SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE COURSES
SWG 520 (3) Social and Cultural Diversity
Study of social and cultural diversity in working with individuals, groups, families, communities and organizations and is framed by the Biblical affirmations that all persons are of inherent worth, are unconditionally loved and are intended to live in communities that protect and enhance their dignity and potential. Diversity within this course includes: people of color, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion/denominational affiliation, and disabled persons. Theories of oppression, discrimination, and social injustice; and their implication for social work practice are included.
SWG 525 (3) Human Behavior and Social Environment I
Applies theories and concepts from the behavioral and social sciences to the development of individuals and families. Theories of biological, psychological, social, cognitive, moral and spiritual development are studied in order to understand identity formation of individuals and the impact of individual development on family systems. Theories of family development are also included.
SWG 530 (3) Practice I
Prepares students for generalist social work practice with individuals and families. A strengths-based generalist approach to practice is the foundation for learning specific communication and counseling skills for working with individuals and families. Corequisite: SW 525. [Part-time student prerequisite: SWG 525].
SWG 540 (3) Social Work Policy and Services
Provides a foundation in the historical context of social work practice, including a specific focus on the significant role of the Church in the development of social welfare systems both past and present. This historical context is from the Elizabethan foundation of social work to the present. Students will gain skills in social welfare policy analysis that impacts individuals, groups, families, communities and organizations. Attention will be given to the function social welfare policy serves in addressing oppression, discrimination and social injustices and to how a framework of Christian ethics from Wesleyan perspective provides a framework and a dynamic for policy advocacy and development that advances justice.
SWG 550 (3) Field Instruction I
First part of the foundation practice supervised field experience. Begins in mid-October of the student\'s first year of study in the program, and includes 144 hours of field experience (18 hrs./ 8 wks.). Applies social work knowledge, values and skills in working as a generalist social worker. Includes a field seminar that meets biweekly for 2 hours for the entire semester and is designed to support students during the beginning of their field experience and to assist in connecting classroom learning and the field experience. Corequisite: SWG 530. [Part-time student takes in 2nd year.]
SWG 560 (3) Social Work Research
SWG 560 (3) Social Work Research--Introduces students to research design, sampling, data collection and data analysis procedures. Theoretical bases for development of research questions and conducting research are analyzed. The similarities and differences of practice and research processes are evaluated. The reciprocity between practice and research, particularly the use of single system design, is explored as a means to evaluate one\'s own practice. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are examined using research questions as a basis for selecting one or both types of methodologies in a study design. Statistics are reviewed with a particularly focus on SPSS for computer-assisted analysis of data. Prerequisite: PSY 315
SWG 565 (3) Human Behavior and Social Environment II
Applies theories and concepts about group, community and organizational development in order to understand client systems at all levels. Assessment strategies for working with mezzo and macro systems are included in this course, in order to provide a context for understanding system change at these levels. Particular emphasis is on social change related to oppression, discrimination and social injustice, with particular reference to the Biblical principles of social holiness as a foundation for servicing the needs of the poor, disenfranchised, and children and advocating for social justice. Prerequisites: SWG 520, 525.
SWG 570 (3) Practice II
Continues to prepare students as generalist social work practitioners from a strengths-based perspective. The focus in this course is on theories and skills in working with groups, communities and organizations. Corequisite: SWG 565. [Part-time student prerequisite: SWG 565.]
SWG 580 (3) Social Work and Wesleyan Theology
SWG 580 (3) Social Work and Wesleyan Theology--In-depth examination of the integration of Wesleyan Christian theology and social work. Students will deepen and broaden their knowledge of basic Wesleyan theological doctrines and principles and explore their application and relevance to social work purposes, values, ethics, history and practice in church-based and in traditional social work agencies.
SWG 585 (3) Advanced Standing Seminar I
A reading course designed to evaluate and prepare advanced standing students for beginning the graduate level work in the MSW program. This course and SWG 595 Seminar II guide students in a review of generalist knowledge, values and skills as well as acquaints them with foundational readings relevant to the mission and goals of the MSW program at Asbury College. Prerequisite: advanced standing admission.
SWG 590 (3) Field Instruction II
Continuation of Field Instruction I which includes 270 hours (18 hrs./15 wks.) of the required 414 hours of foundation year field placement. Field Instruction II occurs throughout the spring semester of the foundation year of study. A formalized Learning Agreement is developed and is the framework for the ongoing learning experience during this semester. Includes a field seminar that meets biweekly for 2 hours and is designed to support students in connecting classroom learning and the field experience. Corequisite: SWG 570. [Part-time student takes in 2nd year.]
SWG 595 (3) Advanced Standing Seminar II
Continues to prepare advanced standing students for entry into the graduate level of study in the MSW program. This is an on-campus course with an emphasis on reviewing and adding to the generalist practice knowledge and skills offered at the undergraduate level. This course also includes content on research process and skills at a producer level, rather than the consumer level that is taught in most undergraduate programs. Prerequisite: advanced standing admission.
SWG 625 (3) Psychopathology and Assessment
Provides an understanding of various kinds of disorders that social work clients in mental health and other settings may experience. Helps students define the clinical entities, to explore their etiology and natural course, and to learn how to link diagnosis, assessment and intervention. Emphasis placed on concepts of labeling and stigmatization, and how to employ an empowerment approach with clients who suffer from these disorders. Complexity of the intersection between mental/emotional and physical selves explored.
