Social Work Courses

SOWK 2310. Intro-Social Work/Soci Welfare.

Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (3-0) Introduction to the human service delivery system in the United States, with an emphasis on the social work profession: its mission, philosophy, ethics, values, diverse fields, and ethnocultural perspectives. Observations of social service agencies and guest speakers provide a career orientation to the social work profession. .

SOWK 2320. Social Welfare Policy/Srvs I.

Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3-0) Examination of the historical evolution of social welfare and the social work profession, with focus on the social policies which comprise the foundation of the welfare state in the United States. Present patterns of social welfare services will also be examined. Emphasis on the historical evolution of contemporary social problems in the borderlands region. Oppression, discrimination, justice, immigration issues and policies, and their impact on diverse populations at risk will be explored.

SOWK 2331. Human Behavior/Social Envir I.

Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3-0) Designed to introduce beginning social work students to some mainstream theoretical explanations by which to view individuals, groups, and families. Students will be given an opportunity to compare traditional mainstream models with newer alternative paradigms that focus on human growth and development from a strengths perspective. Special emphasis is placed on issues of culture, race, ethnic diversity, racism, sexism, ageism, and disabling mental or physical conditions.

SOWK 3170. Special Issues in Social Work.

Special Issues in Social Work (1-0) Professional concerns and issues of social work will be selected by the instructor dependent on student needs. Students may repeat this course if the focus of the course differs.

SOWK 3175. Independent Study-1 Credit.

Students will engage in independent work for 1 credit through one of two pathways: state of the art study or participate in research.

SOWK 3270. Special Issues in Social Work.

Special Issues in Social Work (2-0) Professional concerns and issues of social work will be selected by the instructor dependent on student needs. Students may repeat this course if the focus of the course differs.

SOWK 3275. Independent Study-2 Credit.

Students will engage in independent work for 2 credits through one of two pathways: state of the art study or participate in research.

SOWK 3320. Social Welfare Policy/Srvs II.

An analysis of current major issues and problems formulation of social welfare policies on the local, state, and federal levels in the United States. Social security, health, education, public welfare and income maintenance, immigration, and international agreements will be highlighted. The impact of various welfare policies upon Hispanics and other at risk populations in the borderlands region. Application of strategies of change will be emphasized.

SOWK 3325. Culturally Grounded Social Wk.

Culturally Grounded Social Work (3-0) This course covers emerging trends in cultural competence and adaptation, and the culturally grounded perspective from a standpoint of intersectionality. Students will examine the impact of discrimination, oppression, and economic deprivation on disenfranchised populations and theoretical and historical perspectives on racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination and powerlessness with an emphasis on social work in the U.S.-Mexico Border region. Students will develop awareness of their own culture and attitudes, beliefs, and responses to diversity within the context of professional social work values and culturally responsive practice.

SOWK 3336. Child Welfare Practice/Srvs.

Child Welfare Practice and Services in a Border Context (3-0) Overview of practice and policy issues, problems, and opportunities in the provision of child welfare services in the borderlands region. Emphasis will get given to: collaborative international efforts, culturally sensitive approaches, case management, family preservation, and other intervention strategies.

SOWK 3341. Human Behavior/Social Envir II.

Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3-0) Designed to introduce beginning social work students to various theoretical models by which to view how groups, communities, and organizations interface and interact with the social environment. Students will also examine various theoretical models of poverty, particularly as these influence social welfare policies and/or affect the delivery of social services to impoverished populations.

SOWK 3345. SOWK/Aging: Cross Cultl Persp.

Social Work and Aging: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (3-0) An examination of the needs and concerns of the aging person in society from a social/cultural/physiological/emotional perspective and of methods used to address those needs and concerns. Emphasis will be on advocacy, case management, networking, and direct care methods, and their application to Hispanics and other diverse populations in the borderlands region.

SOWK 3346. Process of Addiction: Cultural.

