Social Work Major

This course introduces psychology as a science and emphasizes the interaction of social, cognitive, emotional, motivational, and organizational approaches to understanding human behavior. All students participate in a service learning experience in which they apply course concepts in real world situations and organizations. Discussions within this class include Christian perspectives on current issues in human behavior, cognition, and motivation. (A section of PSY101 H Honors: General Psychology is offered fall semester in odd calendar years for members of the Honors Program.)

This lifespan development course examines human growth and development from prenatal life through old age. Advances in research illumine the intellectual, emotional, social, moral, and religious developmental processes in persons across cultures and socio-economic strata. Group presentations as well as written reflections and reading reports assess student mastery of this course.

A basic course introducing the student to the concepts, theories, and methods employed in an objective scientific analysis of society, culture, social institutions and organizations, social control, deviancy, and social factors involved in personality development.

A study of basic concepts and operations in descriptive and inferential statistics. The areas of study will include graphic representations, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability theory, and various significant tests of relationship, including measures of association, correlation, linear relationship, and means tests. This course includes an introduction to multivariate statistics and non-parametrics. Cross listed with PSY 202. Meets Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

A study of problem formulation, data collection, data analysis including descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, and research report writing. Includes two or more applied projects, usually in collaboration with the entire class or with a group, and the development of a publication ready research paper.

The development of major schools of social thought, major social theorists and their distinctive contributions to the understanding of society, culture, and modernity, are considered and analyzed. Requires three or four major papers which focus, respectively, on social philosophers of antiquity, the major founders of sociological theory, modern social theories and theoretical trends, and everyday applications of social theory. Also covers how to write a "literature review" for a research paper. Meets the general education writing intensive requirement.

The nature, functions, and values of social work are explored. Social work is presented as a problem solving process with wide applicability in the arena of human services; thus, social work is studied within a wide spectrum of situations and institutions.

This course provides students with a seminar experience (typically a one-day retreat), and a small number of class sessions with individual appointments with the instructor, for the purpose of helping the student create the foundation for a successful professional future. Requirements include the completion of an updated resume, two professional interviews, attendance at a professional conference, service hours, and a student success plan, all included in a well-organized portfolio. Ideally this course should be taken during the fall semester of the sophomore or junior year. Cross listed with SOC 271, CRJ 271.

A course designed to develop the student's awareness of alternative methods of treatment available and to help the student develop the skills and techniques that are essential to professional competency in the "helping" processes.

The study of a variety of social organizations and of the policies enacted or pursued related to mission, structure, and social-political environments. Governmental and non-governmental agencies in the areas of social work and criminal justice will be included. Using organizational theory and real-life models, students will engage in institutional problem solving exercises. Cross listed with CRJ 361 and SOC 361.

This course begins with requirements similar to those in SWK 271, but assignments are at a higher stage of development. Additionally, each student is required to produce one of two professional products. One option would be to write an academic paper which will be submitted to a journal or professional organization, and the other would be to complete an applied leadership project which demonstrates significant and innovative leadership with a campus or community organization, including the implementation and presentation of a successful applied idea, innovation, or intervention, tailor-made to that organization. Typically taken during the fall semester of the junior or senior year. Cross listed with SOC 371 and CRJ 371.

Each student must successfully complete one or more practicum experiences, totaling 8-12 hours of academic credit, where 40 clock hours on location equals on hour of credit. Ideally, each practicum should be based at a social work agency or similar organization such as a school, church, health clinic, etc, which specializes in human services. Ideally, an on-site supervisor with an MSW degree or LCSW license will supervise the student's practicum.

This course provides students with a capstone experience in the department, and links all academic and extra-curricular experiences at Greenville College with the students' occupational and service-oriented future. Requirements include updating the academic portfolio, including academic resumes, and completion of an oral exam and research-based senior project. The senior project includes a paper and a publicized oral report. Must be completed during the spring semester of the senior year. Cross listed with SOC 471 and CRJ 471.