SWO201 / Introduction to Social Work (3-0) 3 credits 

The course is an introduction to the profession of Social Work, its basic philosophy, principles and methods. Special emphasis is given to the practice of Social Work in Lebanon, through introducing students to various social welfare policies and institutions.

SOC203 / Citizenship and Leadership (3-0) 3 credits (NEW) 

This course covers the basic concepts of leadership, active citizenship and public involvement in a democratic society.  It also examines the theories and approaches that link together these three concepts. The course will cover the principles and skills that leaders and citizens should acquire to be civically engaged in different social, political and economic contexts. Students will propose and implement a civic engagement project.

Exclusion: Students who take POL230 / Citizenship (1 cr.) and POL237 / Basics of Leadership (1 cr.) cannot take this course for credit.

SWO210 / Introduction to Community Development (3-0) 3 credits (NEW)

This course examines theories and practice of community development and the related principles and strategies adopted in developing countries. The roles of NGOs and international organizations will be introduced in addition to an overview of theories of community. 

SWO301 / Sociological Perspectives in Social Work (3-0) 3 credits (NEW)

This course sheds light on the functioning of individuals in various cultural and physical settings; their interactions with organizations and institutions are examined. Various sociological perspectives are analyzed along with their implications on social work practice.

Prerequisite: SWO201 / Introduction to Social Work and ENG202/ Sophomore Rhetoric.

SWO302 / Psychological Perspectives in Social Work (3-0) 3 credits (NEW)

The course introduces students to knowledge in behavioral sciences related to the understanding of individuals through a life span approach. It uses an ecosystem perspective to coordinate and synthesize a broad range of knowledge concerning the transactional and interactional aspects of small and medium size systems.

Prerequisite: SWO201 / Introduction to Social Work and ENG202/ Sophomore Rhetoric.

SWO313 / Family & Child Welfare (3-0) 3 credits

The course introduces students to theories of the family and to the field of child welfare with particular emphasis on services provided to children and families in Lebanon.

SWO320 / Social Work Practice Methods I (3-0) 3 credits

This course focuses on building generalist practice skills of communication and interviewing in social work, building professional relationship, stages of the helping process, need assessment methods, intervention planning, contracting and case management.

Prerequisite: SWO302 / Psychological Perspectives in Social Work and ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric.

SWO322 / Field Work Experience I (0-10) 3 credits 

Students are provided with field experience to apply specific skills and knowledge of working with individuals and families in different social welfare settings. Students are expected to spend 150 hours a semester in the field under direct supervision.

Prerequisite: SWO320 / Social Work Practice I.

SWO350 / Social & Welfare Policies (3-0) 3 credits (NEW) 

This course introduces students to the development of the welfare state and its demise in recent time. It also examines social & welfare policies, service delivery systems, policy analysis, and their impact on related social problems and population groups. Alternative policy guidelines will be discussed.

SWO355 / Research Methods (3-0) 3 credits (NEW)

This course provides students with the basic skills needed to design and implement scientific research projects. Systematic steps of defining the problem, formulating hypotheses, sampling strategies and methods, data collection and analysis, and reporting results are covered. The course deals with both qualitative and quantitative research. 

Prerequisite: Junior Standing.

SWO420 / Social Work Practice Methods II (3-0) 3 credits 

This course continues to build skills of generalist practice attending in greater details to various intervention roles, methods and techniques – planning and contracting – identifying alternative interventions – selecting and implementing appropriate courses of action – monitoring, evaluation and termination.

Prerequisite: ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric, SWO301 / Sociological Perspectives in Social Work and SWO 320 / Social Work Practice Methods I.

SWO422 / Field Work Experience II (0-10) 3 credits 

Emphasis is given to working with groups and communities in different social contexts. Development of professional skills in dealing with different actors in the situation.. Students are expected to spend 150 hours a semester in the field under direct supervision.

Prerequisite: ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric and SWO420 / Social Work Practice II..

SWO411 / Sustainable Community Development: Theories & Practice (3-0) 3 credits (NEW)

An examination of community development theories and research from a variety of disciplines. Special emphasis will be placed on integrating theoretical and practice tools related to sustainable community development in Lebanon.
 
Prerequisite: ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric and SWO210 / Introduction to Community Development.

SWO499 / Social Work Capstone Project (3-0) 3 credits 

This course is a systematic investigation of a practical question related to the practice of social work in Lebanon. Students will be encouraged to explore opportunities to collaborate and reach an explicit agreement with stakeholders in the community to investigate a mutually agreed upon relevant question. Students would engage in this collaborative process that is of mutual interest to the student and the community.Students would conduct an analysis and evaluation of a case that exemplifies a pressing contemporary social work issue using a variety of practice methods.The expectation is that the results of the capstone investigation would be disseminated within the collaborating agency and to other relevant stakeholders.

Prerequisite: ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric, ENG203 / Fundamentals of Oral Communication, Senior standing, and consent of instructor.

SOC201 / Intro. to Sociology (3-0) 3 credits 

The course introduces students to the basic concepts and processes governing social relationships as well as scientific approaches dealing with and explaining social phenomena. Various social institutions are examined.

SOC311 / Social Problems, Stratification & Marginalization (3-0) 3 credits

This course provides an analysis of the nature causes and types of social problems and marginalization in modern society, notably in the Middle East. Selected social problems are studied, including various theories on such problems and a critical review of proposed solutions.

