Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• SSW HB 750: Organizational Behavior and Culture
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWHB720) - This course familiarizes the student with basic concepts related to organizational behavior and culture in human service organizations. The primary focus is on how human service organizations function, with a particular focus on the influence of internal and external factors, and methods for achieving change within these settings.
• SSW HB 751: Human Neuropsychology
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWHB720) - Students develop foundational knowledge in the structure and function of the nervous system with special emphasis on processes underlying common neuropsychological disorders. The course is designed to make basic neuroscience accessible and interesting for students with a minimum of basic science background.We cover basic neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and nervous system development in the context of neuropsychological disorders to provide a clinical context for material that might otherwise seem overwhelming.
• SSW HB 752: Exploring Ethnicity, Race, and Culture through Narratives: Clinical and Human Behavior Perspectives
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWHB720 & SSWCP759) - A major purpose of this course is to deepen students' knowledge of the role of culture in lifespan development and human behavior. Building on knowledge and skills from the foundation courses Human Behavior, HB 720 and Clinical Practice, CP 759, that apply ecological and systems frameworks to themes of identity formation, risks and resiliency, loss and death. In addition, through narrative stories themes such as dual cultural identity, oppression and diaspora are explored, and students will leave the class able to (1) identify various expressions of cultural identity, (2) articulate the strengths of cultural affiliation, (3) distinguish between behaviors that represent psychopathology and behaviors that are expressions of cultural values and/or traditions, and (4) describe the distinct experiences of individuals living in the context of diaspora; (5) determine the role of systemic oppression on individuals whose experiences are not part of dominant cultural perspectives in the United States, and (6) recognize the value of cross-cultural theoretical and research literature that describes how to approach work with groups discussed in the narratives presented in the course.
• SSW HB 756: The Aging Experience: Theoretical Perspectives and Contemporary Issues
  We are living longer. Population aging is one of the most important determinants of global health. Yet, there is tremendous variation in how we experience aging in the U.S. and across the globe. To examine the contemporary contours of aging and health, this course draws on theories and perspectives from sociology, demography, social work, and public health and probes: How do we think about aging? What does it mean when we talk about promoting "healthy aging?" and How is the aging experience shaped by the current social, economic, and political climate? Specific consideration is given to heterogeneity of the U.S. population in the areas of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, social class, sexual orientation and identity, religion, and disability. We will look at the factors contributing to the different opportunities and challenges experienced by some persons and populations as they age.
• SSW HB 757: Public Health Social Work: Core Concepts and Practical Applications
  Graduate Prerequisites: SSW HB 720 - Public health social work (PHSW), one of the oldest continuous forms of social work, is both a sub-discipline and a set of approaches for addressing major health issues through the integrated use of public health and social work concepts, skills and competencies. This course provides a foundation for understanding, embracing, and communicating about public health social work as a practice discipline and a unifying framework for addressing major health issues in society. Students will engage in critical thinking, analysis, and application of PHSW to major issues such as social determinants, prevention, health equity, advocacy, and health systems transformation. The course is divided into four content sections: 1) Overview and Orientation to Social Work, Public Health, and Public Health Social Work; 2) Seven Core Concepts of Public Health Social Work; 3) Practical Applications of Public Health Social Work; and 4) PHSW Synthesis and Integration. This course is appropriate for all MSW students, and is strongly recommended for MSW/MPH students at any stage of their program.
• SSW HB 790: Reproductive Justice and Social Work
  Graduate Prerequisites: HB720 - The goal of this course is to deepen students' understanding of the meanings and distinctions between reproductive health, rights, and justice and how social workers can support the promotion of healthy sexual and reproductive lives of all . Contextualizing present-day debates within U.S. history and drawing from critical theoretical frameworks such as intersectionality, disability justice, radical reproductive justice, Black Feminisms, and racial capitalism, students will learn how systems of oppression and bodily autonomy are intertwined to impact the language, practices, and policies that control racialized and gendered bodies' ability to have or not have children. Designed for both clinical and macro social work practitioners, the course provides an introduction to understanding how the control and subjugation of bodies is routinely used to oppress people and maintain oppressive social structures. Students will learn how present-day attacks on bodily autonomy are rooted in the political economy and why as social work practitioners it is important to consider bodily autonomy in our pursuit of social justice. Students will also cultivate practical skills that can be used to engage individuals, groups, and communities in reproductive justice efforts and consider; how policymakers, organizations, and others concerned with bodily autonomy can contribute to working towards a liberatory future.
