Social Work (BSW)
Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.
500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.
Course Fees
Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.
BSW 101. Social Work Orientation1 Unit
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: This class is designed to help students gain an increased awareness of academic support services offered throughout the University of Louisville and the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science Advising and Student Services. It will allow BSW students to explore their academic and social self-awareness to create the best strategy for their career at the university. This orientation course is designed to help acclimate students to college life. The course will give the student information about how to plan which courses to take to stay on track with their BSW major, how to get involved on campus and future career paths of a social worker.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 201. Introduction to Social Work - SB, D13 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course introduces students to the profession of social work, its Code of Ethics, values base and commitment to social justice and working with vulnerable and oppressed groups. Students are exposed to the profession's history as well as current social issues and trends. The course provides an introduction to the roles of the generalist social work practitioner within a theoretical framework that includes systems theory, an ecological perspective, a problem-solving model, and the value of diversity. The course stresses self-awareness in determining suitability for a career in social work.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 202. Intimate and Family Relationships - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: The course introduces students to the scientific study and understanding of couple and family life. Examination of attitudes and values regarding intimate relationships is encouraged. Class activities and assignments enable students to integrate personal experiences with newly gained understanding and knowledge.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 203. Human Biology for Social Sciences3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: The course is designed to be a supporting course for bachelor degree students in social work. In each session,we consider fundamental physiological conditions and the structures related to each condition. While the course emphasizes normal functioning, each discussion will include examples of alterations caused by illness and exposure to exogenous substances (drugs, medications, and infections).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 204. Introduction to Social Statistics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): Completion of General Education Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Requirement.
Description: The purpose of this course is to introduce Bachelor of Social Work students to quantitative tools used to describe/interpret data used in social work practice, research, and policy formation. Students learn to plan and conduct analyses guided by understanding of social work.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 207. Historical and Contemporary Abolitionism and Anti-Racism - D1, SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course will cover the historical roots and continuing impact of systemic racism in the United States and the many anti-racism efforts historically and in contemporary society that are enacted to combat racism. Students will gain an understanding of anti-racism, including the process of de-centering Whiteness, as a philosophy and approach to social change. The role of anti-racists in the abolition of slavery, the civil rights movement, and current social movements will be covered. Current manifestations of anti-racism efforts will be surveyed. Students will also learn concrete strategies for engaging in anti-racism and de-centering Whiteness including re-education about the history of race and racism, strategic investments in Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities (also referred to as a Global Majority), and advocating for changes to social and institutional policies that liberate BIPOC.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 301. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSW Upper Division or Social Work minor.
Description: Focuses on society at large (social movements, social institutions and social structure), larger environments (physical environment, communities, and formal organizations) and small groups.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 302. Social Welfare Policy I3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSW Upper Division or Social Work minor.
Fee: An additional $75.00 is charged for this course.
Description: Policy I explores the concepts, history, and development of social welfare, social welfare institutions, and social policy within the United States. The course explores the historical context and evolution of social welfare policy, emphasizing the history and evolution of the social work profession. This includes how political and social ideologies influence policy development and how dominant values and contextual factors shape policy in many areas. The course focuses on social work as a profession and how social work issues, values, and ethical dilemmas are experienced in social policy. Attention is given to the social welfare policy issues of social and economic justice, diversity, populations at risk, and social work ethics and values.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 303. Generalist Practice I3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSW Upper Division.
Fee: An additional $78.00 is charged for this course.
Description: The first class in the sequence, Generalist Practice I (SW-303), orients students to the stages of the helping process and the generalist perspective. Generalist Practice 1 emphasizes systems theory, the ecological model, and the strengths based perspective as its theoretical framework. Students will explore the relationships between micro, mezzo, and macro level systems in order to interpret and intervene to enhance social functioning. Special attention is given in this course to working with ethnic minorities, women, gays and lesbians, aging populations, and disabled people to enhance students' cultural competence. The fundamentally powerful concept in this course is "The Helping Process in Social Work." This means that if students understand this concept deeply, they will be able to understand other course materials related to generalist social work practice.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 304. Generalist Practice II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 303.
Description: The second class of the four-course sequence, Generalist Practice II (BSW 304), addresses learning interpersonal helping skills such as active listening, problem solving, empathy, and non-verbal/body language among other skills.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 305. Intro Writing & Critical Thinking Skills for Social Workers3 Units
Description: The intent and purpose of this course is to offer Kent School social work students the opportunity to improve their critical thinking and writing skills within the context of their academic development as a professional social worker. The course is designed to instruct students about the application of critical thinking skills to writing and their thinking/reasoning as it relates to the numerous and complex skills necessary for ethical and competent practice in the social work profession. It will incorporate the use of evidence-based literature searches to assist students in learning how to better prepare academic papers and will also focus on improving overall college-level writing skills necessary for successful completion of the BSW and MSSW program.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 307. Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice Practice3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): Admission to BSW Upper Division or Social Work minor.