SOC321 / Sociology of the Arab World (3-0) 3 credits

A seminar for students interested in understanding the Arab world’s social structures with emphasis on major institutions and values, viewed from a three-dimensional perspective, namely: habitat, ethnic compositions and history.

PSY201 / Intro. to Psychology (3-0) 3 credits 

Psychology evolved out of both philosophy and biology. Discussions of these two subjects date as far back as the early Greek thinkers including Aristotle and Socrates. The word psychology is derived from the Greek word psyche, meaning ‘soul’ or ‘mind.’ Psychology is both an applied and academic field that studies the human mind and behavior. Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain thought, emotion and behavior. Applications of psychology include mental health treatment, performance enhancement, self-help, and many other areas affecting health and daily life.

PSY202 / Child Psychology (3-0) 3 credits

The course explores theories and research findings, on prenatal development, physical growth, emotional, social, and intellectual development, and cultural influences in children prior to adolescence.

PSY203 / Psychology of Youth (3-0) 3 credits 

This course focuses on the physical, cognitive and emotional changes experienced by young people and how these changes affected by family, peers, dating, and the media. It also considers the challenges faced by adolescence, with a focus on drugs, and deviance.

Prerequisite: PSY201 / Introduction to Psychology or PSY202 / Child Psychology.

PSY204 / Social Psychology (3-0) 3 credits

Social Psychology focuses on how individual motives, cognitions, attitudes are affected by groups, organizations and institutes. These influences will be explored in domains such as interpersonal attraction, prejudice, conformity, attitudes, aggression and motivation.

Prerequisite:  PSY201 / Introduction to Psychology.

PSY311 / Exceptional Child (3-0) 3 credits 

This course provides an introduction to the concept of exceptionality and an overview of the various forms of a typical growth and development. Course work includes psychology and identification of exceptional children. Focus is on children classified as having learning disabilities and their implications for classroom life in both special cases and inclusion setting.

Prerequisite:  PSY201 / Introduction to Psychology.

PSY234 / Development Across Life Span (3-0) 3 credits 

Human Development Through the Lifespan is devoted to the study and understanding of constancy and change of human beings in the physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains interpreted through a variety of theoretical frameworks, contexts, and interdisciplinary research. The course will cover the periods of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, late adulthood and old age.

Prerequisite PSY201 / Introduction to Psychology 

POL231 / Introduction to Human Rights (3-0) 3 credits
This course deals with international human rights’ policies and the moral and political issues to which they give rise. The course poses questions such as: What are human rights? Are some rights more fundamental than others, and what compelling interests, if any, justify their violation? 

POL252 / Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3-0) 3 credits

This introductory course explores the nature of conflict and a variety of tools to analyze conflict at different levels. The course examines the complex causes of conflict within the framework of human rights and needs. The course introduces students to models for analyzing conflict and practical ways for responding to conflict, including skills of interpersonal communication, negotiation and mediation.

POL331 / International Organizations (3-0) 3 credits

This course covers the concepts and the evolution of international organizations. It encompasses the structure and the evolution of the United Nations, with emphasis on collective security. Pacific settlements of disputes, peacekeeping operations, and economic and social developments.

Co-requisite: ENG202/ Sophomore Rhetoric.

WOS313 / Women in the Arab World – Sociological Perspectives  (3-0) 3 credits

This course examines the roles and status of Arab women in relation to various societal factors, including a brief overview of the legal rights as stated in the personal status code. Class discussions will analyze the changes by identifying determinants and patterns of change. Students are also introduced to basic gender, and feminist, perspectives on the status of women in Arab societies.

Prerequisite: ENG102 / English II

MGT201 / Introduction To Management (3-0) 3 credits

This course is a study of the management principles and concepts, specifically its history and philosophy, in addition to the processes, decision-making, planning, organizing, actuating and controlling.

MGT401 / Project Management (3-0) 3 credits

This course covers the problems of managing projects on identification, design, appraisal, selection, organization, operations, supervision and control, completion and evaluation.

Prerequisites: Senior standing, ACC202 / Principles of Accounting II and MGT201 / Introduction to Management.

MGT441 / Human Resources Development (3-0) 3 credits

This course is based on the functions of management.  It provides the students with the tools necessary to run contemporary functions applied in human resources development. Having known the classical functions of personnel management, and based on the continuous change of organizations, students will cover the advanced topics in strategic management of human resources, training and development, performance appraisal management, career planning, technology implementation, and other new happenings in the realm of human resources.

LEG201 / Introduction to Legal Studies (3-0) 3 credits

This course explores the ways “law shapes society and society shapes law “. This course introduces students to Legal Studies in the legal fields and topics. Legal lexis will be emphasized. Over the course of the semester, the students will be exposed to the definitions and concepts of law, the different forms of law and how they are shaped. It will explore how people understand law and the legal system, how injuries and disputes are understood and mediated. It will as well define the goals and purposes of trials. This course will also provide an overview of the role of paralegals in a work environment, while concentrating on the various regulations and ethical guidelines governing the work of paralegals.

ICC202 / Public Relations (3-0) 3 credits

This course details the principles of public relations, PR ethics, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, promotional campaigns, and media relations.

ICC213 / Interpersonal Communication (3-0) 3 credits

This course helps to increase students’ understanding and implementation of effective interpersonal communication behaviors. The course examines the basic verbal, and nonverbal elements affecting communication among individuals, within the family, peer group, and work contexts. Topics include strategy development, relationship and conversation management, defensive communication, and cultural and gender issues in communication style.