• SSW HB 805: Systems of Oppression, Trauma & Justice
  The field of trauma has exploded in the last several decades with advances in neurobiology, increased attention to evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions in trauma, and widespread recognition of violence across multiple contexts. Because trauma is a rapidly evolving field, social workers need integrated and cutting edge training to work with and on behalf of diverse populations who are affected by wide ranging traumatic experiences, including gender and race-based violence, interpersonal and/or community violence, natural disasters, combat trauma, and terrorism. Students will learn the foundations of trauma informed and multi-level practice and policy, and apply this knowledge to prevention, intervention, and policy-making to mitigate the impact of violence and trauma on individuals, families, communities and societies. This course is open to macro and clinical practice
• SSW IS 600: Professional Development Seminar
  This seminar is required of all students in the Off-Campus, Online and Hybrid programs. The seminar is comprised of three parts, each part focusing on the students' developmental phase while enrolled in MSW program. There are a total of 12 sessions and students enroll in the seminar each semester. The seminar includes a self-paced component and live classroom sessions. The focus of the seminar includes professional development; an overview of the social work profession, its values and ethics; an orientation to, and integration with, field education; an overview of social work professional licensing and career preparation.
• SSW KC 902: Proseminar in Social Work
  The PhD program doctoral proseminar is a 14 week course designed for first year or early social work students. The purpose of the proseminar is to facilitate socialization to contemporary academic and research environments in the field and the practice of interdisciplinary social work research. A primary modality for the course will include faculty presentations and discussion with students related to current research and invited guest speakers from across the university. Students work collaboratively to develop mentoring plans and maps and initial specialization statements.
• SSW MP 759: Communities and Organizations: Analysis and Intervention
  Graduate Prerequisites: Required of all students. ; Graduate Corequisites: Required to be in a field placement with this course. - MP759 is a foundation course that provides an orientation to macro social work as a core method for all practitioners. Students learn a common framework and practical skills for planning and implementing change in communities and organizations. The course emphasizes principles including social and economic justice and empowerment through an examination of racism and other intersecting oppressions, constituent-led change efforts, and a strengths-based orientation to practice in urban settings and other social environments. Designed for clinical and macro practitioners, the course provides skills in community and organizational assessment, including power analysis and use of demographic and other data; development of strategic action plans; and use of partnerships with non-traditional settings, coalitions, and other constituencies to effect social and organizational change. Teaching and learning methods include use of case studies, videos, field-based research, and in-class exercises and discussion.
• SSW MP 773: HUM SERV MGT
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWMP759) Or permission of department chair. - This course description is currently under construction.
• SSW MP 775: Strategic Management
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWMP759 & SSWMP773) Or permission of department chair. - Focuses on strategies for developing, strengthening, and advancing the effectiveness of non-profit organizations. Significant issues and emerging themes in agency administration are examined with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Students will acquire skills in strategic planning, strategic collaboration, authentic stakeholder engagement, and grant writing through the preparation of a strategic plan and a proposal for grant funding, along with other learning methods.
• SSW MP 780: Advocacy for Equity and Justice
  This course combines theory and skill development to enable social workers to shape legislation, regulations, budgets, and institutional policies and practices as advocates committed to respectful engagement with constituents and community partners. The course distinguishes advocacy from other social change strategies, relates advocacy to policy practice, and builds skills in issue framing, testimony, media relations, partnerships, and different forms of advocacy writing to advance strategic objectives. MP780 draws upon the experiences of class members and the instructor and incorporates case studies, guest speakers, and interactive exercises and assignments. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to practice effectively as advocates committed to advancing equity and justice in multiple settings.
