginalized or oppressed. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3442 - Social Work Practice II (3 Credits)

This second of three practice courses focuses on social work practice with groups and families. Students learn how to apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks used to competently engage, assess, intervene with, and evaluate families and groups throughout the change process. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 3441 or SOWK 380) and SOWK 2412 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 2310 and SOWK 1385 and SOWK 3381

Corequisites: SOWK 2211, SOWK 3382, SOWK 3444

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3443 - Interviewing & Recording (3 Credits)

This course addresses the elements of the social work interview and the documentation process, applying the values and ethics of the social work profession. Students develop generalist skills in building rapport with clients, gathering data, creating and maintaining professional client records, and appreciating the importance of maintaining confidential client records. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385

Corequisites: SOWK 2412

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 3444 - Research I (3 Credits)

This first of two research courses provides student with the scientific methods and skills used in social research, including definitions, problem solving, interventions and outcomes. Drawing from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing, students learn the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2412 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 2310 and SOWK 1385

Corequisites: SOWK 2211, SOWK 3442

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4292 - Service Delivery Systems and the Aged (3 Credits)

This course is designed to provide human service professionals with knowledge regarding resources and services required by the aged. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4293 - Social Work in Health Care (3 Credits)

This course provides a common outline and framework for practitioners' analyses of social work with various populations in acute care, long-term care, rehabilitation, community-based, and mental health settings. It introduces social work student to a range of clients and provides an overview of many social work settings and services in health arena. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4300 - Behavioral Statistics (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: MATH 1111

SOWK 4304 - Measurement in Social Work Practice (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: (PSYC 4300 or SOCI 4300) or POLS 303 or SOCI 303

SOWK 4306 - Research II (3 Credits)

This second of two research courses provides students with the processes necessary to translate research findings into effective practice. Students engage in the measurement and critical analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings, translating evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2211 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 3442 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3444 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 2310 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 2412

Corequisites: SOWK 3211, SOWK 4441

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4310 - Global Research (3 Credits)

This course is interactive and will provide a platform for exploring current social welfare issues that will assist in comparing states, countries and public attitudes about some of the most important social welfare issues facing society both at home and abroad. It is an avenue for practical technological skills to be integrated with global issues pertaining to social welfare. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: SOWK 3211 and SOWK 3262 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 2412

Corequisites: SOWK 4304

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4421 - Field Instruction Seminar I (2 Credits)

Prerequisites: (SOWK 4471 or SOWK 478)

SOWK 4422 - Field Instruction Seminar II (2 Credits)

Prerequisites: SOWK 4472

SOWK 4423 - School Social Work Practice (3 Credits)

This course is the first of two courses on school social work. This course is a practice class specific to working in the schools, whether public or private. It addresses practice, policies, and research, giving students a clear understanding of social work in an educational setting, K–12. Students will examine how theory, policies, and research can be utilized therapeutically to resolve problems and accomplish goals for students in grades K through 12. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4424 - School Social Work Service (3 Credits)

This course is one of two school social work courses offered to students interested in school employment. It is a continuum learning process in school social work services to give a clear understanding of social work in an educational setting from K-12 to meet the needs of young people. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 4423)

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4435 - Death and Dying (3 Credits)

This course focuses on several issues regarding the treatment and nontreatment of the dying or those who wish to die. Students will gain knowledge regarding the stages of grief and the phases of death and dying. Practice skills will be utilized in working with families experiencing grief and their stages of grief, as well.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4441 - Social Work Practice III (3 Credits)

This third of three practice courses focuses on social work practice within communities and organizations. Students learn how to apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks used to competently engage, assess, intervene with, and evaluate communities and organizations throughout the change process. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 3442 or SOWK 381) and SOWK 2412 and SOWK 2211 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3444 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 2310

Corequisites: SOWK 3211, SOWK 4306

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4450 - Special Topics in Social Work (3 Credits)

This course provides an opportunity for senior-level social work students to select from among pre-identified social work topics relevant to the mission, goals, and practice behaviors of the BSW program that are of interest to them and the major professor. This course fosters the development of scholarly research for presentation on campus as well as at regional, state, or national professional conferences or meetings. Approval of the faculty is necessary prior to registering for the course. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4460 - International Social Welfare Policy (3 Credits)

This course will analyze key economic, political, and social issues currently affecting social work in international context. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4470 - Generalist Field Seminar (3 Credits)

