Courses in Social Work (SWSS)

SWSS 002 - Foundations of Social Work

An introduction to the profession of social work, its functions, values, knowledge, and the problems it addresses. Includes a service-learning component.

Credits: 3

SWSS 003 - Human Needs & Social Services

Students provide volunteer service in a human service agency, relate observations to theory about clients, agency structure, programs, and operations, and assess their commitment to the profession of social work. Prerequisite: 2 or instructor's permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 005 - Biosociopolitical Issues SW

Outlines human body organ systems and extrapolates from the biological into the socio-political. Bioethical dilemmas, environmental racism, and multiple chemical sensitivity studied from a social work perspective. Prerequisite: SW major or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 007 - Quantitative Meth SW Research

Introduction to statistics and social work research methods. This course introduces students to quantitative methodology in research and practice.

Credits: 3

SWSS 047 - D2:Human Beh in the Soc Envr I

Introduction to life-span development from birth to death. There is a primary focus on the individual. Prerequisites: 2, 3, or instructor's permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 048 - D2:Humn Beh in the Soc Envr II

A systems approach to understanding various levels of social organization; for example, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Prerequisite: 47.

Credits: 3

SWSS 055 - Special Topics

Designed so that its content and structure may accommodate special issues not offered within the boundaries of an existing course. Open to first-year and sophomore students.

Credits: 1 to 6

SWSS 060 - D1:Racism & Contemporary Issue

Study of perception, conceptualization, and comprehension of racism. Strategies, techniques, and procedures to identify and decrease many facets of racism.

Credits: 3

SWSS 140 - D1:SW w/Indigenous: VT Abenaki

An introduction to social work practice and cultural competency with the Abenaki tribe in Northwestern Vermont. An understanding of tribal history and traditions prepares students to work effectively and respectfully from a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and Social Work major. Cross-listed with U.S. Ethnic and ALANA Studies.

Credits: 3

SWSS 150 - Independent Study

Supervised practicum, readings, or research on special topics not within the boundaries of an existing course for advanced level students. Prerequistes: Social Work major, permission, pre-arrangement

Credits: 1 to 12

SWSS 160 - Soc Wrk Pr:Chld,Fam&Youth Svc

Explores perspectives relevant to child protection and family support. Emphasizes skills in writing reports, giving oral testimony, making referrals, interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical decision making, cultural competence. Pre/co-requisites: Junior status in social work, SWSS 002, SWSS 003, SWSS 047, SWSS 048 or permission of instructor.

Credits: 3

SWSS 164 - Intro Social Work Research

Introduction to models and methods of social research from a social work perspective. Prerequisites: 2, 3, 47, 48 or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 165 - Iss & Pol in Social Welfare I

An introduction to economic, political, historical, and social forces that influence the development and implementation of social welfare policy. Prerequisites: 2, 3, 47, 48 or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 166 - Iss & Pol in Social Welfare II

In-depth examination of social welfare policy and accompanying social services in the U.S.; major policy analysis models presented and used. Prerequisites: 165 or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 168 - Social Work Practice I

Social work theory and practice methods employed by social workers in providing services to individuals, families, and small groups. Prerequisite: Social Work major, senior standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 169 - Social Work Practice II

Social work theory and practice methods employed by social workers in providing services to groups, organizations, and communities. Prerequisites: Social Work major, SWSS 168, senior standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 171 - Field Experience Seminar I

Weekly integrative seminar; discussion of practice within field agency. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SWSS 173.

Credits: 3

SWSS 172 - Field Experience Seminar II

Weekly integrative seminar; discussion of practice within field agency. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SWSS 174.

Credits: 3

SWSS 173 - Field Experience I

Supervised field-based learning of 15-20 hours per week. Students are placed in human service agencies and organizations and learn the application of social work, theory, ethics and skills. Pre/co-requisites: Social work major, senior standing or permission, taken concurrently with SWSS 168 and SWSS 171.

