256 Social Work Mission We, the members of the Social Work Department of Clarke University, founded in the Spirit of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, promote intellectual growth through an academically rigorous education grounded in the liberal arts. We ensure readiness as competent, empathic, ethical, value based generalist practitioners through professional mentoring relationships. We impart the values of service, social justice, and social responsibility through the provision of developmentally meaningful activities within the local and global community. Goals 1. Prepare competent, ethical, empathic, value-based generalist social workers, grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation. 2. Engage students in a process of connecting Social Work Theory to generalist practice by engaging in meaningful community activities appropriate to their level of education. Outcomes The Outcomes for social work students are based on the 10 core competencies provided by the Council on Social Work Education. 1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly. 2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice. 3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate (writing and speaking) professional judgments. 4. Engage diversity and difference in practice. 5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice. 6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. 7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. 8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services. 9. Respond to contexts that shape practice. 10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
257 Major Requirements For a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Social Work, an overall 2.33 (C+) cumulative GPA is required in major courses. Course requirements for the major usually require six semesters for completion. The social work program handbook, which further specifies program requirements, is given to students applying for formal acceptance into the program. Students complete 36 semester hours, including: Major courses: SW 101 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work SW 225 Issues in Social Work Practice SW 231 Human Behavior in the Social Environment SW 360 Practice I: Social Work with Individuals SW 375 Practice II: Social Work with Groups and Families SW 381 Advanced Issues in Social Work Practice SW 385 Practice III: Community Organization SW 400 Social Work Research SW 481 Social Policy: Form and Analysis SW 497 and SW 498 Social Work Field Capstone OR SW 499 Social Work Field Capstone Required supporting courses: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology BIOL 102 Biology of the Human Body or BIOL 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I PSYC 111 Introductory Psychology SOC 202 Race and Ethnicity MATH 220 Statistics PSYCH 221 Abnormal Psychology (added as a supporting course) Application to Major To apply for a major in social work, the student completes SW 101 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work, submits formal application, letters of recommendation and completes a departmental interview. Students complete the application process while enrolled in SW 231 Human Behavior in the Social Environment.
258 Capstone Requirement Field Practicum As the Capstone of their education, senior social work students complete 420 clock hours of actual social work practice in a social service agency. Students have a choice in completing their field instruction hours. A student can complete field instruction part-time over two semesters, registering the first semester for SW 497 Field Instruction (4.5 hours) and the second SW 498 Field Instruction (4.5 hours). A student may also choose to complete a block placement of 9 credit hours during one semester of SW 499 Field Instruction. The following are some of the agencies providing field instruction experience for social work students: Department of Human Services Department of Correctional Service Juvenile Court Services Hillcrest Family Services Mercy Medical Center Eastern Iowa Housing Authority Big Brother/Big Sister Program Substance Abuse Services Center Lutheran Services of Iowa Maria House-Shelter for Women and Children Stonehill Care Center Manor Care Course Descriptions SW 101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL Work The role of social welfare in contemporary society and its historical development, with emphasis on political, economic and social influences. Special emphasis on the role of values in the development of welfare. Overview of the social work profession in a wide range of human service delivery systems. An examination of society s current response to human need. SW 231 HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT A critical evaluation of the theories of human behavior within the context of biological, psychological, socio-cultural processes that determine development and behavior throughout the life cycle. Special attention to alternative theories that complement the purpose and values of social work practice. Prerequisites: SW 101
259 SW 225 ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE An analysis of selected areas of current interest in social work. The specific subject matter may vary from year to year, reflecting the changes in the field of Social Work and interest of the students. Some examples of areas of social work include: Child Welfare, Death and Dying, Violence in Society, Social Work in Health, and Social Work with the Older Adult. Prerequisites: SW 101 SW 360 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I: SOCIAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS Introduction to the professional practice of social work with an emphasis on the values, purposes and basic assumptions of the profession. Attention will be given to the development of analytical and practice skills needed for generalist practice. Generalist practice skills are developed, including strength-based assessments, cross-cultural competencies and empowerment strategies. Development of written and oral communication skills through the use of interviewing, role plays, videotaping and case studies. Prerequisites: SW 231. SW 375 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II: SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS AND FAMILIES Second course in a sequence of three generalist practice courses. The course addresses practice with families and small groups. The focus is on the group work that entails the deliberate use of intervention strategies and group processes to accomplish individual, group and community goals using the value base and ethical practice principles of the social work profession. Prerequisites: SW 360. SW 381 ADVANCED ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK practice An in-depth analysis of selected areas of current interest in social work. The specific subject matter may vary from year to year, reflecting the changes in the field of Social Work, interest of students, and expertise of the faculty. Some examples of advanced issues include: Advanced Research, Environment and Social Work, Guardianship and the Elderly, Mental Health Policy, Practice with the Older Adult. Prerequisites: SW 360 SW 385 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE III: COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION Exploration of the aspect of generalist practice involving proactive responding to large groups, communities and organizations. Macro skills of working within an agency, organizational leadership, supervision, grant writing, fundraising and community organizing are emphasized. Other skills to facilitate meetings, networking, time management and handling conflict are addressed. Prerequisite: SW 360. SW 397 INDEPENDENT STUDY/INDEPENDENT PROJECTS CV Proposal and credits to be arranged with the social work department chair. This course is offered each semester. SW 400 SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH Students are introduced to the basic steps of the traditional scientific research process. A group research project is carried out following the approval of the Institutional Review Board. The initial results are analyzed and presented to the class. Students are also exposed to alternative research methods, such as program evaluation and direct practice evaluation. Pre-requisite: SOC 101, Math 220, SW 231.
260 SW 481 SOCIAL POLICY: FORM AND ANALYSIS Introduction to the basic issues relative to social policy development as a process policy analysis; role of the social worker in policy-making; special emphasis on current policy issues relevant to social work. Prerequisites SW 360 SW 497 SOCIAL WORK FIELD CAPSTONE 4.5 hours Individually planned and supervised experiences in public and voluntary social-service agencies that will enable students to integrate social work knowledge with practical experience. The student spends approximately 15 hours per week or 210 clock hours during one semester in placement. Some placements will require students to provide their own transportation. A weekly two-hour seminar is required of all students in field instruction. Application for field instruction must be made in the semester preceding the semester in which the course is to be taken. Prerequisite: SW 385. Majors only. SW 498 SOCIAL WORK FIELD CAPSTONE 4.5 hours Individually planned and supervised experiences in public or voluntary socialservice agency that will enable students to integrate social work knowledge with practical experience. The student spends approximately 15 hours per week or 210 clock hours during one semester in placement. Some placements will require students to provide their own transportation. A weekly two-hour seminar is required of all students in field instruction. Application for field instruction must be made in the semester preceding the semester in which the course is to be taken. Prerequisite: SW 385. Majors only. SW 499 SOCIAL WORK FIELD CAPSTONE 9 hours Individually planned and supervised experience in a public or voluntary social service agency that will enable students to integrate social work knowledge with practice experience. The student spends approximately 32 hours per week, or 420 clock hours during one semester in an agency placement. Some placements will require students to provide their own transportation. A weekly two-hour seminar is required of all students in field instruction. Application for field instruction must be made in the semester preceding the semester in which the course is to be taken. Prerequisite: SW 385. Majors only.