The Process of Addiction: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (3-0) An examination of the cross-cultural implications of the process of addiction in the borderlands region. Focus is on the comparative patterns of addictions by gender, age, family, and ethnocultural culturally competent intervention modalities will be explored.

SOWK 3350. Diag Sys for Genrlst Soc Wk.

Diagnostic Systems for Generalist Social Work (3-0). Survey of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association with an emphasis on preparation of BSW students for licensure examinations. Ethical issues associated with use of classification systems will be presented within the context of alternative interpretation of human behaviors from diverse cultural perspectives.

SOWK 3355. Generalist Social Work Pract I.

This is the first of three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry level theory, knowledge, research, values and skills for social work practice with individuals. Self-awareness, problem solving, interviewing, professional relationships, intervention planning and skills, and ethics are included. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the borderlands region is emphasized. Pre-internship volunteer experience required.

SOWK 3358. Generalist Social Work Prac II.

Generalist Social Work Practice II (3-0) This is the second of three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with groups and families. This course continues to build on the problem solving model, intervention methods, and planning introduced in Social Work 3355. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the borderlands region is emphasized.

SOWK 3365. Social Work W/Special Pops.

Social Work with Special Populations (3-0) Emphasis is placed on theories, concepts, and techniques of social work in a wide range of settings. This course covers content on the importance of age, women's issues, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and disabilities in a group processes. Students may repeat this course if the focus of the course differs.

SOWK 3370. Special Issues in Social Work.

Special Issues in Social Work (3-0) Professional concerns and issues of social work will be selected by the instructor dependent on student needs. Students may repeat this course if the focus of the course differs.

SOWK 3375. Independent Study.

Students will engage in independent work through one of two pathways: state of the art study or participate in research.

SOWK 3430. Research Methods-Social Work.

Research Methods in Social Work (4-0). This class will provide students with an understanding of various processes for building knowledge for practice and for evaluation of service delivery. The concept and processes of evidence-based practice as utilized in social work will be learned and applied. Ethical standards, use of critical thinking, and writing skills will be emphasized. Theoretical constructs for conducting culturally sensitive, quantitative/qualitative research in the borderlands region will be examined.

SOWK 4281. Generalist Field Seminar I.

A capstone seminar that enables students to integrate the theory, knowledge, values, skills, ethics, and ethnocultural competence of generalist social work practice.

SOWK 4282. Generalist Field Seminar II.

A capstone seminar that enables students to integrate the theory, knowledge, values, skills, ethics and ethnocultural competence of generalist social work practice. Emphasis will include an evaluation of one's own practice.

SOWK 4283. Honors Field Ed Seminar I.

Students will enroll in Honors Field Education Seminar I that is an accelerated seminar covering content in both SOWK 4281 and 4282. It is an alternative to SOWK 4281.

SOWK 4284. Honors Field Ed Seminar II.

Students will enroll in Honors Field Education Seminar II that is an advanced, skills-based field seminar. It is an alternative to SOWK 4282.

SOWK 4370. General Social Work Pract III.

This is the third of the three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry-level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work solving model, intervention methods, and planning introduced with SOWK 3355 and SOWK 3358 with an emphasis on community development skills and strategies of change. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the borderlands region is emphasized.

SOWK 4380. Generalist Field Instruction I.

Generalist Field Instruction I (0-0-3) is the first of two field-based practicum experiences. Students complete 240 practicum hours of supervised learning experience in selected social welfare agencies. A weekly seminar (SOWK 4281) accompanies this course, facilitating students' integration and application of social work theory and practice skills in a field setting. A multi-cultural perspective is emphasized.

SOWK 4390. Genrlst Field Instruction II.

Generalist Field Instruction II (0-0-3) is the second of two field-based practicum experiences. Students complete 240 practicum hours of supervised learning experience in selected social welfare agencies. A weekly seminar (SOWK 4282) accompanies this course, facilitating students' integration and application of social work theory and practice skills in a field setting. A multi-cultural practice perspective is emphasized.