Credits: 6

SWSS 174 - Field Experience II

Supervised field-based learning of 15-20 hours per week. Students are placed in human service agencies and organizations and learn the application of social work, theory, ethics and skills. Pre/co-requisites: Social work major, senior standing or permission, SWSS 168 and SWSS 171, taken concurrently with SWSS 169 and SWSS 172.

Credits: 6

SWSS 197 - Readings & Research

Prerequisite: Social Work major. Pre-arrangement only. Variable credit.

Credits: 1 to 4

SWSS 198 - Readings & Research

Credits: 1 to 4

SWSS 199 - Laboratory Experience

Supervised practicum for advanced level students. Pre/co-requisites: Social work major, permission, pre-arrangement.

Credits: 1 to 12

SWSS 200 - Contemporary Issues

Content and structure may accommodate special issues not especially appropriate within the boundaries of an existing course. Prerequisite: Permission.

Credits: 1 to 6

SWSS 212 - Social Work Practice I

A comprehensive introduction to concepts and skills employed by social workers in interactions and interventions with individuals, families, and groups is provided. Prerequisite: MSW standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 213 - Social Work Practice II

Knowledge and skills of social work practice with organizations and communities is emphasized. Prerequisite: Completion of SWSS 212, MSW advanced standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 216 - Th Found of Hum Beh&Soc Envr I

This course introduces students to the biological, psychological, cultural/social, and economic forces that influence human behavior and their implication for social work practice. Prerequisite: MSW standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 217 - Th Found Hum Beh&Soc Envr II

Focus is on theories regarding the nature and functioning of human service organizations and communities in relation to meeting human needs. Prerequisite: SWSS 216 or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 220 - Soc Welfare Pol & Services I

An introduction to history and philosophy of social work and social welfare and the structure of service programs is provided. Prerequisite: MSW standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 221 - Soc Welfare Pol & Services II

Focus is on the analysis of the economic, political, and social forces that influence the development and implementation of social welfare policy. Prerequisite: SWSS 220 or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 224 - Child Abuse & Neglect

An MSW foundation elective that considers child abuse and neglect from historical, cultural, sociopolitical and psychological perspectives and examines professional social work responses to them. Prerequisite: Matriculation in the foundation year of graduate study in social work or instructor permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 225 - Transf Ourselves&Comm:SW Persp

An MSW foundation elective that examines systems of oppression and social work strategies to decrease biased practices and create more equitable communities and institutions. Prerequisite: Matriculation in the foundation year of graduate study in social work or instructor permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 226 - Assessment Theory Social Work

An MSW foundation elective analyzing competing and complementary assessment theories and their implications in social work in health/mental health and with children and families. Prerequisite: MSW standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 227 - Found of Social Work Research

An introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods of applied social research including program evaluation and the evaluation of practice and application to social work is taught. Prerequisite: MSW standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 228 - Aging:A Strength&Hum Right Per

An examination of aging for social work policy and practice from the perspectives of strengths, social justice, human rights and critical social constructionism.

Credits: 3

SWSS 229 - D2:Soc Work&Disability Rights

A multi-cultural, age, gender, economic and international exploration of having a disability in terms of language, labeling, rights, social location, legislation, services and personal narratives.

Credits: 3

SWSS 280 - Perspectives on Social Work

Taking a social constructionist stance, students explore guiding concepts of the MSW curriculum and their application to social work practice, policy, human behavior and research. Pre/co-requisite: MSW standing.

Credits: 4

SWSS 290 - Foundation Yr Field Practicum

Supervised field-based learning of 15-20 hours per week. Students are placed in human service agencies and organizations and learn the purposeful application of generalist social work theory, ethics, and skills. Prerequisite: Permission of Coordinator of Field Education.

Credits: 3 to 4

SWSS 296 - Social Work in Global Context

Study of social work issues in different parts of the world. Located at the University of Lapland in Finland. Prerequisites: Background in human services or social work major or MSW standing and permission of instructor.

