NGO Education Survey

SWO 101

This is a one semester introduction to social work and human services and the major policies and practices that are used to understand human strengths and challenges. The course explores the skills, values and knowledge base needed to effectively work as a culturally competent, social work or human service professional in a multidisciplinary setting.

SWO 201  Domestic Violence: Impact on Individuals, Families and Communities 

This course is a one semester overview of the complexities underlying domestic violence in America, with a particular focus on Pennsylvania. Experts define domestic violence as behavioral patterns that are purposeful, often violent and used to maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Students will examine the historic and cultural context and expanded definition of domestic violence along with the current best practices to prevent and eliminate this problem. This course is designed to enhance the knowledge of students interested in the field of social work as they critically evaluate the complex overlapping of family dynamics, work place concerns and other social problems with the impact of physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological abuse. Special attention will be paid to the current best practices designed to assist children, individuals, families and communities with the goals of safety and self-determination.

SWO 203  Counseling Skills  

This experiential course is a one-semester introduction to the basic skills used in the helping process. The course is designed for individuals pursuing a career in social work, or other related human service fields of study. The focus is on development, synthesis, analysis and demonstration of critical reasoning in the use of the core skills that facilitate effective and culturally responsive helping relationships. This course includes both didactic instruction and the development of basic techniques through frequent, applied counseling skills lab activities and written self reflection assignments.

SWO 210  Human Behavior and the Social Environment  

This course focuses on the internal and external variables that influences human development across the lifespan. Students will study the range of social systems in which people live, describe empirically-based knowledge of human behavior in the social environment, identify concepts, assumptions and critiques of developmental theories and assess the level of impact that diversity and socio-economic levels have on human development. In addition to exploring bio-psycho-social theories students will utilize social work conceptual frameworks to guide evaluation of existing case studies, programs, and interventions. Various constructs from the Social Work profession will be utilized throughout the course. These include but are not limited to: bio-psycho-social, Person in Environment (PIE), strengths-perspective, Problem Solving Process/Generalist Intervention Model, NASW Code of Ethics and systems theory. This course is a required course for the DCCC, Associate in Arts Degree in Social Work. NOTE: Students who are planning to transfer to a 4-year institution and complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) are advised to plan early for transfer and meet with an advisor and transfer specialist.

SWO 220  Social Welfare Policy  

This course is designed to prepare the beginning social work practitioner with an awareness of the range and complexity of problems addressed by the social welfare system. Students will gain knowledge of the historical development of social welfare programs, in the United States, and the evolution of these programs over time. Students will identify and examine their own attitudes and values toward social issues. Knowledge of the social work profession and its’ contributions to social policy development will also be examined within this framework. This course supports the introductory competencies of one of the four major-specific content areas of the TOAC-PA agreement for transfer and is a required course for the Associate of Arts in Social Work degree at Delaware County Community College. NOTE: Students who are planning to transfer to a 4 year institution and complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) are advised to plan early for transfer and meet with a transfer advisor.