Undergraduate Studies Catalog

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK (SOWK)

Water Tower Campus:
Siedenburg Hall 200
Phone: 312-915-7005
FAX: 312-915-7645
www.luc.edu/depts/social_work

Professor Emerita: M. Dwyer

Associate Professors: E. Gumz (chairperson), M. Lundy, J. Rasheed, M. Vidal de Haymes

Assistant Professors: K. Gilbert, S. Grossman, T. Kilbane, J. Marley, S. Simon

Adjunct Professor: L. Laurie

The major in social work is offered at the Water Tower Campus. Courses are also available at the Lake Shore Campus. There are programs for both full and part-time students.

STUDIES IN SOCIAL WORK

The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Social Work cooperatively administer an accredited undergraduate social work program which offers a bachelor of science degree with a major in social work. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The bachelor’s degree prepares students to be generalist social work practitioners. This is the beginning level professional degree in social work. Faculty who teach in the undergraduate social work program are committed to educating students to work with vulnerable populations and to be sensitive to issues of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and disability. Students will receive 450 hours of field instruction with individualized supervision. Social workers can practice in many arenas including, but not limited to, health care, child welfare, social welfare policy, domestic violence, homelessness, corrections, juvenile justice, administration, and mental health.

Because of the shared value system, related educational thrust and experience in social work practice through the practicum, undergraduate students can elect to continue their education in the master’s program. The School of Social Work offers graduate studies leading to the degrees of Master of Social Work (MSW) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The MSW program includes social work in school settings and health settings, and dual degree programs in law and divinity.

Students with non-social work undergraduate majors who intend to apply for admission to the MSW program should be certain that they meet the requirements for a well rounded undergraduate preparation, preferably in the liberal arts. No academic credit is given for either life experience or previous work experience. Further information about the master’s program can be obtained from the School of Social Work, Loyola University, 820 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. (312-915-7005)

DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS

Requirements for the Major in Social Work: Eleven courses totaling 36 credit hours are required: 200, 201, 301, 302, 305, 307, 330, 340, 350, 370, and 390. The application for the social work major must be submitted to the department chairperson. Ordinarily a grade point average of 2.50 is required for admission to the major. All applications with GPA’s between 2.00-2.50 will be reviewed by the undergraduate committee for a decision regarding admission on a probationary basis. A contract for raising the GPA to 2.50 will be developed by the undergraduate committee with the student whose GPA is below 2.50. The student’s academic advisor in the department is responsible for assisting the student to implement the terms of the contract. If the student is not able to raise the GPA to a 2.50 during the probationary period of two semesters, the student will not be allowed to continue in the major.

The student is assigned a faculty advisor who meets with the student at least once each semester to review progress and plan courses for the following semester.

The student is required to earn a grade of at least "C" in each social work course. If a student receives more than one course grade below "C" in social work, he/she may be withdrawn from the program. A "D"+ or "D" in a required course does not fulfill the prerequisite for any subsequent required social work course.

Seniors who have achieved a "B" average may register for 500-level elective courses in the graduate program. Graduate courses may be used to fulfill elective or major hours in the College of Arts and Sciences. With approval of the chairperson and the associate dean of the School of Social Work, six credit hours may be accepted in the master’s program. In no case may a student apply the same course to fulfill requirements for both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.

Requirements for the Field Placement: All students who plan to graduate with a major in social work must fulfill the requirement of a one-year practicum in a community agency designated and approved by the School of Social Work.

The application for admission to the social work practicum courses (330 and 340) must be submitted in writing to the director of field practice. A personal interview also is required. Students are not to contact agencies to set up a field placement without approval of the field director. Applications and interviews for the field practicum are scheduled during February and March of each year, and any students planning to begin the practicum must successfully complete the interview and the application process. Students must have satisfactorily completed or anticipate completion of SOWK 200, 201, 301, 305, and 390 prior to the fall of their senior year in order to participate in the application process for the field practicum. Ordinarily, the one-year field is designed as a two-semester (330 and 340), two full days each week, 450 hours a year placement, in which students are required to assume the duties of a professional social worker. The field courses (330 & 340) must each be passed with a grade of "C" or above. If a student receives a grade below "C" in either course, both field courses must be repeated at a different field site.

Related Course Requirements for Social Work Majors: PSYC 101, SOCL 101, PLSC 101; six hours of social science electives; a three-credit human biology course (Natural Science 103, 104, 108 or 109).

Requirements for the Minor in Social Work: Students interested in a minor in social work should consult the chairperson of the Social Work Department regarding a sequence of six courses (totaling 18 hours) which must include SOWK 200 201, 305, and 390. Grades of "C" or better must be earned in all minor courses. An application for the social work minor may be obtained at the departmental office.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR IN SOCIAL WORK (B.S.)
 

	Courses	Credit Hrs.
Social work	11	36
Communicative/expressive arts	1	3
English 105, 106	2	6
Foreign language	2	6
History 101, 102-107	2	6
Literature	3	9
Mathematics (Statistics is strongly recommended)	1	3
Natural science (including one in human biology)	3	9
Philosophy core	3	9
Social science (PLSC 101, PSYC 101, SOCL 101)	3	9
Social science electives*	2	6
Theology	3	9
Elective courses	6	17
TOTAL	42	128

*Approved by the chairperson of the Social Work Department.

Sequence of Courses: SOWK 200, 201, and 301, 305 and 390 are prerequisites for the social work practice courses.