Credits: 3

SWSS 301 - Social Work in Health

Based on examinations of current trends with clients of multiple ages, needs, and cultural perspectives, this course examines social work roles in delivering health services. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation coursework, MSW advanced standing, or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 302 - Social Work in Mental Health

Advanced knowledge and skills in working with children with severe emotional disturbances and adults with persistent mental illness. Community-based services are emphasized. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation coursework, MSW advanced standing, or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 310 - Soc Work W/ Children & Fam I

Focus is on families whose major task is child rearing and child caring. Covers advanced knowledge, concepts, and methods of contemporary child/family services within a family-centered approach. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation course work, MSW advanced standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 311 - Soc Work W/Children & Fam II

Focus is on families with adolescents, families with no children and families with dependent adults. Advanced analysis of families from an adult member perspective and from a critical view of family ideology and myth. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation coursework, MSW advanced standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 314 - Transformative Social Work I

Advanced practice in transformative social work will focus on developing relational, profound, and generative meanings for change across populations, fields of practice and social issues. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Year

Credits: 3

SWSS 315 - Transformative Social Work II

Advanced practice in Transformative Social Work II will focus on practical applications across populations at risk, field of practice and social issues. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Year

Credits: 3

SWSS 316 - Integrative Appr Transform SW

In this course students will synthesize their exploration of their area of focus in transformative social work through scholarly reading, research and classroom presentations. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundatio Year

Credits: 3

SWSS 320 - Adv Soc Welf Policy Anyl&Prac

In depth analysis of social welfare policy with application to children and families or health and mental health is required. There is an emphasis on the skills of the policy practitioner. Prerequisite: Completion of SWSS 220 and SWSS 221, MSW advanced standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 327 - Adv Social Work Research

An analysis of social work research from methodological and theoretical perspectives is emphasized. The application of research to the student's concentration area is required. Prerequisites: Completion of SWSS 227, a basic statistics course, and MSW advanced standing or permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 330 - Assessment in Social Work

An advanced MSW concentration elective that analyzes competing and complementary assessment strategies and their implications in social work in health/mental health and with children and families. Prerequisite: Completion of MSW foundation course work or instructor permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 331 - Feminist Social Work Practice

An advanced MSW concentration elective that analyzes practice conceptions and dilemmas of feminist social work in a global context and emphasizes professional activism and leadership. Prerequisite: Completion of MSW foundation course work or instructor permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 332 - SW w/Battered Women&Children

An advanced MSW concentration elective that investigates theoretical and practical issues of social work practice with battered women and their children and develops related recommendations. Prerequisite: Completion of MSW foundation course work or instructor permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 333 - Social Work with Groups

An advanced MSW concentration elective that integrates professional history, conceptual overviews and direct experience with methods for group work distinctive to social work practice. Prerequisite: Completion of MSW foundation course work or instructor permission.

Credits: 3

SWSS 380 - Prof Issues in Social Work

Designed to cover selected social work issues in depth. Major emphasis on intensive and critical analysis of the literature and practice in a given area. Prerequisite: Permission.

Credits: 2 to 4

SWSS 390 - Concentration Yr Field Pract

Supervised field-based learning of 15-20 hours per week. Students are placed in human service agencies and organizations and apply advanced social work practice related to an area of concentration. Prerequisite: Completion of all Foundation Year Graduate Level Coursework and permission of Field Education Coordinator.

Credits: 3 to 4

SWSS 397 - Independent Study

Individual work on Social Work issue(s) selected by the student in consultation with a faculty member. Prerequisite: Instructor permission required.

Credits: 1 to 6

SWSS 398 - Final Project

A written identification and analysis of a social work issue related to the student's concentration is prepared and presented. Prerequisite: Successful completion of foundation coursework and permission. Variable three credits. Total of three credits required. Fulfills Graduate College comprehensive examination requirement.

Credits: 1 to 3