Description: This foundation course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills for social work practice with people subject to various forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, and ableism operating at the individual and community, and institutional levels of society. Diversity, strengths, and social justice practice are emphasized. Developing greater professional and personal awareness about the impacts of various forms of oppression and social justice responses are addressed.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 319. Human Behavior and the Social Environment II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 301.
Description: Focuses on families, dyads, and the individual person (biological person, psychological person, spiritual person and the lifespan development).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 322. Social Welfare Policy II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 302.
Description: Policy II is the second course in the Policy sequence. This course provides an analysis of various social welfare policies and the ways in which legislation is developed, enacted, and implemented in our society. Throughout the semester, students will learn how policies have emerged in response to social problems at the local, state, and national levels. Social welfare policy is investigated as a dimension of generalist social work practice. The course includes content related to human diversity, social and economic justice, and political advocacy as a means to achieving social and political change.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 332. Intro Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Issues and Social Welfare3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: The purpose of this introductory course is to introduce contemporary topics related to the social welfare of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals. Issues addressed are related to development, health disparities, family, research, history and ethics.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 333. Intro Social Work and Human Sexuality3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course provides knowledge about physical, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human sexuality.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 334. Social Justice Issues and Latinx Communities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course will survey a variety of historical and contemporary social justice issues necessary for understanding the culture and well-being of Latinx and Latin American individuals, families, and communities. The legacies of colonization, genocide, and slavery of Indigenous and African populations, will be explored. Particular attention will be paid to the impacts of class, race, and language in contemporary Latinx communities. Transmigration, immigration, refugee status and asylum seeking, and their legal and psychosocial implications, also will be covered. Social justice movements in response to systemic oppression, political unrest, and violence occurring in Latin American and in the United States also will be reviewed. Note: BSW Upper Division Elective
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 336. Intro Death and Grief3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course provides students with an overarching review of knowledge and skills to prepare bachelor's level social workers for practice in death and grief using ecological systems and strengths-based approaches. Course content relates to historical contexts, cultural responses to death and grief, introduction to major theories surrounding death and grief, and ethics.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 352. Child Abuse and Neglect (Child Maltreatment)3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to child abuse and neglect from a social work perspective.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 353. Intro Child Abuse Interventions3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): BSW 352.
Description: In this course, students will learn about various practice skills and treatment interventions related to social work with abused/neglected children and their families.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 359. Introduction to Family Therapy Practice3 Units
Description: This course emphasizes understanding assessment, case planning, and intervention in couple and family therapy. The students will be introduced to the major assessment and intervention ideas/skills associated with the major schools of marital family therapy. Skill development will encompass systemic assessment, consensus building, case planning and the tools necessary to conduct an initial interview.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 361. Intro Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course includes highly specialized topics in addiction treatment to prepare students to begin practice in Alcohol and Drug Counselor training. Content will round out and complete a basic course of study for alcohol and drug counselors that was not adequately addressed in substance abuse and motivational interviewing classes. Introductory level topics will 1) generally aid students in submitting the application for certification as alcohol and drug counselors, 2) provide students with required case management training for working in a licensed alcohol and other drug treatment facility, and 3) prepare students for working within multidisciplinary teams and gain familiarity with clinical supervision methods utilized in substance abuse treatment programs. 4) Students will become familiar with the use of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) a very common assessment tool widely used in substance abuse treatment settings.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 362. Introduction to Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: Examines current issues associated with substance abuse. Prevailing paradigms related to substance abuse are explored and pragmatic intervention strategies for dealing with those abusing substances are presented and applied.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 381. Intro Social Gerontology3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
Description: This course is designed to enable students to understand the complexity of the aging process from the perspective of the individual, the family and society.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 382. Intro Social Work Practice with Older Adults3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of assessment and clinical intervention with older adults.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 384. Intro Spirituality and Social Work3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This course is offered as an elective course and provides introductory/generalist level examination of the meaning of spirituality for social work practice.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 385. Intro Planning and Community Development3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: Using theories from the behavioral and social sciences, this course will provide students with introductory/generalist level theoretical, methodological, value and skill base in social planning within a context of community development, organization and advocacy.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 397. Intro Special Topics in Social Work3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: Selected topics in Social Work. Topics chosen will reflect the needs of the students and the background of the instructor. May be repeated under different subtitles.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 405. Generalist Practice III3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 303 and BSW 304.
Description: The third class of the practice sequence, Generalist Practice III (BSW 405), in the context of generalist practice, focuses on mezzo systems of families and small groups. Application of social work values, knowledge and methods with families and small groups is emphasized. Assessment, planning intervention strategies, resource utilization and evaluation are examined in work with these systems.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 406. Generalist Practice IV3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 405.