• SSW MP 781: Community Organizing
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWMP759) Or permission of department chair. Required of all Macro Social Work P ractice students. ; Graduate Corequisites: Required to be in a field placement with this course. - MP781 is designed to strengthen the ability of class members to foster progressive social change. It provides knowledge and skills in different models of community organizing, with a focus on collective action to promote social and economic justice, particularly in urban settings. Class members will develop skills in outreach and recruitment, leadership development, issue selection, strategy and tactics, campaign planning, coalitions, and building grassroots community organizations. MP781 emphasizes the responsibility of social workers to facilitate democratic participation and community empowerment based on respect, humility, and commitment to addressing racism and intersecting forms of oppression. In addition to readings and lectures, the course utilizes guest speakers, small group exercises, role play, video, poetry, music, and direct engagement with community-based organizations. Assignments emphasize skill building and integration of organizing theory and practice. The course relates community organizing to policy, planning, and management to underscore its relevance for all macro practitioners.
• SSW MP 783: Planning and Program Development
  Graduate Prerequisites: (SSWMP759) Or permission of department chair. Required of all Macro Social Work P ractice students. ; Graduate Corequisites: Required to be in a field placement with this course. - This course introduces students to planning theory, planned social change, organizational development, program development, proposal writing, and leadership. Specific emphasis is placed on basic concepts, principles, skills, and knowledge necessary to effect change at the organizational and community levels.
• SSW MP 786: Health Equity
  Graduate Prerequisites: MP 759 - Data indicate, people who identify as white in the United States experience better health outcomes across a myriad of chronic conditions. Achieving health equity requires closing the racial health gap. Macro social workers are poised to fight for health equity -- by dismantling white supremacy culture and colonial ideology that shape the systems and structures, social determinants, which produce ill health. During the course of the semester, students will explore and propose organization and community change strategies to promote health equity.
• SSW MP 787: Leadership for Equity and Inclusion
  Graduate Prerequisites: MP 759- Comm & Orgs - Prepares students to assume leadership roles with a focus on promoting equity and inclusion in order to simultaneously advance social justice and the effectiveness of macro-level systems. Theories and styles of leadership are examined and critiqued as students work to identify and further develop their leadership styles. Students will acquire skills for effective leadership aimed toward dismantling white supremacist culture, heterocentrism, ablism, sexism, and other forms of oppression, and building an organizational culture that embraces and utilizes a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and skills.
• SSW MP 789: Global Social Work Practice: A Rights Based Perspective
  Graduate Prerequisites: MP 759 - This course prepares clinical and macro students for effective practice in a global context. The course covers three broad areas: the first part lays out the framework for the rights-based perspectives; the second encompasses rights-based programing; the third looks at building sustainable systems. The focus of the course will be on applying social work theories and skills to provide a context for social work practice in a global environment. Students will be exposed to "rights-based approaches" to social work practice mainly in countries of the global south. Areas of focus include working with working with marginalized populations such as children in a variety of settings, gender issues, migration as well as working with various NGOs, governmental and United Nations systems. Students will build on basic policy and skills courses to apply fundamental social work principals and practice to global context areas. Students will apply critical thinking with respect to understanding global context areas and their interrelatedness with domestic policies and actions. Special emphasis will be placed on working with diverse client populations including the roles that gender, age, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, economic, political and sexual orientation play in influencing life chances for marginalized individuals/groups. Students will engage in class discussion based on the readings, media extracts, experiences of professionals in the field of international social welfare, and current global events impacting social service provision in a global context.
• SSW MP 794: Macro Field Seminar
  A required monthly seminar in support of field placements for non-MSW-supervised, second-year macro students. There are no readings or assignments.
• SSW SR 743: Introduction to Social Work Research I
  Graduate Prerequisites: Required of all students. Permission of SSW Registrar for non-SSW stud ents. - The goal of this introductory course is to develop the student's ability to use and engage in both quantitative and qualitative research in order to inform and evaluate their own social work practice. The course addresses key research concepts and procedures such as hypothesis formulation, measurement, sampling, research design, and data collection. The course also examines ethical issues in the conduct of social research, including informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality, culturally sensitive research methods, and the NASW Code of Ethics.