This field seminar course is designed to provide the student with a continued opportunity to facilitate the systematic integration of the concepts, methods, policies, skills, and values involved in generalist social work practice. The course provides linkage between the theoretical and conceptual contributions of the classroom and field settings.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2310 and SOWK 2412 and SOWK 2211 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 3211 and SOWK 3442 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3444 and SOWK 4441 and SOWK 4306

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4471 - Field Practicum (12 Credits)

Advanced 200-clock-hour practice experience designed for application and integration by students of principles, methods and skills of the generalist model. Students are placed in an approved agency following the successful completion of a practicum application process. Students complete one semester of field instruction in the same certified placement agency during the fall semester.

Prerequisites: SOWK 2310 and SOWK 2412 and SOWK 2211 and SOWK 3441 and SOWK 3381 and SOWK 3382 and SOWK 3211 and SOWK 3442 and SOWK 3443 and SOWK 3444 and SOWK 4441

Lecture hours: 12

SOWK 4472 - Generlist Field Experience (12 Credits)

This field course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate generalist social work competencies with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through in-person contact with clients and constituencies. Students will practice generalist social work skills under the direction of a trained field supervisor, completing approximately thirty-six clock hours per week (four and one-half days) for a total of 540 clock hours of field instruction. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lab hours: 12

SOWK 4473 - Generalist Field Seminar I (3 Credits)

This field seminar class is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to facilitate the systematic integration of the concepts, methods, policies, skills, and values involved in generalist social work practice. This course provides linkage between the classroom and field settings. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385 or SOWK 2211 or SOWK 2310 or SOWK 2412 or SOWK 3211 or SOWK 3300 or SOWK 3381 or SOWK 3382 or SOWK 3441 or SOWK 3442 or SOWK 3443 or SOWK 3444

Corequisites: SOWK 4306, SOWK 4441, SOWK 4475

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4474 - Generalist Field Seminar II (3 Credits)

Prerequisites: SOWK 4473 and SOWK 4475

Corequisites: SOWK 4476

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4475 - Generalist Field Experience I (6 Credits)

Generalist Field Experience I will be the first required six credit field experience course that will involve sixteen hours of supervised generalist social work practice in a social service agency. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 1385 or SOWK 2211 or SOWK 2310 or SOWK 2412 or SOWK 3211 or SOWK 3300 or SOWK 3381 or SOWK 3382 or SOWK 3441 or SOWK 3442 or SOWK 3443 or SOWK 3444

Corequisites: SOWK 4306, SOWK 4441, SOWK 4473

Restrictions:

Students with a semester level of Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.

Lab hours: 6

SOWK 4476 - Generalist Field Experience II (6 Credits)

Generalist Field Experience II, will be a required six credit course that will involve sixteen hours of supervised generalist social work practice in a social service agency. The BSW student will be under the direction of a field supervisor who has attended our field instructor training sessions and meets the criteria mandated by our accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Offered: Fall, Spring.

Prerequisites: SOWK 4473 or SOWK 4475

Corequisites: SOWK 4474

Restrictions:

Students with a semester level of Freshman, Junior or Sophomore may not enroll.

Lab hours: 6

SOWK 4492 - Service Delivery System & the Aged (3 Credits)

This course gives students survey of problems in later life and an overview of related counseling techniques.

Prerequisites: SOWK 3350

SOWK 4494 - Social Work & Chemical Dependency (3 Credits)

This course is designed for students interested in analyzing their present values and knowledge as it relates to chemical dependency. The practice course will increase students’ skills, attitudes, knowledge, and values to foster their development into effective and ethical addiction practitioners. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4495 - Human Sexuality (3 Credits)

This course provides an in-depth review of theories of human sexual behavior, including psychological, biological, sociological, evolutionary, feminist, LGBTQIA+ theories. It discusses changing societal attitudes and how those attitudes have impacted sexuality research, as well as classic early researchers and theories and less widely known contributors, particularly female researchers, and modern trends, including internet-based sexuality research. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 1385)

Lecture hours: 3

SOWK 4496 - HIV/AIDS: Global Impact (3 Credits)

This course will explore the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS from a global perspective. The course will also explore myths and facts surrounding HIV/AIDS. Further HIV/AIDS will be defined, and prevention methods will be explored. The course will discuss the implications for future social work practice. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Prerequisites: (SOWK 1385)

Lecture hours: 3