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Graduate Catalog 2004-2006: Courses

Social Work

SWK6090 Orientation (0 No credit)
Orientation to the social work profession and the Aurora University School of Social Work in addition to social work ethics, values, and underlying theoretical perspectives as well as historical perspective on the George Williams philosophy are presented during the orientation weekend retreat. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Additional room, board and materials charge. The orientation is a program requirement for all entering MSW students.

SWK6140 Social Welfare Policy and Institutions (3 semester hours)
Major social welfare programs are reviewed within an overall policy analysis framework. Forces that impact on social policy such as American individualism and issues such as poverty, racism, and gender inequity are addressed. Historical forces which have contributed to the development of current social services are reviewed. No prerequisites. Social Work Practice Theory and Methods

SWK6370 Social Work Practice I (3 semester hours)
This course is the first in a sequence of 5 practice courses covering the foundation and concentration years in the MSW program. In Social Work Practice I, students are introduced to specific theoretical and skills based core concepts of generalist, individual, family, and couples social work direct practice. No prerequisites.

SWK6380 Social Work Practice II (3 semester hours)
The course examines social work practice from a macro perspective introducing community direct practice skills. Prerequisite: SWK6370

SWK6390 Cross-Cultural Social Work Practice (3 semester hours)
This course is an exploration of historical and current economic, social, cultural and political forces that affect a wide range of minorities. Focus is on development of ethnic-sensitive, culturally competent practice skills. Self-awareness and attitudes towards self, others and differences are explored.

SWK6320 Social Work Practice with Groups (3 semester hours)
This foundation course introduces theories basic to the understanding of group development and group processes essential to effective social group work practice with a wide range of populations. The emphasis in the course will be on the development of skills needed to plan, prepare, facilitate, terminate, and evaluate a variety of types of groups for clients across the life span. Prerequisite: None Human Behavior and the Social Environment

SWK6160 HBSE: Theories of Human Development (3 semester hours)
This course, based in an ecological systems perspective, follows human development through the lifespan in the context of family and larger environments. The course includes research-based knowledge about physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development. This course emphasizes both knowledge and application of human development theories to social work assessment and practice. No prerequisites. Research

SWK6250 Research I: Social Work Research Methods (3 semester hours)
This course is the first in a sequence of two required research courses. Students are introduced to ethical social work research using scientific inquiry. Class material provides an overview of various research methods and design elements. The course highlights creating, performing, and evaluating outcomes of practice and policies. Prerequisites: Statistics with a passing grade of C or better. Field Instruction

SWK6740, SWK6730 Field Instruction I, II (3 semester hours each)
Sequence of two consecutive semesters beginning in the Fall. Experience in practice in professional agency under instruction of qualified practitioner; a minimum of 450 hours over two semesters. Prerequisites: Concurrent with Foundation Practice courses. Concentration Curriculum

SWK6440 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3 semester hours)
Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals is an advanced social work practice elective which focuses on contemporary approaches to directed social work practice with individual client systems. Prerequisite: Completion of foundation courses. This course is restricted to students taking advanced curriculum courses.

SWK6450 Advanced Social Work Practice with Families (3 semester hours)
Content builds on foundation knowledge in assessment and intervention with families from the standpoint of a variety of theoretical frameworks. Emphasis in this course will be on expanding ability to engage and assess families, and to plan and implement effective interventions with a wide variety of families. Prerequisite: Completion of foundation courses. This course is restricted to students taking advanced curriculum courses.

SWK6500 Social Work Perspectives on Psychopathology (3 semester hours)
This course presents psychopathology through a distinctly social work perspective. The course includes bio-psycho-social assessment and treatment models, including the use of DSM-IV-R. The course emphasizes assessment, advocacy, direct service, interdisciplinary collaboration, and use of community resources and supports. The person is not defined by diagnosis or condition. Mental illness is seen through a strengths perspective and within a social context. Persons are viewed holistically, as participating members of their families and communities. Prerequisites: SWK6160.

