BSW Course Descriptions

SWO 1101 Social Justice and New Beginnings at Baylor
New student experience course designed to help students acclimate to college life with a specific focus on vocational calling and social justice as defined within the social work profession. 

SWO 2320 Human Diversity and Leadership
This course creates opportunities to increase understanding of diversity and difference, power and privilege, and oppression—as well as an understanding of one’s self. Students will look at diversities within religion, ability, age, sexual orientation in addition to race/ethnicity, class, and gender. This is an essential foundation for culturally competent leadership in any professional or volunteer setting.

SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work
An introduction to the profession of social work and the institution of social welfare. Emphasis is on common human needs and problems, and the development and functioning of social welfare as an institution of society. Course content includes history, knowledge base, values, and skills of professional social work as well as contexts for practice and career opportunities.

SWO 3351 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Human development across the life course with emphasis on the effects of the social and physical environment on maturation. Special attention given to gender issues, experiences of racial and ethnic minorities, and other special populations.

SWO 3352 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
Prerequisite(s): SWO 2320
The environmental contexts for human behavior with a special emphasis on groups, organizations and communities. Issues of human diversity, social and economic justice, and environments of populations at risk are emphasized.

SWO 3371 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice
Prerequisite(s): SWO 2321, credit or concurrent enrollment in 3351, and admission to social work program
The Generalist Model of social work practice, including theoretical frameworks, problem-solving methods, values and ethics, and practice with special populations.

SWO 4301 Social Work Research
Prerequisite(s): SWO 4305, credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 4322, and 4492.
The basic purpose, methods, and techniques of social research, evaluation of professional social work practice, and social program evaluation.

SWO 4305 Data Analysis for Social Work
Prerequisite(s): MTH 1301 or 1320 or 1321 or STA 1380.
Apply basic statistical tools to describe, analyze, and evaluate research issues in professional social work practice.

SWO 4322 Social Policy
Prerequisite(s): SWO 4491. Non-majors must have consent of instructor.
Historical and current patterns of provision of social welfare services, the effect of social policy on people gaining optimal health and well-being, and the effect of social policy on social work practice.

SWO 4323 Advanced Policy Frameworks: Poverty and Economic Inequality 
Prerequisite(s): SWO 4323. Non-majors must have consent of instructor.
This course explores social policy related to poverty and economic inequality. Utilizing social justice and anti-oppressive frameworks and building content from SWO 4322 the course emphasizes economic policies and financial concepts as related to individuals and families across the lifecycle, as well as communities, particularly those on the margins of society and experiencing poverty and near-poverty. 

SWO 4372 Social Work Practice II: Generalist Practice with Groups
Prerequisite(s): SWO 3351, minimum grade of B in 3371, credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 3352 and 4373.
Knowledge and skills appropriate to social work intervention with individuals, families, and small groups representing differing backgrounds.

SWO 4373 Social Work Practice III: Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
Prerequisite(s): SWO 3351, minimum grade of B in 3371, credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 3352 and 4372.
Knowledge and skills appropriate to work with organizations, neighborhoods, and communities to foster social and economic justice.

SWO 4491 Social Work Internship I
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of B in SWO 4372 and 4373; admission to field program and consent of Director of Field Education - Generalist Practice.
First semester of Field internship requiring 240 hours of social work practice with supervision by a professional social worker within a local setting and a weekly integrative seminar. Requires integration of liberal arts background and social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics within the structure of the agency, demonstrating beginning competence around each of the program's educational objectives and competencies.

SWO 4492 Social Work Internship II
Prerequisite(s): SWO 4401, minimum grade of B in SWO 4491, credit or concurrent enrollment in 4301, 4322 and 4293.
Second semester of Field internship requiring integration of liberal arts background and social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics through 240 hours of supervised practice in a community agency and a weekly integrative seminar. Students must demonstrate competence around each of the program's educational objectives and competencies.