SWG 630 (3) Advanced Theories in Practice with Family Systems
An integrative family-centered model to social work practice is presented in this course and is the organizing framework to learn about various individual and family therapy approaches that can be used with children, adolescents, adults and/or family systems. The theories presented in the course includes: Bowen\'s family systems, Structural family therapy, Strategic, solution-focused, narrative, cognitive-behavioral experiential, and psychodynamic therapy. The assessment and therapeutic process, presented in this course, focuses on relationship-building with individual family members, subsystems, and the entire family system. Assessment is presented relevant to these various treatment approaches.
SWG 640 (3) Child and Family Policy
Reviews the roots of contemporary family policy and the construction of national family policy relevant to child and families. It applies policy analysis skills, learned in the foundation year, to the examination of current policies and their impact on service delivery to client system, with a specific emphasis on low-income populations. The various levels where policy is forged through debate, enacted, and implemented is examined.
SWG 650 Field Instruction III
This course is the first part of the advanced practice supervised field experience. The field experience begins in September and continues through December. The student completes 270 hours of field experience (18 hours for 15 weeks). A formalized Learning Agreement is developed and is the framework for the ongoing learning experience during this semester. The focus of the field experience is to apply social work knowledge, values and skills in working as an advanced social work practitioner with children, adolescents, adults, and/or family systems. The course includes a field seminar that meets biweekly for 2 hours for the entire semester and is designed to assist students to integrate classroom learning with the field experiences. This course is taken simultaneously with Advanced Theories in Practice, and is in the 4th year of the part-time program.
SWG 661 (2) Applied Research--Need Assessment
This applied research course option focuses on need assessment studies. The process for conducting a need assessment for new services by a new agency or existing agency is presented. The students apply the research processes and skills, taught in the foundation course, by conducting actual need assessment study as an individual or as a group.
SWG 662 (2) Applied Research–Program Outcomes
SWG 662 (2) Applied Research-Program Outcomes--This applied research course option focuses on program outcomes. The students are taught advanced skills in conducting program outcome evaluation for their own practice as well as at an agency level. During the semester the students are involved in program outcome measurement within an agency setting. This setting may be their concentration year field placement or another setting arranged by the course professor. The study is conducted either individually or with a group.
SWG 663 (2) Applied Research--Proposal Writing
This applied research course option focuses on proposal writing. The students are taught the process for completing a proposal for funding of new or existing services provided by a social work agency. The students participate, during the semester, in writing a proposal based on actual guidelines from a funding source. The project is either individual or as a group. It is not necessary for the actual proposal to be submitted to the funding source in order to complete the course. The experience of proposal writing is the key focus of the course.
SWG 670 (3) Advanced Interventions with Children and Families
Explores advanced theory and intervention approaches for social work practice with individuals, and family systems. Application of advanced practice theories is made to specific treatment issues experienced by children, adolescents, adult couples and family systems. Students research and analyze selected interventions, and conduct a training presentation for their colleagues. The final assignment in this course is for students to develop their own model of practice, as a responsible eclectic social work practitioner.
SWG 680 (2) Social Justice and Ethical Issues
This is the integrative capstone course for the program. The course examines principles and theories that influence and define the concept of social justice. The interface of the Judeo-Christian value perspective and social work values, attitudes and principles is analyzed. Based on the theories of social justice and on Christian theological principles, particularly the responsibility for Christian disciples to advance social holiness, students explore value perspectives, decision-making and ethical actions in social work practice. Specific service and advocacy needs of low income populations are examined. Must be taken in the final semester of the program.
SWG 690 (3) Field Instruction IV
Continuation of Field Instruction III which includes 270 hours of field experience (18 hrs./15 weeks) of the required 540 hours of advanced field placement. A formalized Learning Agreement is developed and is the framework for the ongoing learning experience during this semester. The course includes a field seminar that meets biweekly for 2 hours and is designed to assist students to integrate classroom learning with the field experiences. Corequisite: SWG 670. [Part-time students take in 4th year.]
SWG 710 (3) International Social Work
Experientially-based course that explores social work in an international context(s) in collaboration with Christian-faith-based organizations engaged in social services, community development and/or disaster relief activities. The course is centered in a 7-10 day visit to an international social work context where students will experience a non-U.S. culture, experience a contrasting social welfare system, engage in dialogue with service-providers and policy-makers and provide direct-service to low-income families and/or children. The international on-site component will be preceded and followed by required seminars. Prerequisite: approval of instructor.
SWG 720 (3) Multidimensional Assessment
Designed to provide student with differential assessment knowledge and skills for working with mental health settings with children, adolescents, and/or adults. Using a multidimensional approach based on a strengths perspective, the course provides skills related to various aspects of assessment - processes, instruments, and skills. The impact of discrimination, oppression and economic deprivation, and the role of values and ethics is also explored. Corequisite or prerequisite: SWG 625.
SWG 733 (3) Family Violence
In-depth analysis of the dynamics of family violence. The analysis considers social, political and economic dynamics that affect individuals and families. Appropriate assessment and treatment strategies to restore healthy family functioning and empower the victims are examined. Emphasis is on the need for quality direct services as well as public policy change.