Social Work Courses (SOCW)
Related Catalog Entry: New Century College
Related Mason Website: New Century College (http://www.ncc.gmu.edu/)
300 Introduction to Social Work (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
This course introduces students to the historical roots of the social work profession
and social welfare. The social systems perspective is discussed as the framework
for social work knowledge, values, and skills, and an understanding of professional
values, ethics, the fields of practice, and settings of social work. The professionís
commitment to the disadvantaged, social justice, diversity, and discriminated and
oppressed groups is included as course content. Presentations by social work professionals,
including alumni, from different fields of practice will supplement classroom discussion.
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301 Laboratory in Interpersonal Communication (3:3:0). Prerequisites: SOCI
101, SOCW 300 (or corequisite), PSYC 100, and sophomore standing; or permission of
instructor. Emphasis on experiential learning of the biological, psychological, social,
and cultural influences on the behavior of those who need and those who give help.
Students examine their own behavioral and learning patterns, values, and attitudes
to increase their ability to understand and help clients. Field service of at least
60 credits required. f,s
323 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3:3:0). Prerequisites:
SOCI 101, SOCW 300 (or corequisite), BIOL 104, and PSYC 100; or permission of instructor.
A social systems approach unifying and integrating concepts and knowledge from biology,
anthropology, sociology, and psychology about human behavior. Applications to professional
practice, from the social work literature, and to the field experience. f
324 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
SOCW 323 with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor. Examination of social
systems theories as they pertain to the study of macro systems. Focus of study involves
families, the social group, the formal organization, and the community. Student will
apply theoretical concepts to contemporary social problems. s
351 Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3:3:0). Prerequisites: SOCI 101,
SOCW 300 (or corequisite), PSYC 100, and GOVT 204; or permission of instructor. Introduction
to social welfare, including its historical development, central concepts, institutional
nature, and the functions of social work as a profession. Analyses of human service
delivery systems, settings, and roles of social work. f
352 Social Welfare Policy and Service II (3:3:0). Prerequisite: SOCW 351
with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor. Analysis of various social
welfare policies; components of policy in our society. Examines the political, economic,
and cultural influences on the policymaking process. s
357 Methods of Social Work Intervention I (3:3:0). Open to majors only.
Prerequisites: SOCI 101, SOCW 300 (or corequisite), and PSYC 100; or permission of
instructor. Social work practice from a systems perspective. Particular emphasis
on problem-solving activities with microsystems. The common core of knowledge, values,
and skills essential to social work practice is analyzed to gain insight into social
work functions and the role of the social worker as a change agent. f
358 Methods of Social Work Intervention II (3:3:0). Open to majors only.
Prerequisites: SOCW 301 and 357, with a minimum grade of C in both courses, or permission
of instructor; corequisite: SOCW 359. Continues a generic problem-solving model,
focusing on group and macrointervention systems, settings, and skills. Emphasis on
working with groups from treatment to task purposes. Group processes such as goal
formulation, contract setting, composition, and termination necessary for effective
worker intervention are part of the knowledge base of the course. Field service of
40 credits required. s
359 Junior Seminar (1:1:0). Prerequisite: Must be taken simultaneously
with SOCW 358. Provides students the opportunity to integrate theory, research, and
practice in the area of group work. Time is allotted to process successes and obstacles,
and to share with other students the issues, knowledge, and skills being learned
in the junior-level practicum.
400 Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 60
credits or permission of instructor. An overview of ethical and legal issues related
to the human services professions. Some topics include responsibility, competence,
duty to warn, confidentiality, professional relationships, and research. Clinical
strategies relevant to legal and ethical issues are emphasized.
410 Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Policies and Programs (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
60 credits or permission of instructor. Primary issues related to alcoholism and
drug abuse including key concepts, theories, policies, and research regarding the
use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Emphasis on the impact of the policies
and programs on the well-being of ethnic minority and disadvantaged service populations.
sum
423 Social Work with Adolescents (3:3:0). Prerequisites: 60 credits or
permission of instructor. Major needs of adolescents with their implications for
social work practice. Problems of family and peer group relationships; occupational
choice; sexual and scholastic adjustment; and special problems of racial and cultural
alienation; alcohol and drug abuse; and delinquency. Studies various theoretical
orientations and evidence from research. Analyzes both individual and group approaches
to counseling and treatment.