Description: The fourth class of the practice sequence, Generalist Practice IV (BSW 406) explores social work with larger systems. Emphasis is given to the fundamental and powerful concept that social change is dynamic and occurs when resources meet opportunity. Students engage in social work skill development and practice through the application of knowledge, skills and methods to the macro systems of professional practice, including neighborhoods, communities and organizations. Assessment, planning intervention strategies, resource utilization and evaluation are examined in work with these systems. As in other courses in the practice sequence, attention is given to promoting a critical understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 415. Intro Mental Health3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This is an introductory/generalist level course designed to familiarize the students with the body of knowledge and the service delivery system known as "mental health." This course will examine the factors of human experience that promote mental health or serve as a barrier to healthy functioning.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 426. Introduction to Social Work Research3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 204 or other approved statistics course.
Description: This course provides students with the generalist knowledge for scientific inquiry and the use of research to inform evidence-based practice. It covers all aspects of the research process from problem formulation to writing of the research report. Critical thinking skills are emphasized throughout. Students will also be introduced to qualitative and quantitative epistemologies for conducting research and evaluating practice. Ethical issues associated with conducting research and evaluating practice are addressed. The uses of research to inform practice, policy, and to promote social justice are considered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 442. Psychopathology3 Units
Description: This course examines concepts of labeling theory, stigma, strengths perspective, and the clinical use of diagnostic classification of psychopathology from a social work perspective. The implications of various definitions of psychopathology and the uses of diagnostic systems to inform practice, policy, and promote social justice are considered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 460. Intro Motivation and Change3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: The introductory/generalist level course focuses is on theory and evidence based practice methods aimed at engaging resistant people in the process of change. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered, yet directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation for change. BSW Upper Division Elective.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 464. Intro Social Work and the Law3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This introductory/generalist level course is designed to: 1) familiarize students with the legal system and the various roles of social workers within the legal arena; 2) increase student understanding of the impact of the legal system on social work clients and client groups; 3) increase student understanding of the interface of the law with professional social work practice; and 4) develop and enhance the skills needed by the professional social worker in situations where social work and the law interface.
Note: Previously taught as SW 364.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 470. Generalist Practicum I3 Units
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Corequisite(s): BSW 472.
Fee: An additional $43.00 is charged for this course.
Description: This course is designed to provide an educationally supervised practicum within human services organizations. This is a generalist practicum experience. This practicum course integrates course assignments to assist students in developing social work perspectives and skills using critical thinking in working with a range of client systems: individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The practicum experience provides for the use of critical thinking in the integration of theory learned across social work practice, human behavior, diversity, organizational and community dynamics, social policy, and research courses.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 471. Generalist Practicum II3 Units
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 470.
Corequisite(s): BSW 473.
Fee: An additional $43.00 is charged for this course.
Description: This course is designed to provide an educationally supervised practicum within human services organizations. This is a generalist practicum experience based on the structural/strengths model of social work practice. This practicum course integrates course assignments to assist students in developing social work perspectives and skills, using critical thinking in working with a range of client systems: individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The practicum experience provides for the use of critical thinking in the integration of theory learned across social work practice, human behavior, diversity, organizational and community dynamics, social policy, and research courses.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 472. Generalist Practicum Seminar and Lab I - CUE3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Corequisite(s): BSW 470.
Description: This course is intended to supplement the practicum experience by creating an arena for the integration of the theoretical contributions of coursework with the field through class discussion, written analysis and reflections, student presentations, readings, and learning exercises. Generalist social work practice, bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural functioning as it applies to all client systems, and the strengths perspective are reviewed. Students utilize their liberal arts foundation and critical thinking in examining the application of social work theory and practice skills. Students develop their social work identity informed by a critical analysis of components of practice from the practicum experience.
Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status., CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 473. Generalist Practicum Seminar and Lab II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): BSW 472 (or concurrent).
Corequisite(s): BSW 471.
Description: This course is intended to supplement the practicum experience by creating an arena for integration of practice theory and content through class discussion, written analysis, student presentations, readings, and in-class exercises. Generalist social work practice, the problem-solving model, and the strengths perspective will be reviewed. Students develop their social work identity informed by a critical analysis of the components of practice from the practicum experience. In this course students will weave the connection of theoretical content from throughout the curriculum into their actual practice, ensuring that the perspective that emerges is viewed through the lens of generalist social work practice. Development of self-awareness, self-assessment skills, and review of ethical decision-making guidelines for practice are central to the discussions of this course.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
BSW 499. Bachelor of Social Work Independent Study1-3 Units
Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: This course offers Kent School undergraduate social work students the opportunity for students, under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, to pursue individualized student related to research or practice that is not included in regular course curriculum.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
