1.- General Information
2.- Social Work (SOWK) Courses

2.- Social Work (SOWK) Courses

3210 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (3-0)

Introduction to the human service delivery system in the United States, with an emphasis on the social work profession: its mission, philosophy, ethics, values, diverse fields, and ethnocultural perspectives. Observations of social service agencies and guest speakers provide a career orientation to the social work profession. Volunteer experience required.

Examination of the historical evolution of Social Welfare and the social work profession, with focus on the social policies which comprise the foundation of the welfare state in the United States. Present patterns of social welfare services will also be examined. Emphasis is on the historical evolution of contemporary social problems in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Oppression, discrimination, justice/immigration issues and policies, and their impact on diverse populations at risk will be explored. Required for pre-social work majors. Prerequisites: SOWK 3210, SOWK 3231, SOWK 3270, and SOWK 3341. It is recommended that SOWK 3231 and SOWK 3341 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3220.

Designed to introduce beginning social work students to some mainstream theoretical explanations by which to view individuals, groups, and families. Students will be given an opportunity to compare traditional mainstream models with newer alternative paradigms that focus on human growth and development from a strengths perspective. Special emphasis is placed on issues of cultural, racial, ethnic diversity, racism, sexism, ageism, and disabling mental or physical conditions. Prerequisites: SOWK 3210, SOWK 3220, SOWK 3270, and SOWK 3341. It is recommended that SOWK 3220 and SOWK 3341 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3231.

Introduction to the application of computers and information systems to social services, social work practice, and evaluation. Provides "hands-on" experience and application of software. Prerequisite: SOWK 3210 and department approval required. SOWK 3210 may be taken concurrently with SOWK 3270

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3320 Social Welfare Policy and Services II (3-0)

An analysis of current major issues and problems in the formulation of social welfare policies on the local, state, and federal levels in the U.S. Social Security, health, education, public welfare and income maintenance, immigration, and international agreements will be highlighted. The impact of various policies upon Hispanics and other at risk populations in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Application of strategies of change will be emphasized. Prerequisites: SOWK 3270, SOWK 3330, SOWK 3341, SOWK 3355, POLS 3210 ,POLS 3211 , and three hours of Economics. It is recommended that SOWK 3330 and SOWK 3355 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3320.

Emphasis is placed on special needs of the Spanish-speaking population in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. This course will focus on the following areas: language and culture as barriers or facilitators to service delivery; cultural competence needed in the delivery of services; international considerations for service delivery; cultural pluralism considerations for service delivery; community organization with groups in Spanish-speaking communities.

An understanding and appreciation of a scientific, analytic approach to building knowledge for practice and for evaluating service delivery in all areas of intervention including student's own practice. Ethical standards, critical thinking, and writing skills will be emphasized. Various methods for analyzing, evaluating, and utilizing research findings will be presented. Theoretical constructs for conducting culturally sensitive, quantitative/ qualitative research in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region will be examined. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: SOWK 3220, SOWK 3231, SOWK 3320, SOWK 3341, SOWK 3355, and a statistics course. It is recommended that SOWK 3320 and SOWK 3355 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3330.

Overview of practice and policy issues, problems, and opportunities in the provision of child welfare services in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Emphasis will be given to: collaborative international efforts, culturally sensitive intervention approaches, case management, family preservation, and other intervention strategies. Prerequisite: SOWK 3220.

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3341 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3-0)

Designed to introduce beginning social work students to various theoretical models by which to view how groups, communities, and organizations interface and interact with the social environment. Students will also examine various theoretical models of poverty, particularly as these influence social welfare policies and/or affect the delivery of social services to impoverished populations. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: SOWK 3210, SOWK 3220, SOWK 3231, and SOWK 3270. It is recommended that SOWK 3220 and SOWK 3231 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3341.

An examination of the needs and concerns of the aging person in our society from a social/cultural/physiological/ emotional perspective and of methods used to address those needs and concerns. Emphasis will be on advocacy, case management, networking, and direct care methods, and their application to Hispanics and other diverse populations in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region.

An examination of the cross-cultural implications of the process of addiction in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Focus is on the comparative patterns of addictions by gender, age, family, and ethnocultural culturally competent intervention modalities will be explored.

