BASW Course Descriptions

Introduction to Social Work (Soc Wf 200, 5 credits)
Introduction to the field of social work, including the theoretical concepts and institutional framework that guide practice. Overview of social work profession and social welfare system within which it operates. Lectures supplemented by exercises, films, guest lectures, and class discussions.

Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (Soc Wf 402, 5 credits)
First of two-quarter sequence focusing on understanding human development across the lifespan. Integrates biological, psychological, structural, environmental, political, global, and socio-cultural perspectives. Explores relationship between the person and the environment including families, groups, organizations, communities, and institutions.

Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (Soc Wf 403, 5 credits)
Continuation of Soc Wf 402

Community Service Learning (Soc Wf 315, 2-3 credits)
Opportunity for students to apply social work theory to practice, to advocate for social justice, and to be involved in community service. Students learn by connecting classroom theory and community-based experience through the completion of community-based projects in social service agencies.

Social Welfare Policy (Soc Wf 320, 5 credits)
Emphasizes policy and program development in social welfare with emphasis on the context, making, and unmaking of social policy. Covers policy formulation as well as current and emerging policies in social welfare.

Prerequisite: Soc Wf 200. BASW major only.

Cultural Diversity and Justice (Soc Wf 404, 5 credits)
Provides a forum for students to explore their own values, beliefs, and behaviors and how they might affect their future work with people who are different. Students explore some of the critical issues in race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and other societal forces that affect human functioning. An important outcome is to understand how professionals can use knowledge of diverse groups to build alliances and develop effective working relations.

Introduction to Social Welfare Research (Soc Wf 390, 5 credits)
Introduces the logic of the scientific method as applied to social work and social welfare, the design and conduct of a research study, data collection and summarization, and skill development in critical consumption of social welfare research. Computer lab utilized.

Prerequisite: Introductory statistics course. Soc Wf 390 open only to BASW major. Introductory statistics: STAT 220 or equivalent (please check with departmental adviser about equivalent coursework): Objectives and pitfalls of statistical studies. Structure of data sets, histograms, means, and standard deviations. Correlation and regressions. Probability, binomial, and normal. Interpretation of estimates, confidence intervals, and significance tests.

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