21 courses with the subject SW, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
SW 104Introduction to Social Work3
An introduction to social work as a profession, its historical development, and current practice settings. The course focuses on the history, philosophy, and structure of social movements, social policy, and social services in the United States. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking as it applies to professional values and ethics, and areas of practice. A central theme of the course is the exploration of topics concerned with multi-cultural issues, diversity, and inclusion. This course is required for Social Work majors but is also applicable for students from related fields who want to explore the history and structure of social services and social work.
An exploration of the historical development of social welfare policies, the relationship of policy to social welfare programs, the delivery of social support services needed to fulfill basic human needs, and social work values.
SW 216Communities, Organizations, and Groups: Theory and Praxis3
This course explores human behavior in groups, organizations, and communities to achieve a theoretical, conceptual, and practical understanding of the workings of the macro-social environment. An ecosystems perspective is combined with sociology and group psychology theories that promote a working knowledge of the operation and interrelatedness of macro systems and human behavior. Primary consideration is given to concepts of empowerment, diversity, populations-at-risk, and the promotion of social and economic justice at the local, national, and global levels.
The course is designed for social work students to learn, appreciate, interpret, use, and integrate statistics within the practice of social work. The course deals primarily with descriptive (summarizing and describing the major characteristics of collected data) and inferential statistics (making predictions or inferences about the likelihood that relationships between variables within the data set also exist beyond the data collected). You will be introduced to the concepts and skills underlying social work statistics including use of the conceptual and quantitative tools used to describe and interpret data. You will learn how to select, calculate, and interpret appropriate statistics applicable to common data analysis situations related to generalist social work practice.
This course introduces anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI) in practice for social workers and other professionals. Students will gain knowledge about the pervasive impact of white supremacy and privilege in society and how to use knowledge, awareness and skills to engage in anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice. This requires practicing cultural humility, which involves being self-reflective as well as learning about how different identities intersect to shape one's life as well as those of others. Empowerment and recognition that clients and communities are experts of their own lives is the foundation of this approach. 3 credits
Social Workers and professionals in a range of fields will work with immigrants and need to be prepared to bring both knowledge and cultural humility to their work. In this course, students will learn about immigration within the context of the United States and the local community. They will learn about refugees and immigrants using an intersectional approach by listening and reading about the lived experiences of these populations. Students will also explore the political and legal atmosphere for immigrants today. Finally, students will learn concrete skills for working with refugees and immigrants in the context of helping professions. 3 credits
SW 298Social Work Pathways and Special Populations3
The course explores the social worker’s role in terms of health and well-being related to public health, behavioral health, substance abuse and related disorders, palliative care and end-of-life, correctional healthcare and psychosocial care. Social work’s roles in the care and well-being of special populations such as children and families, older adults and caregivers, immigrants and refugees, LGBT+, and veterans are explored. Social work plays an important role in practice, policy, and research related to well-being while ensuring human rights and social justice. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding access, ethics, equality, empowerment, prevention, outcomes, and quality of life with various special populations.
Designed to introduce students to theoretical and practical knowledge that will become a foundation for the entry-level professional. Topics covered include social work values, assessment, confidentiality, and contemporary theories in social work as they relate to practice with client systems. Basic psychopathology is reviewed in relation to current methods used in treatment. Students will gain an 183
An exploration of the basic knowledge, values, and skills of the profession of social work. The student becomes familiar with theoretical knowledge, develops basic interviewing skills, and utilizes value clarification to understand what is involved in effective, ethical social work practice and case management in a diverse society. (Micro practice course.) May be taken by non-Social Work majors with permission of the instructor. 3 credits
The historical, economic, social, and political facets of policies are examined from the social work practitioner's perspective. Policies as society’s response to human social problems will be analyzed and discussed for their immediate and long-range implications. Special attention will be given to governmental entities and non-profit organizations that address social problems through service provisions. Each student will analyze one social welfare policy in-depth.
An enhancement of the application of knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice designed to enhance the skills introduced in SW 302. Discussion and simulation of assessment, intervention, and practice with families are emphasized. (Mezzo practice course).
An enhancement of the application of knowledge and skill of generalist social work practice and is designed to build upon SW 302. Discussion and simulation of practice with educational, support, task, and therapeutic groups are emphasized.