SWK6510 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro (3 semester hours)
Framed within the George Williams College philosophy and perspective this course analyzes and synthesizes current theories and new knowledge under-girding social work practice. It builds upon social work theory, practice, and the value base taught in the foundation year. Focus is on the utilization of advanced social work theory in assessment and intervention with individuals and families. Prerequisites: Advanced curriculum course restricted to students who have completed the foundation curriculum.

SWK6520 Advanced Social Work Practice II: Macro (3 semester hours)
Integrates the group-centered perspective in preparing the student to do planning, administration, and organizing in community and social agency settings. Project development, services coordination, and program change. Prerequisites: Advanced curriculum course; restricted to students who have completed the foundation curriculum.

SWK6280 Research II: Project (3 semester hours)
This is the second of two required research courses. In this course students will plan, design and conduct two mini-research projects: a single-subject design and a program evaluation. Projects are done in conjunction with the student's field placement. Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in SWK6750 Field Instruction III; completion of SWK6250 - Research I Advanced Field Instruction

SWK6750, SWK6760 Field Instruction III, IV (3 semester hours each)
Sequence of two consecutive semesters beginning in the Fall. Experience in practice in professional agency under the instruction of a qualified practitioner; a minimum of 600 hours over two semesters. Prerequisites: Completion of the foundation curriculum and concurrent enrollment in advanced practice courses.

SWK6990 Capstone (3 semester hours)
This course taken in the student's last semester prior to graduation, focuses on the integration of theory, practice and knowledge within the framework of the George Williams philosophy and perspective. Students focus on the development and articulation of their own professional identity and style. This is demonstrated through a final project or paper. Prerequisite: This is an advanced curriculum course open only to graduating MSW students in their final semester.

SWK5610 Survey of the Exceptional Child (3 semester hours)
This course examines major causes and characteristics of students in the public school setting evidencing exceptionality. The psychology, identification, and methods of serving exceptional individuals and their families will be considered. While the focus of this course is an understanding of the various exceptionalities and how that impacts a student's education, the course will provide a social work perspective for practice related to prevention, intervention and evaluation. No prerequisites.

SWK6410 School Social Work Practice and Policy I (3 semester hours)
This is the first of a two course sequence for 2nd year students doing their internships in the public school setting leading to state certification as school social worker. This course focuses on practice. It prepares students to provide school social work services to individuals, groups, families, the school system, and the community. This course covers the roles of the school social worker and the skills needed to perform the various roles. Special attention is given to assessment, prevention, and intervention across systems on behalf of school children and their families.

SWK6420 School Social Work Policy and Practice II (3 semester hours)
This is the second of a two course sequence for second year students doing their internships in the public school setting leading to state certification as a school social worker. This course focuses on policy and legal issues related to providing school social work services to individuals, groups, families, the school system, and the community. This course covers state and federal special education mandates and other laws and policies related to public school children and their families. Special attention is given to ethical and legal implications of these laws and policies and their effect on the education of children. Prerequisite: SWK6410

SWK5700 Theory and Practice of Social Work with Women (3 semester hours)
Economic, legal, and other social factors affecting the position and roles of women; psychodynamic knowledge relating to women; issues and implications for social work practice. No prerequisites.

SWK5710 Child Welfare Services (3 semester hours)
Theory, principles, issues, and trends in social work with children and youth; common and special needs. Case management, treatment planning, case monitoring. Exploration of authority-helper role and problems of working with non-voluntary clients. No prerequisites.

SWK5740 Family Violence: Issues and Intervention (3 semester hours)
Socio-cultural analysis of victimization in the family, with particular focus on the problems of battering and sexual abuse. The course addresses, through the examination of various theoretical perspectives, the question of violence against women, child physical abuse/neglect/sexual abuse; and the problem of elder abuse. No prerequisites.