425 Planning and Organizing for Community Change (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
60 credits or permission of instructor. Designed for senior social work students
with an interest in pursuing community organization as a professional career specialty.
Students are provided with a basic understanding of community organization and planning,
with special emphasis on conducting a needs assessment in the community. Student
examine the environmental context in which administrative and community practice
occurs. The role of social workers as planners and agents of social change is explored.
430 Social Work and the Law (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission
of the instructor. Introduces students to the social workerís role in the
legal system, familiarizes students with legal processes and their application to
issues of interest to social workers and their clients, including child abuse, foster
care, reproductive rights, juvenile justice, and legal rights of the poor/women.
435 Social Work with the Aged (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission
of instructor. A survey of the issues related to working with the aged population.
A study of biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of aging, as well
as the unique problems that are intricately involved with service delivery to aged
persons. Students examine the forces that impinge upon the aged person and explore
critical issues related to extended life span, family changes, institutionalization,
and the role of the aged persons in society. Students are challenged to increase
their sensitivity and knowledge of aged citizens.
453 Senior Practicum I (5:0:0). Prerequisites: SOCW 301, 323, 324, 351,
352, 357, and 358, with a grade of at least C and recommendation of faculty. Open
only to social work majors. Under supervisory instruction provided by field agencies,
students are involved two days per week in learning through participation in the
provision of service to individual clients, families, groups and/or communities,
and in activities sponsored by or involving professional social workers. Weekly seminar
and periodic faculty-agency consultations. f
454 Senior Practicum II (5:0:0). Prerequisites: SOCW 453, with a grade
of at least C and recommendation of faculty. Field experience and weekly seminar.
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455 Senior Practicum/Block Placement (10:0:0). Prerequisites: SOCW 301, 323, 324,
351, 352, 357, 358, and 471; completion of all required social work courses except
electives; social work major with 90 credits; GPA of 3.50 (in social work); and recommendation
of the faculty and director of field instruction. Under supervisory instruction provided
by field agencies, students are involved four days per week in learning through participation
in the provision of service to individual clients, families, groups, and/or communities,
and in activities sponsored by or involving professional social workers. Weekly seminar
or individual meetings with faculty liaison, and periodic faculty-agency visits.
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471 Research in Social Work (3:3:0). Prerequisite: SOCI 221 or PSYC 300,
six credits of social work courses, senior standing, or permission of instructor.
Must be completed with a minimum grade of C. Principles and the theory underlying
scientific inquiry. Emphasis on the use of research in social work practice, steps
in conducting research, and utility of research efforts in developing and evaluating
social work knowledge and skills. f
475 Selected Topics in Social Work Policy (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 60 credits
or permission of instructor. In-depth study of special areas of social work that
are of interest to students, faculty, and the social work community. Topics vary.
483 Selected Approaches to Social Work Intervention (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
60 credits or permission of instructor. Taken simultaneously with SOCW 453 or 454
(Senior Practicum). Opportunity to examine critically personal use of different approaches
to social work intervention currently employed in practice settings. Students have
an opportunity to use with clients the technical skills these approaches require.
May be taken more than once for credit. Topics vary.
499 Independent Study in Social Work (1-3:0:0). Prerequisites: 90 credits
and a research proposal approved by instructor before enrollment. Investigation of
a research problem in the field of social work.
510 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Child and Family Welfare (3:3:0). Prerequisite:
Upper-division undergraduate or graduate standing. Provides student with an in-depth
understanding of the child and family welfare systems in the United States and other
countries by examining factors that contribute to child and family dysfunction and
by assessing family support programs. Particular emphasis will be placed on vulnerable
and at-risk populations.
511 Health Status of Vulnerable and At-Risk Women, Children, and Families (3:3:0).
Prerequisite: Upper-division undergraduate or graduate standing. Provides students
with an in-depth understanding of the physical, social, and psychological factors
that influence the health status, behaviors, and outcome of vulnerable populations
in the United States and Latin American countries. Race, ethnicity, gender, and institutional
arrangements are critical areas of focus in understanding the health trajectory of
these groups.
598 Special Topics in Social Work (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Upper-level undergraduate
or graduate standing.
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