Loyola University Chicago

• New: SWFI 530-531. Integrative Practice Seminar I
• New: SWFI 630-631. Integrative Practice Seminar II

Human Behavior in the Social Environment Sequence

This sequence of courses provides students with a biopsychosocial knowledge base to understand and assess the person-environment configuration in work with individuals, families and groups.

SOWK 500. Human Behavior in the Social Environment I

(3 cr.) This course studies the life cycle of the individual from in utero through old age and death from a biopsychosocial perspective via multiple theoretical frameworks. Individual growth and development is studied in the context of culture, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, families and other social systems. Attention is also given to the impact of trauma, loss and environmental stressors on the individual and the family.

SOWK 501. Human Behavior in the Social Environment II

(3 cr.) Prerequisite: 500. This course focuses on deepening the student's knowledge of human behavior. Maladaptive patterns of adult psychological functioning are examined.

SOWK 502. Ethnicity, Race and Culture: Diversity in Human Experience

(3 cr.) The course provides an orientation to the diversity of cultural values, family structures, and life styles within the United States. Particular attention will be given to African, Asian, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Native American populations and their experiences. The review of cultural life styles with any group culture provides an understanding of diversity within groups regarding gender, class, immigration, history, affectional preferences, level of acculturation, color, language, religion/spirituality. These cultural components are discussed in relation to the consequences of institutional responses of the larger society to these groups as well as data collection, assessment and intervention for social work practice.

Practice Methods Sequence

Methods courses prepare students for direct practice with individuals, families and small groups. This preparation requires a progressive identification with the values of social work, mastery of the knowledge on which practice is based, and development of practice skills. A wide range of theories and varied approaches are utilized to accomplish these goals in order that professional roles and functions may be effectively integrated.

SOWK 503. Social Work with Individuals and Families I

(3 cr.) Prerequisite or co-requisite: SOWK 500. Theory for social work practice is studied, using an integrated social systems and biopsychosocial model. The student is introduced to the profession through its history, its conceptual development and through an examination of the values, knowledge and skills which characterize it. The course content focuses on the worker/client relationship and development of assessment, intervention and evaluation skills.

SOWK 504. Social Work with Individuals and Families II

(3 cr.) Prerequisite: SOWK 503. This course is concerned with social work as intervention with clients. The focus of the course is on individualized treatment planning and execution, based on diagnosis and the social worker's disciplined use of professional skills.

SOWK 505. Social Work with Small Groups

(3 cr.) Prerequisite or co-requisite: SOWK 503. This course presents theoretical approaches to social work with small groups, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of small group process and appropriate worker intervention.

Research Sequence

The need of practitioners to be accountable and evaluate their own practice, programs, and service delivery requires them to have research skills. The research sequence is designed to enable the student to prepare for three roles: l) the role of a competent evaluator of one's own practice; 2) the role of a responsible and critical consumer of social work research; and 3) the role of an active participant in knowledge-generating inquiries. This includes collection and use of data for the development of service as well as the clarification of clinical issues in social work practice. Taking into account students' professional goals, two options are offered, each consisting of two sequential three-credit courses.

SOWK 506. Methods of Social Work Research

(3 cr.) The social work profession depends on knowledge-generating activities using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In recognition of these needs, this sequence is designed to enable students to prepare for three roles: 1) a competent evaluator of one's own practice and programs; 2) a responsible and critical consumer of social work research; and 3) an active participant in knowledge-generating inquiries.

SOWK 606. Practicum in Research

(3 cr.) This course builds on the foundation content offered in SOWK 506. Knowledge gained in clinical concentration can be organized and regulated by the principles of scientific inquiry. This course integrates research and practice for the student, builds on the student's understanding of research paradigms, and offers the opportunity to apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to their line of inquiry.

SOWK 622-SOWK 623. Advanced Work in Research

(3 cr. each) These courses enable students to undertake an individual research project on a selected problem in areas related to their advanced clinical focus and conduct it to completion. The student is expected to proceed through all phases of research problem-solving and submit a formal research report at the end of the second semester.

Elective

SOWK 690 Independent Study

Social Welfare Policy and Services Sequence

Courses in this area are designed to help students: understand social welfare policies and programs, their sociohistorical development, current operation and the values that inform social choices; develop familiarity with analytical concepts and standards in relation to the impact of policies and programs on direct practice and people; acquire knowledge and skills in policy formulation, services planning and positive change.