Survey of selected diagnostic classification systems, including the DSM-IV, curanderismo/folk-healing practices, and alternative schema based on themes of conflict. Assessment and diagnosis of client and community situations, including cultural understandings of mental and emotional disorders.

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3355 Generalist Social Work Practice I (3-0)

This is the first of three generalist practice courses designed to provide-entry level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with individuals. Self-awareness, problem solving, interviewing, professional relationships, intervention planning and skills, and ethics are included. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region is emphasized. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Pre-internship volunteer experience required. Prerequisites: SOWK 3320, SOWK 3330, and SOWK 3341. It is recommended that SOWK 3320 and SOWK 3330 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3355.

This is the second of three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry-level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with groups and families. This course continues to build on the problem-solving model, intervention methods, and planning introduced in Social Work 3355. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region is emphasized. Sixty hours of volunteer service are required. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: SOWK SOWK 3320, SOWK 3341, and SOWK 3355. It is recommended that SOWK 2481 and SOWK 4480 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3358.

A general survey of the history, current theories and review of methods and techniques used in community organizations in relation to the delivery of human services. Emphasis on urban/rural areas.

Emphasis is placed on theories, concepts, and techniques of social group work in a wide range of social work settings. This course also covers content on the importance of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, women, sexual orientation, and disabilities in group processes. Prerequisites: Junior level standing and department approval.

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3366 Comparative Social Policy and Services: U.S./Mexico (3-0)

A critical analysis of social policies and services in the United States and Mexico from a comparative perspective including social security, health, mental health, and child welfare. Emphasis is on the areas of possible collaboration between public agencies in the U.S. and Mexico. Field visits to agencies in Juárez will be made to familiarize students with policies and programs. Prerequisites: Department approval, SOWK 3220, and SOWK 3320.

Professional concerns and issues of social work will be selected by the instructor dependent on student needs.

Supervised individual reading and research leading to development of a major paper or report. Prerequisites: 9 hours of advanced course work in Social Work and department approval.

Policy and practice issues/problems in "Colonias" and rural areas along the border. A bi-national border service area will be examined, with an emphasis on social services, health care, education, housing, and environmental needs. Generalist practice skills and strategies for community development and change in "Colonias" and rural settings will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Department approval.

A capstone seminar that enables students to integrate the theory, knowledge, values, skills, ethics, and ethnocultural competence of generalist social work practice. Prerequisites: SOWK 3320, SOWK 3330, SOWK 3355, SOWK 3358. Co-requisite: SOWK 4480. It is recommended that SOWK 3358 be taken concurrently with SOWK 2481.

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2482 Advanced Generalist Field Seminar (2-0)

A capstone seminar that enables students to integrate the theory, knowledge, values, skills, ethics, and ethnocultural competence of generalist social work practice. Emphasis will include an evaluation of one's own practice. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: SOWK 3270, SOWK 3470, SOWK 2481, and SOWK 4480. Co-requisite: SOWK 4490. It is recommended that SOWK 3470 be taken concurrently with SOWK 2482.

This is the third of three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry-level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with organizations and communities. This course continues to build on the problem-solving model, intervention methods, and planning introduced in SOWK 3355 and SOWK 3358 with an emphasis on community development skills and strategies of change. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region is emphasized. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: SOWK 3358, SOWK 4480, SOWK 4490, SOWK 2481, and SOWK 2482. It is recommended that SOWK 4490 AND SOWK 2482 be taken concurrently with SOWK 3470.

First of two field courses in a supervised, laboratory learning experience in a selected social welfare agency consisting of 240 hours. A weekly seminar (SOWK 2481) accompanies this course which enables the student to integrate and apply classroom learning (theory and practice) in a field setting. An ethnocultural practice perspective is emphasized. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: Formal admission to field placement, SOWK 3330, SOWK 3355, and SOWK 3358. Co-requisite: SOWK 2481. It is recommended that SOWK 3358 be taken concurrently. Course fee required.

The second course of the field learning experience in a selected social welfare agency requires a minimum of 240 minimum. It is accompanied by a seminar (SOWK 2482) to optimally integrate and apply generalist social work practice. An ethnocultural practice perspective is emphasized. FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJORS ONLY. Prerequisites: SOWK 3355, SOWK 3358, SOWK 4480, and SOWK 2481. Co-requisite: SOWK 2482. It is recommended that SOWK 3470 be taken concurrently with SOWK 4490.

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