This course is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for effective health care social work practice with patients and families. Advocating for and ensuring patients and families have access to the necessary resources, as well as addressing emotional and psychosocial needs are emphasized. The technological, social, political, ethical, and financial factors affecting patient care are explored. Case studies and exercises emphasize the importance of practicing social workers' attentiveness to both patient and organizational needs. Emerging trends in health care policy and delivery are addressed as well as social work practice across the continuum of care. 3 credits SW 310SL (CM 310SL) Youth Media Advocacy Project (YMAP) The Youth Media Advocacy project provides high school students with the knowledge, skills, and support to utilize the media to influence policy decisions that impact their lives. Carlow University students meet with high school students to facilitate their work on a media advocacy campaign related to improving their education. Students will garner earned media coverage, create and place high- quality paid media such as print ads and radio spots, and distribute media via the Internet. An ultimate goal of the project is to have youth voices heard by the Pittsburgh media and community leaders to create change in the schools. 3 credits SW 350I (CM 350I) Gender, Race, and Class: Media and Social Change An analysis of the role the mass media play in developing, sustaining, and challenging stereotypes. Students will explore the impact that media stereotypes have on public policy decisions as they affect groups, based on gender, race, and social class. This course is team taught as an interdisciplinary course that integrates perspectives from communication and social work. 3 credits 184
SW 399Professional Ethical Leadership in Social Work
This course focuses on student development of values, skills, and knowledge as professional, ethical leaders in Social Work in preparation for field placement. Students will enhance skills in oral and written communication, time management, leadership, boundaries, networking, working with diverse populations, interviewing, negotiation, and articulation of professional values. They will explore ethics relevant to practice with a focus on engaging with diversity and advancing human rights and social, economic and environmental justice as professionals. Students will also learn about local organizations and agencies that exemplify Social Work’s social justice mission as they prepare to enter field placement internship. 3 credits Requires Verification of Eligibility through BSW Academic Advisor
This is a supervised field placement in a selected human service agency that allows the student to integrate theory with micro, mezzo, and macro practice. Only Social Work majors who have been fully admitted to the Social Work program may register for this course. The field placement sequence should be the final course sequence. 5 credits SW 404 (PY 404) Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan A consideration of the current state of social science knowledge of the grief and loss, death and dying experience of individuals and families throughout the lifespan. Students explore the individual and family dynamics of death, loss, grief and bereavement. Death rituals and practices of various belief systems are discussed as well as the belief systems and cultural practices of students. Skills and techniques and techniques for coping and healing are also reviewed.
A seminar designed to bring students together in a group setting to help integrate the field experience with practice skills and theory. Concurrent enrollment in SW 402. Only Social Work majors who have been fully admitted to the Social Work program may register for this course. The field placement sequence should be the final sequence that students take.
This is the second in a two-part sequenced field placement series. The field placement is designed to develop students’ advanced skills and increase competence in utilizing skills acquired in SW 405. Concurrent enrollment in SW 407 is required. Only social work majors who have been fully admitted to the social work program may register for this course. The field placement sequence should be the final sequence that students take.
A seminar designed to advance a student’s integration of theory with practice via the field experience in SW 406. Concurrent enrollment in SW 406. Only Social Work majors who have been fully admitted to the Social Work program may register for this course. The field placement sequence should be the final sequence that students take. 3 credits SW 420 (PY 420) Impact of Trauma This course introduces the student to the field of psychological trauma. The course will be composed of lectures, discussions, guest 185
This course aims to familiarize students with the most common research methods used in social and behavioral sciences, with an emphasis on critical thinking and becoming informed consumers of research. This course is designed to provide students in the social sciences with an opportunity to construct and present a proposal for an original research project. Throughout the course students will study quantitative, qualitative, and experimental research methods common to the various social sciences. Students will have opportunities, throughout the course, to employ these various research methods through in-class and homework assignments. By participating in this course, students will become familiar with basic research methods to advance their understanding of their discipline and of social sciences. Students will learn how to critically evaluate research methods and research claims to become more informed consumers and producers of social science research. It is not expected that upon completion of the course that you will have acquired all the skills necessary to design and conduct your own research. Becoming a competent researcher requires in-depth course work in various aspects of research methodology as well as considerable "hands-on" experience. 3 credits SW 430 (PY 430) Crisis Intervention An introduction to the various types of crisis situations practitioners may encounter. In addition, the course will offer various techniques and provide presentations on a variety of components needed to assist the student in understanding the concepts of crisis intervention and management. Crisis events can occur in a variety of ways and, as practitioners, how we deal with these events can make the difference between healing and hindrance. Emphasis will be upon a general understanding of the implications of techniques to modify, manage, and cope with crisis situations. 3 credits SW 440 (PY 440) Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment This course is designed to familiarize students with child abuse in its multiple forms. Students will have the opportunity to learn the many signs and symptoms of child maltreatment that manifest in both childhood and adulthood and will investigate poisonous pedagogy, open/closed family systems, and the impact of shame on lives. Students will have an opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the types of child abuse as well as the signs and behaviors associated with each type. 3 credits SW 488 (PY 488) Intimate Partner Violence Seminar An overview of the knowledge and skills needed to understand the various forms of abuse, violence and harm perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner including, married, same-sex, or unmarried couples, or ex-partners. Particularly examines the research and literature on intimate partner violence to develop competencies in prevention, intervention and resources, and the implications for programs and policies to assist the victim and the abuser.