SOWK 507. Social Welfare and Social Work

(3 cr.) This course examines social welfare problems, the system of social welfare, and its interrelationships with direct practice and the delivery of services. Particular emphasis is placed on the examination of different political and economic conceptions, as well as the ways in which they shape social programs and social work practice.

SOWK 509. Policies and Strategies for Community Intervention

(3 cr.) Prerequisite or corequisite: SOWK 507. This course provides a review of community organization theory and practice at both the macro and micro levels. Basic models of community organization theory and practice are highlighted, including locality development, social planning, and social action as well as major policy issues that relate to communities. Special attention is given to the historical base of community organization in America, citizen/consumer participation, volunteerism, assessment of community needs, impact of racism, and community work and intervention techniques. Students will examine the range of social work roles and functioning in community organization practice from the personal individual participant perspective to the social worker/ professional organizer perspective, and as a policy-maker.

SOWK 608. Social Work and Law

(3 cr.) Prerequisites: All 500-level required SOWK courses. This course examines the relationship between social work and law, development of the law and legal systems, and common areas of interest and practice of social workers and lawyers. Attention is focused on assisting social workers in recognizing legal issues and problems within their professional and personal lives, as well as providing instruction on proper preparation of written information and courtroom testimony. Particular emphasis is placed on issues in child welfare, family, juvenile, school and administrative law, as well as legal issues in medicine, mental health, and work with the aged.

SOWK 610F. Social Policy and Practice: Children and Family

(3 cr.) Prerequisites: All 500-level required SOWK courses. This advanced course focuses on the interface between children, adolescents, and families and the ecosystem. Particular attention is given to the major social institutions influencing children, adolescents and families: schools, workplace, economy, child welfare, health care, and religion. Course content considers the response of families, communities and organizations to new legislation, changing policy and social trends impacting day-to-day existence. Diversity in racial, ethnic, class, sexual orientations, and family composition are addressed in relation to children, families and social institutions and policies. Students in school social work substitute SOWK 609.

SOWK 610H. Social Policy and Practice: Health and Mental Health

(3 cr.) Prerequisites: All 500-level required SOWK courses. This advanced seminar in this cluster focuses on the interface between persons with health and/or mental health problems or conditions, the system of service delivery and the ecosystem which includes politics, economics and social institutions as organizing forces. This course addresses the responses of individuals, families, communities and organizations to health and mental health problems. It examines new legislation, changing policy, prevention and social trends that impact the delivery of health and mental services. Students in health care substitute SOWK 602.

Field Instruction Sequence

Field courses are usually taken concurrently with classes. The field course requirement comprises four sequential courses which are divided into two levels. Students typically are placed in an agency for two days each week at the first level of study, (students taking 500-level courses) and for three days each week at the second level (600 level courses). In some instances, block placements and other variations may be arranged by the director of field instruction.

Concurrent placements begin in September and end in May. Students are given two weeks of vacation over the Christmas break and one week of vacation for the Spring break. Students will negotiate the exact dates that they plan to be away with their field instructors. A block placement requires the completion of a minimum of 60 working days for a first-level placement and a minimum of 90 working days for a second-level placement. In no case will credit be granted for less than 450 hours in the first-level placement and 675 hours in the second-level placement. In most cases, given the clinical responsibilities of interns, the amount of time in placement will exceed the minimum hours.

The School of Social Work maintains an affiliation with many of the agencies, organizations and human services programs within Chicago and the larger metropolitan area. Students have the opportunity to work with clients representing a wide range of socioeconomic, racial and cultural backgrounds. The placement of first-level students in field agencies is determined by the assessment of learning needs identified through information contained in the student's fieldwork application. Students at the second level of study are actively involved in the planning of their field placements. Student field placements must be jointly approved by the school and field agency. It may not be possible to process field course applications that are received after the date announced each year.

Students are expected to arrange their schedules in order to meet the demands of the field course which may involve as much as an hour of travel time to the agency each day. The school assumes no responsibility for reimbursement of field agency travel costs. Students should consult the field manual for further information. Students in field courses and all other courses must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.

