Social Work (SWO)

SWO 1101  Social Justice and New Beginnings at Baylor  (1)  

New student experience course designed to help students acclimate to college life with a specific focus on vocational calling and social justice as defined within the social work profession.

SWO 1300  Human Flourishing & Social Issues  (3)  

Through this course, students will consider barriers to human flourishing in contemporary society through experiential learning opportunities in both residential and community contexts. Students will draw on the connections between leadership, social change, and human flourishing; seeking to develop a deeper understanding of self and their vocation interests in a global context.

SWO 2320  Human Diversity and Leadership  (3)  

This course creates opportunities to increase understanding of diversity and difference, power and privilege, and oppression—as well as an understanding of oneself. Students will look at diversities within religion, ability, age, sexual orientation in addition to race/ethnicity, class, gender. This is an essential foundation for culturally competent leadership in any professional or volunteer setting.

SWO 2321  Introduction to Social Work  (3)  

An introduction to the profession of social work and the institution of social welfare. Emphasis is on common human needs and problems, and the development and functioning of social welfare as an institution of society. Course content includes history, knowledge base, values, and skills of professional social work as well as contexts for practice and career opportunities.

SWO 2V80  Special Topics  (1-3)  

Provides instruction in areas of social work knowledge, values, and/or skills that are not available in the standard social work baccalaureate or graduate curricula. Course may be repeated up to six times with different topics of study, not to exceed a maximum of six semester hours.

SWO 3305  Introduction to Gerontology  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 3305, SOC 3305  

See SOC 3305 for course information.

SWO 3351  Human Behavior and the Social Environment I  (3)  

Human development across the life course with emphasis on the effects of the social and physical environment on maturation. Special attention given to gender issues, experiences of racial and ethnic minorities, and other special populations.

SWO 3352  Human Behavior and the Social Environment II  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 2320  

The environmental contexts for human behavior with a special emphasis on groups, organizations and communities. Issues of human diversity, social and economic justice, and environments of populations at risk are emphasized.

SWO 3371  Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 2321 and credit or concurrent enrollment in 3351, and admission to Social Work program  

The Generalist Model of social work practice, including theoretical frameworks, problem-solving method, values and ethics, and practice with special populations. Thirty hours of service learning work required.

SWO 4301  Social Work Research  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 4305 and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 4322 and 4492  

The basic purpose, methods and techniques of social research, evaluation of professional social work practice, and social program evaluation.

SWO 4305  Data Analysis for Social Work  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): MTH 1301 or 1320 or 1321 or STA 1380  

Apply basic statistical tools to describe, analyze, and evaluate research issues in professional social work practice.

SWO 4315  Foundations for Social Justice  (3)  

Examines theories and practices of social justice as related to oppressed groups in a multicultural society utilizing religious and nonreligious perspectives. Addresses issues of power, inequality, and privilege, and the diverse experiences of oppressed groups in framing strategies to promote social justice.

SWO 4316  Trauma, Loss, and Mourning  (3)  
Cross-listed as PAST 7340  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or graduate student  

Specialized knowledge and skills for loss and grief and therapeutic interventions for the bereaved, including bereaved children. Preparation for work with loss of relationship and health across the lifespan. Emphasis on religious faith and grief, and the response of faith communities and religiously affiliated providers to suicide, divorce, loss of parental rights, and other disenfranchised grief.

SWO 4317  Human Trafficking  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or graduate student  

This course is designed to help students gain a better understanding of contemporary human trafficking and modern day slavery. The roles that entities such as government, the media, faith-based organizations, organized crime, and culture play in this complex human rights and social (in)justice issue will also be explored.

SWO 4322  Social Policy for Social Work Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 4373  

Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 4305 and 4491. Non-majors must have consent of instructor. Historical and current patterns of provision of social welfare services, the effect of social policy on people gaining optimal health and well-being, and the effect of social policy on social work practice.

SWO 4372  Social Work Practice II: Generalist Practice with Groups  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 3351 and minimum grade of B in 3371, and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 3352 and 4373  

Knowledge and skills appropriate to social work intervention with small treatment and task groups representing different backgrounds, building on the skills learned in SWO 3371 with individuals and families.

SWO 4373  Social Work Practice III: Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 3351 and minimum grade of B in 3371, and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 3352 and 4372  

Knowledge, skills and strategies appropriate to work with organizations, neighborhoods, and communities to foster social and economic justice.

SWO 4393  Sociology of Aging  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 4393, SOC 4393  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

Impact of aging upon individuals and society, as well as the reactions of individuals and society to aging. Social gerontology is the principal focus of attention of the course.

SWO 4395  Aging and Mental Health  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 4395, SOC 4395  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

Mental health needs and related problems of aging individuals with considerable discussion of approved mental health treatments for such persons.

SWO 4401  Statistics for Social Workers  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): MTH 1301 or 1320 or 1321 or STA 1380  

Apply basic statistical tools to describe, analyze, and evaluate research issues in professional social work practice.

SWO 4491  Social Work Internship I  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of B in SWO 4372 and 4373 and admission to field program and consent of Director or Associate Director of Field Education - Generalist Practice  

First semester of Field internship requiring 240 hours of Social Work practice with supervision by a professional social worker within a local setting and a weekly integrative seminar. Requires integration of liberal arts background and social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics within the structure of the agency, demonstrating beginning competence around each of the program's educational objectives and competencies.

SWO 4492  Social Work Internship II  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of B in SWO 4491 and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 4301 and SWO 4322  

Second semester of Field internship requiring integration of liberal arts background and Social Work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics through two hundred forty hours of supervised practice in a community agency and a weekly integrative seminar. Student must demonstrate competence around each of the program's educational objectives and competencies.

SWO 4V70  Special Topics in Social Work  (1-3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Course for students who wish to study an area of social work not covered by a formal course. May be repeated for up to a total of six hours credit when the subject matter varies.

SWO 4V80  Special Topics  (1-3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or graduate student  

Provides instruction in areas of social work knowledge, values, and/or skills that are not available in the standard social work baccalaureate or graduate curricula. Course may be repeated up to six times with different topic of study, not to exceed a maximum of six semester hours.