Requirements for the Honors Program: Candidates for the honors degree must meet the general requirements for collegiate honors. In fulfilling the requirements of their major department, candidates must take two honors tutorial classes.

Requirements for Departmental Honors in Social Work: Candidates are expected to achieve a 3.50 or higher cumulative academic average, and for all courses in the major, both social work and ancillary requirements, totaling forty-five semester credit hours.

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

200. Introduction to Social Work. (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
Introduction to the social work profession through the identification of some of the human problems in society and the role of both society and social services in response to the problems discussed. Students have the opportunity to observe several social service agencies and to evaluate current ways in which agencies interpret social problems and administer services.

201. Social Welfare Policy and Services I. (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
Analysis of institutional structures of welfare as they relate to social problems. Selected major values and interests in American society are used to analyze the social welfare institution. Students are expected to be able to describe and analyze current social welfare policies and social services, as well as to be familiar with how social welfare and social work have evolved within a historical, societal and political context.

205. Child Welfare Services. (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
Survey of the field of child welfare with consideration of various social services. Particular focus on abused and neglected children, foster care, adoption, and institutionalization.

301. Social Work Methods I. (4)
Prerequisite: 200. Junior standing.
Analysis of core social work concepts, skills, and activities upon which practice methodology is organized. The overall structure of a generalist’s practice methodology is evaluated from its applicability to various social problems and to a range of social service settings. Didactic and experiential learning formats are utilized to enhance professional identification and development. A full semester of volunteer experience in a social agency is required.

302. Social Work Methods II.
Prerequisite: 301; corequisite 330.
Discussion and systematic study of the application of methodological principles to practice experience, emphasizing relationship skills, assessment principles, and intervention activities and goals. The active, purposeful and planned participation of both client and worker in the social work process is highlighted, as well as the worker’s use of self as the major tool in the helping endeavor.

303. Group Process. (3)
Prerequisite: junior standing.
Introduction to the theoretical and practical factors which influence group functioning. Topics covered include: the different types of groups and their influence, the helpful aspects of group process, group dynamics, stages in group development, planning and implementing a new group, leadership skills, group work in a social services setting, ethical considerations in working with groups and group work with disadvantaged populations.

305. Human Behavior and the Social Environment. (3)
Prerequisites: junior standing, SOWK 200; PSYC 101; NTSC 103 or equivalent; or consent of the chairperson.
This course draws from biological, behavioral and social sciences content. It focuses on social systems theory, its applicability to understanding social functioning and the effects of larger systems on human interaction. Human diversity is highlighted as an integral part of the knowledge base necessary for working with people. Theory and concepts are applied to social work practice.

307. Social Welfare Policy and Services II. (3)
Prerequisites: 201, 301; corequisite, 330; or consent of the chairperson.
Focusing upon the social worker within a political, organizational and community context, emphasis is given to how social workers can actively participate in the implementation of policy and change activities. Policy skills as related to needs assessment, community analysis, and assessment of organizations serve as a backdrop to designing alternatives which focus upon target populations, levels of intervention, program strategy, types of evaluation, and constituencies’ expectations.

308. Children, Families and the Law. (3)
Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of the chairperson.
An analysis of children and families from a socio-legal perspective. The emphasis will not be on the changing details of the law but on basic legal principles, institutions, and processes which affect children and families, and which are important for helping professionals to understand and advocate for children and families.

330. Social Work Practice I. (4)
Prerequisites: 201, 301, 305, 390, permission of fieldwork director; corequisite 302.
Provides a structured practice experience in a social agency setting where classroom theory is utilized and integrated with beginning practice skills.

340. Social Work Practice II. (4)
Prerequisite: 330.
Builds on the practice experience acquired in 330. There is continued emphasis on utilization and integration of theory.

350. Integrative Practice Seminar.
Prerequisites: senior standing, 330; corequisite 340.
Provides an opportunity to assess and deepen integration of theory from courses and readings with practice experiences. Objectives are to strengthen professional identification and to facilitate the transfer from social work education to professional practice or graduate studies.

360. Independent Study. (1-3)
Prerequisite: junior standing.
A course designed for individuals or small groups to focus on selected issues and problems in social work practice beyond the course offerings.

361. Special Topics. (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
A survey course on a particular topic such as aging, alcoholism and drug dependency, family process, group process, American Black men: gender, race, and culture.

370. Cultural Diversity. (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
An examination of the major economic, social, institutional and political forces which have shaped the experiences and life chances of persons within African, Asian, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Native American cultures. The course will explore the relevance of diversity to social work values and interventions. The concept of social and economic justice in relation to diversity will be explored.

390. Introduction to Research Methods. (3)
Prerequisites: 200, 201, junior standing.
The course is designed to promote the development of a scientific stance and to enable students to acquire a basic knowledge of social work research methods and a beginning competency in using these as tools of generalist practice. A special emphasis is placed on interrelating various aspects of research methodology with tasks of the social worker and on enhancing professional accountability.

391. Statistics. (CRMJ 316)
Prerequisite: CRMJ 315 or SOWK 390 or consent of the Social Work chairperson.
The course is designed to enrich knowledge of statistical methods and develop further skills in statistical analysis used in studying social welfare issues such as poverty, child welfare and delinquency. The emphasis is on the use of statistical procedures, measures and tests, rather than their mathematical derivation; statistics as an objective and precise tool in describing, interpreting and predicting observable social phenomena.

394H. Honors Reading Tutorial I. (1)
Prerequisite: honors student status.

395H. Honors Reading Tutorial II. (2)
Prerequisite: honors student status.

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