SWFI 530-531. Field Instruction I and II

(1 cr. Each) Prerequisites for SWFI 530: SOWK 500, 503 or concurrent enrollment. Prerequisites for SWFI 531: All foundation-level courses prior to or concurrent with 531. First-level fieldwork courses provide the opportunity for students to acquire, integrate and develop foundation knowledge and skills related to social work practice through a practicum experience. Students utilize a systems theory and biopsychosocial perspective that provides a basis for generalist practice, including the person-in-situation point of view. Students work directly with clients and client systems to learn about social work relationships, the professional code of ethics, assessment, treatment planning and intervention. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations, and learn to evaluate change resulting from their own practice.

SWFI 630-631. Field Instruction III and IV

(2 cr. Each) Prerequisites: completion of all 500-level courses and two 600-level methods electives or courses required for the cluster taken before or concurrent with the field placement. The third and fourth semesters of field instruction are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills that underlie the practice of clinical social work. Students at the second-level choose a special focus or cluster (social work with children and families or health and mental health). The practicum course provides students with the opportunity to work in a setting and with a population related to the cluster they choose while taking supportive course work. Students are able to develop critical thinking and practice skills while interning in the setting of their choice. Second-level fieldwork courses build on the core content of the first-level experience as students learn to deal with more complex issues of the clinical process.

SWFI 640-641. Post-M.S.W. Field Instruction I and II

(4.5 cr. each) Individually arranged field courses for students who have been accepted into advanced pro-grams. Permission from the director of the post-master's program is required.

Elective Courses

In addition to the 45 semester hours of required coursework, 10 hours of electives are required. While students may take any elective for which they have prerequisites, the sequencing of courses and the selection of electives should be done with the advice of the faculty advisor. Please note: two 600-level electives are required prior to or concurrent with the second-level field courses. Be sure to check the prerequisites in the course descriptions which follow. When an elective is oversubscribed, the school reserves the right to close registration.

500-Level Courses

SOWK 512. Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse

(3 cr.) A multi-theoretical understanding of substance abuse is emphasized. A family systems orientation provides the framework for discussion of the knowledge and techniques needed for social workers to identify, assess and treat substance abuse problems.

SOWK 515. Social Work with Children

(3 cr.) This course explores social work practice with children from the ecological perspective. It focuses on the myriad services provided to children and their families and the social worker's role in providing these services. Areas of child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, foster care, adoption and daycare are reviewed in detail to give students an understanding of the dynamics involved. The ecological viewpoint provides the backdrop to the way these issues affect the systems to which children and their families belong. 600-Level Courses
All 500-level required courses must be completed prior to enrollment in 600-level SOWK courses.

SOWK 602. Health Policy and Health Systems

(3 cr.) Health-care systems are examined in the context of social policy and healthcare needs. The effects of different levels of healthcare interventions, changing roles and responsibilities of government, the voluntary sector and the proprietary sector are assessed in relation to access and utilization of health care. Cultural and class factors are considered in relation to differential risks and healthcare services.

SOWK 603. Seminar in Brief Treatment for Clinical Social Work Practice

(3 cr.) This seminar builds on the student's knowledge of short-term treatment, expanding this knowledge and skill toward understanding, and the practice of brief treatment as a modality of social work intervention. It examines the essential components of brief treatment: selection of clients, goals, focus, treatment approaches and techniques. Differences and common elements of three approaches to brief treatment (task-centered, crisis intervention, brief psychotherapy) are explored and related to social work practices with individual clients. Special consideration is given to the dynamics of the first interview with clients. Emphasis is placed on integrating theory with practice skill through the use of current clinical material from the student's fieldwork course.

SOWK 604. Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups

(3 cr.) Building on the basic course in social work with small groups (SOWK 505), this course focuses on developing deeper understanding and skill in the area of group therapy. The course includes examination of process of "live" group therapy, using the class group as well as the student's field course experience for learning purposes.

SOWK 605. Human Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction

(3 cr.) This course provides basic knowledge about the physiology and psychology of human sexuality as well as consideration of some areas of sexual dysfunction. In addition to the knowledge component, attention is focused on cultural, societal, and personal attitudes which may affect the student's response to this area of practice. The problems of sexual dysfunction are considered within the context of the client relational patterns and individual adjustments. Current treatment modalities are reviewed and examined within the context of social work values.

SOWK 607. The Development of Psychodynamic Theory

(3 cr.) This course will cover five different historical and current areas of psychodynamic theory: 1) drive and structural theory, 2) ego psychology, 3) object relations theories, 4) self psychology, and 5) new theories derived from research on infants. Emphasis is on understanding the evolution of psychodynamic theory over time, (i.e., how different theories have both built upon and diverged from each other, and what their respective strengths and limitations are). Applications to social work practice will be explored and discussed.

