Course Descriptions
Social Service (SSS)

Undergraduate Courses

To view the complete schedule of courses for
each semester, go to Cardinal Students.

SSS 101: Introduction to Social Work
3 Credits

An overview of the profession of social work within the institution of social welfare. Basic definitions, historical development, trends in social welfare and social work. May include guest lecturers. Twenty-four (24) hours of volunteer experience during the semester is required.

SSS 223: Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
3 Credits

Using a person in the environment perspective, explores normal and abnormal development and functioning across the life cycle by examining theories that lie at the biological, psychological, cognitive, interpersonal, and moral levels of human behavior. Prerequisite SSS 101. Concurrent with ENG 326-Special Section for Social Work Majors.

SSS 225: Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
3 Credits

Examines the development and operation of functional dysfunctional systems that lie at the group, organizational, community and societal levels of behavior. Focuses on how systems behave and impact the individual. Prerequisite SSS 101; Preferred SSS 223

SSS 302: Social Welfare Policy I
3 Credits

An introduction to the understanding and appraisal of social welfare policies and programs in the United States and the historical and contemporary forces--primarily political, social, and economic--that have shaped their development. The social work profession's value commitments, its role in the formulation of social policy, and its tradition of social action/social reform. Social justice for all needy Americans is a dominant theme of this survey course. Prerequisites: SSS 101, SSS 223, SSS 225.

SSS 303: Social Welfare Policy II
3 Credits

Problem-focused analysis of current welfare policies and programs and the sociopolitical values, technology, and process that influence their development. Emphasis on policy analysis and development in poverty, health, mental health, and social service delivery. Prerequisite SSS 302 or permission of instructor and advisor.

SSS 326: Diversity in a Multicultural Society
3 Credits

Examines social problems and the sociocultural conditions which influence the way people interact. Considers both developmental and situational stresses and problems, the "isms" and cultural diversity within a social justice context. Prerequisite: SSS 101 or permission of advisor.

SSS 340: Research Methods in Social Work
3 Credits

Teaches the basic elements of research design and research methodology. Students learn how to formulate problems and hypotheses, draw samples, use standardized instruments, develop questionnaires and scales for data collection, and understand how statistics aid in data analysis. At the end of the course, students should be able to formulate questions about social work issues in a researchable way and propose ways to explore those questions. Students are expected to be critical consumers of research presented by others.

SSS 352: Social Work Practice I
4 Credits

Introduction to generalist social work practice; its purpose, theory, values, methods. Focuses on the generic process for helping individuals, families, groups, and/or communities deal with problems or needs arising from their interactions with interpersonal and organizational environments. Required: Four-hour supervised field practicum per week . (Total of 48 hours).

SSS 453: Social Work Practice II
3 Credits

Use of generic social work processes and interviewing skills in working with individuals, families, and treatment groups. Emphasis on psychosocial assessment and the following intervention models: fiduciary responsibilities, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, counseling. Must be taken concurrently with field instruction. Prerequisite: SSS 352; Concurrent SSS 465.

SSS 454: Social Work Practice III
3 Credits

Emphasis on the sociopolitical context of social work change efforts utilizing both task groups and large social action groups to bring about social change on the neighborhood, community, state and national levels through organizing, planning and policy initiatives. Creative interventions with community/political systems are discussed. Prerequisite: SSS 453; Concurrent: SSS 466.

SSS 465: Undergraduate Concurrent Field Instruction I
4 Credits

A classroom, integrative seminar covering theory and practice issues in depth is held weekly throughout the senior year. Students spend two days each week in a social welfare agency in supervised field instruction and use their practicum experience to participate in this integrative seminar. Taken concurrently with SSS 453.

SSS 466: Undergraduate Concurrent Field Instruction II
4 Credits

A classroom, integrative seminar covering theory and practice issues in depth is held weekly throughout the senior year. Students spend two days each week in a social welfare agency in supervised field instruction and use their practicum experience to participate in this integrative seminar. Taken concurrently with SSS 454.

SSS 490: Coordinating Seminar
3 Credits

A seminar to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in the social work curriculum and the liberals arts program. It is used to guide the Seniors in the writing of their comprehensive paper which serves as their senior comprehensive assessment. The class and the senior comprehensive assessment paper are graded independently of each other.

SSS 497: Reading and Research in Social Work
1 Credits

A tutorial course in which content and format are suited to the needs of the individual student with approval by the department chair. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor and Adviser.

SSS 498: Reading and Research in Social Work
2 Credits

A tutorial course in which content and format are suited to the needs of the individual student with approval by the department chair. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor and Adviser.

SSS 499: Reading and Research in Social Work
3 Credits

A tutorial course in which content and format are suited to the needs of the individual student with approval by the department chair. Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor and Adviser.