SWK5750 Substance Abuse (3 semester hours)
Presented from an ecological and family systems perspective, this course provides current information that will enhance the student's ability to work effectively with individuals and families who are both directly and indirectly affected by substance abuse. Emphasis is placed on current research. Relevant social policies and societal attitudes are considered. No prerequisites.

SWK5770 Social Work with Older Adults (3 semester hours)
This course consists of the study of major theories of aging and their implications for social work practice. Focus is on community services for the aged and an examination of current issues and trends related to the service delivery system. No prerequisites.

SWK5780 Computer Applications in Social Work (3 semester hours)
Computer applications for social work practice. Emphasis on electronic communication, acquiring, using, and critically evaluating web based information, and web site design for human service agencies. Exploration of ethical issues related to the use of information technology. No prerequisites.

SWK5810 Selected Topics (3 semester hours)
Selected topics that support foundation social work courses and are of interest to students but are not a regular part of the curriculum.

SWK6030 Bereavement Counseling (3 semester hours)
This course presents the theoretical framework for working with bereaved individuals and an examination of cultural attitudes toward death, other life losses, and what effect these attitudes have on individual grief reactions. This course highlights the therapeutic skills needed when working with the bereaved. Prerequisites: Completion of the foundation curriculum.

SWK6040 Social Work and Spirituality (3 semester hours)
This course presents the knowledge and skills needed to provide social services to persons with spiritual needs and dilemmas. A person-in-environment perspective is used in understanding the meaning of spirituality for clients and appropriate methods to utilize in responding to them. Prerequisites: None.

SWK6460 Advanced Social Work Practice with Couples (3 semester hours)
This advanced social work practice elective will focus on a variety of theories and approaches to social work practice with couples. Prerequisites: Completion of the foundation curriculum.

SWK6470 Advanced Social Work Practice with Children (3 semester hours)
This advanced social work practice elective will encompass the theory, methods and skills necessary for understanding and working with children on all levels of social work practice. Prerequisites: Completion of the foundation curriculum.

SWK6480 Advanced SW Practice with Adolescents (3 semester hours)
This advanced social work practice elective will examine a variety of theoretical and practical approaches to working with adolescents and their environment. Prerequisites: Completion of the foundation curriculum.

SWK6680 Orientation Planning and Design (3 semester hours)
This course allows students to participation in the design (under faculty direction), implementation, and leadership of orientation for entering MSW students. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

SWK6810 Selected Topics (3 semester hours)
Selected topics that support advanced social work practice courses and are of interest to students but are not a part of the regular curriculum. No prerequisites.

SWK6830 Directed Study

SWK6980 Independent Study

SWK5610 Survey of the Exceptional Child (3 semester hours)
This course examines major causes and characteristics of students in the public school setting evidencing exceptionality. The psychology, identification, and methods of serving exceptional individuals and their families will be considered. While the focus of this course is an understanding of the various exceptionalities and how that impacts a student's education, the course will provide a social work perspective for practice related to prevention, intervention and evaluation. No prerequisites.

SWK6430 School Social Work Certification Course (3 semester hours)
This course is designed for Post-MSW graduate students seeking school social work certification from the Illinois State Board of Education. It provides an orientation to social work practice in the public school setting. It covers important historical, legal, and political developments that affect the modern day roles and functions of the practitioner in the school setting. The course provides a basic understanding of the types of students served, resources and knowledge needed to deliver services and an overview of the public school system. This course is a requirement for state certification as a school social worker. Prerequisites: MSW post-graduate and approval by school social work coordinator.

SWK6670 Field Instruction: Post Masters School Social Work (3 semester hours)
This course is designed for students in our post-graduate program leading to state certification for school social work. This field course is designed to integrate the prior professional experiences of students who have practiced social work outside of the public school setting with the unique knowledge and skills required by this setting. Students, in conjunction with the school of social work and their field instructors, design a unique learning experience that allows them to transfer skills developed in other settings to the public school arena and to learn addition knowledge and skills necessary for providing school social work services. Instruction limited to Post-Master students. Prerequisites: Consent of school social work coordinator.