Dr. Valerie Stokes, LISW ’93 Professor of Social Work; Department Chair; Director of Academic Diversity Initiatives

PSY225 - Developmental Psychology: Adulthood

(4 credits) This course explores psychological issues and theories in normal adult development, with emphasis on cognitive, social and personality functioning from young adulthood to old age.

SWK225 - Diverse Populations and Social Justice

(4 credits) Examines theoretical foundations for understanding dynamics of social inequity, privilege, and oppression; focus on diversity and on populations at risk due to racism, sexism and classism; self-assessment of students' racial and cultural heritage as it shapes their attitudes and biases toward different cultural and racial groups; emphasis on helping students become culturally competent social workers who are grounded in their faith and who identify with the profession's respect for diversity and commitment to social and economic justice. Open to non-majors. Prerequisites: PSY100SS, SWK200, or SOC101SS, or permission of instructor. Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

SWK300 - Direct Helping Skills

(3 credits) This course is designed to help students develop basic interviewing skills and techniques in the area of social work. This course will provide foundational skills in interviewing so that students can work effectively with individuals, families and groups from all diverse populations. Different techniques of interviewing and theoretical principles of interviewing will be investigated. Students will increase their practical skills through the use of an interactive learning environment and through intensive use of video feedback and role playing. Prerequisite: SWK225. Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

SWK360 - Social Policy & Advocacy

(3 Credits) Examines social policy development and the political process, with special attention to the poor and disadvantaged. This course will assist students in acquiring skills to see the inadequacies, gaps and inequities in socialpolicies in the past and present and help them develop critical thinking and advocacy skills, plus a commitment to change. Prerequisites: SWK200, SWK225 and be at the junior level; or permission of instructor.Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of ?C? or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

SWK400 - Family Systems: Theory & Practice

(4 credits) This course is designed to help students develop basic skills in working with diverse families at varying family life stages and composition. Concepts of family-centered practice, including strategies of engagement, problem analysis/assessment, evidence-informed intervention for change strategies, theoretical approaches, and evaluative effectiveness are studied and practiced. Prerequisite: SWK370 and be at the senior level. Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.

SWK420 - Community Systems: Theory & Practice

(4 credits) Examines generalist Social Work practice theories and skills with organizations and communities. Students will develop competencies related to larger system practice, such as networking, community needs assessment, organizational theory and dynamics, larger system planned change processes, program evaluation, social action, community planning, grant writing, and supervision. Prerequisite: SWK370 and be at the senior level. Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.