SOWK 608. Social Work and Law

(3 cr.) This course will provide an overview of the legal system, the role of social workers in the court system, and provide tools to assist students in developing reports appropriate for legal review.

SOWK 609. Social Work Practicum in the Schools

(3 cr.) This course focuses on the roles of social workers in schools, including provision of direct service, consultation, advocacy, program development and evaluation, and liaison with family and community systems. A perspective on school social work is developed through a historical view of social work in schools and identification of issues in the delivery of social work services in schools. Significant legislation such as laws pertaining to special education, family rights and privacy, and due process will be included. Content areas are supported by value positions stemming from the professional social work value base and the professional code of ethics. This course should be taken concurrently with a school field placement.

SOWK 611. Treatment of Couples with Marital Problems

(3 cr.) This course explores clinical models and techniques for the treatment of couples with relationship problems. Primary attention is given to the integration of systemic and analytical theories. Specific strategies and techniques are presented and demonstrated via simulations and video. Theories of change in social work treatment are discussed, and students are encouraged to identify their own theoretical framework and capabilities as social work practitioners. Attention is given to the range of symptomatology and dysfunction, including sexual dysfunction and severe disturbances. Diagnosis and treatment of a variety of dyadic relationships are discussed, including unmarried, gay and lesbian couples.

SOWK 612. Family Diagnosis and Treatment

(3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the field of family diagnosis and treatment. It provides a base of selected theoretical concepts and practice techniques which may be utilized to assess family functioning, organize therapeutic systems and facilitate processes of family development and positive change.

SOWK 613. Advanced Family Therapy

(3 cr.) This seminar course is designed to deepen student clinical practice competence in family therapy. Through lecture, discussion and experiential exercises, including formation of simulated families, use of case vignettes and films, the course will focus on refining understanding of the therapeutic process and the development of treatment skills. Students will advance their understanding of the relationship between treatment goals and treatment techniques. Students will gain experience on the intellectual and affective levels in executing the roles and tasks of family therapists.

SOWK 614. Clinical Social Work Practice in Health Care

(3 cr.) The components of psychosocial assessment and treatment are integrated with the aspects of the medical and physical functioning of the person-situation configuration. Coping tasks of individuals and family members are viewed from a perspective of growth based upon the psychosocial capacities of the persons involved, pre-illness coping patterns, phases of the illness process and prognosis for physical functioning and life. Cultural and class factors are emphasized relative to family health belief systems and how such factors interact with access to and utilization of healthcare services. Students in the healthcare program should take this course with the advanced field placement.

SOWK 615. The Adolescent Client: Diagnosis and Treatment

(3 cr.) This course emphasizes knowledge of critical dimensions of adolescent ego development (normal and pathogenic) and draws primarily from analytic ego psychological theory. The vicissitudes of therapeutic relationships with adolescents are explored, focusing on stages in the treatment process, the modes of expression available to clinicians, and clinicians' differential judgments regarding technique and communication. While a psychodynamic approach is emphasized within the context of an individual treatment model, some issues relative to family and group psychotherapy will be addressed.

SOWK 616. Psychotherapy with Adults

(3 cr.) This course focuses on the content and process of psychodynamically-based psychotherapy with adults. Course content includes areas of diagnostic evaluation, the phasic treatment process, the therapeutic alliance, transference and counter-transference, frameworks for understanding communications and therapeutic techniques.

SOWK 617. Clinical Diagnosis and Therapeutic Treatment

(3 cr.) Utilizing a developmental framework and a structural approach to clinical diagnosis, this course focuses on the manner in which individuals organize and understand their environments in harmony with the functioning of their inner lives. Selective perception and the concept of the transitional object are emphasized as basic to the development of both cognitive and affective development. Case material is analyzed to demonstrate the manner in which client communication can be understood from this point of view. Attention is then paid to how counter-transference reactions and worker-client interactions within the treatment situation can be used to promote growth. Although there is some illustrative material from work with neurotic clients, the course deals primarily with work with pre-oedipal disorders.

SOWK 618. The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Psychotherapy

(3 cr.) This advanced elective examines the predominate practice theories regarding religion and spirituality for the "person-in-the-situation". Included in the course material are relevant psychodynamic, philosophical, theological and sociocultural understands of the interface between psychotherapy and religion and spiritual beliefs and practices of our clients and of ourselves. This course is designed to assist clinical social workers in their development as critically reflective of and responsive to the diversity of religious and spiritual values, ethics, and principles that contribute to the world-view of practitioners and the people with whom they work.

SOWK 619. Issues in the Treatment of Women

(3 cr.) This course focuses on the identification and application of treatment strategies relevant to practice with women. Issues in diagnosis include: high prevalence disorders in women, developmental and role issues, and female identity issues. Relationship issues are identified based on understanding sexism and stereotyping in society and social work as a "female profession." Intervention process issues include focus on female populations including battered, minority, and alcoholic women.

SOWK 620. Clinical Social Work Practice with Children

(3 cr.) This course is designed to help students attain a mastery of the central concepts in direct social work treatment of children. The course begins with an overview of the major mental disorders from which children suffer, and then covers interviewing skills and formulating diagnosis and treatment plans with children. Students are introduced to the various modalities available for clinical social work practice with children, and different theoretical models that have been developed for understanding and treating children.

SOWK 626. Treatment of Clients with Severe Mental Illness: Theory & Practice

(3 cr.) This elective course offers students the opportunity to learn about leading-edge social work approaches to providing humane care for severely mentally ill clients, especially those clients with concomitant substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and severe socioeconomic disadvantage. This course offers students a comprehensive approach to social work practice with this population, which includes outreach, clinical assessment, and treatment planning. Working with the client's environment, collaboration with other systems, advocacy and program development are considered. The course uses a strengths-perspective, in that the emphasis is on understanding the severely mentally ill client's experience of illness and his/her strengths, and improving the processes associated with acquiring care.

SOWK 627. Infant Growth and Development (Typical and Atypical) (ERIK E39A)

(3 cr.) The goal of this course is that students acquire a working knowledge of infant development, including the developmental patterns of infants at risk. This knowledge includes an understanding of the basic developmental processes in the domains of cognitive, social/emotional, communication and motor development. Throughout the course, consideration will be given to the interaction of social, cultural, and interpersonal environments with infant development. Special focus will be placed on the influences of developmental challenges in the child's emerging capacities for engagement in relationships and in learning. (Note: This course is cross-listed with the Erikson Institute)

SOWK 631. Clinical Social Work Practice with Family Violence

(3 cr.) Prerequisites: All required 500 courses; Family Diagnosis and Treatment ( SOWK 612) or consent of instructor. This course will focus on the occurrence of violence, the various theoretical perspectives and the treatment of violence as it is experienced by various family members. The content of the course will include clinical social work assessment and intervention relevant to violence to family members.

SOWK 632. Social Work with the Aged

(3 cr.) The focus of this course is on practice with an aging clientele. It consists of understanding the issues of the developmental process of aging, and examining social work practice issues. The student is helped to develop diagnostic and treatment skills for work with the elderly population. Similarities and differences in treatment approaches with other age groups are reviewed and generic principles identified. Concrete service delivery and individual, family and small group treatment approaches are studied.

SOWK 645. Crises Intervention

(3 cr.) This course focuses on crises and emergencies, significant and stressful phenomena that are common in all aspects of social work. The definitions and implications of crisis (a period of emotional disequilibrium that lasts for up to 6 weeks) and emergency (an immediate situation that includes the potential for physical harm) are explored. A model of crisis intervention is presented, with a variety of case examples, along with an understanding of the importance of not conducting crisis intervention when a client is not in crisis. The nature of emergencies are also explored, with emphasis on potential suicide, potential violence, and states of impaired judgment that produce vulnerability to harm.

SOWK 644 . Ethics: Theory & Application

(3 cr.)

SOWK 690. Independent Study

(1, 2, or 3 cr.) Independent studies primarily are designed to supplement and enrich the elective components of the curriculum. The structure and content of a given study are developed by the student and the faculty member who is directing the course. A major work product is required. A maximum of 4 credit hours may be applied toward the degree.

Electives Available in Other Schools

Students accepted into the Loyola School of Social Work may take four elective credit hours of selected courses offered in other graduate departments, schools and programs of the university, as listed below. Students who wish to take such courses must contact their faculty advisors to make arrangements and secure permission to register.

• Institute of Human Resources and Industrial Relations
• Institute of Pastoral Studies
• School of Education
• School of Law
• Erikson Institute Advanced Study in Child Development
• Political Science Department
• Psychology Department
• Sociology Department