Academic Catalog 2019–2020

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Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Community Development

Overview

The B.A. in Social Work & Community Development prepares students for careers in social work working for local and international NGOs, government ministries or departments, schools, entry-level health and mental health facilities, and humanitarian and community agencies.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work & Community Development at LAU is to prepare competent, generalist, evidence-based social work practitioners with special emphasis on poverty reduction, the special needs of the underprivileged and the vulnerable groups in society, guided by the global values of human rights, social justice, and equality. The social work program intends to engage students in scholarly activities, continued learning and the community.

Program Objectives

The B.A in Social Work and Community Development endeavors to:

  1. further the practice of social work by serving individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities as guided by professional ethics1,
  2. promote and integrate scholarship into practice through an evidence-based process,
  3. prepare graduates committed to lifelong learning, social justice, and human diversity, and
  4. foster engagement in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.

1 This program does not prepare students for the practice of Social Work in New York State. If a graduate of this program seeks to enter a master’s level social work program, all decisions regarding advanced standing are made at the discretion of the institution offering the MSW program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Social Work and Community Development, students will:

  1. practice social work in a variety of areas with various population groups, with special emphasis on community development skills (in capacity building, need assessment, conflict resolution and resource mobilization as well as other intervention modalities),
  2. apply a person-environment perspective to work with individuals, groups and communities,
  3. apply the necessary values and ethical principles of the profession of social work,
  4. apply research methods to promote a scientific-based social work practice,
  5. demonstrate professional attitudes towards diverse populations and value the culture and sub-culture of various groups, and
  6. apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

  • Program Core Requirements (42 credits)
  • Program Electives (9 credits)
  • LAS Core Courses (13 credits)
  • LAS Electives (21 credits)
  • Free Electives (7 credits)

A senior project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Program Core Requirements (42 credits)

  • SWO201 Introduction to Social Work (3 cr.)
  • SOC203 Citizenship & Leadership (3 cr.)
  • SWO210 Introduction to Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SWO301 Sociological Perspectives in Social Work (3 cr.)
  • SWO302 Psychological Perspectives in Social Work (3 cr.)
  • SWO313 Family & Child Welfare (3 cr.)
  • SWO320 Social Work Practice Methods I (3 cr.)
  • SWO322 Field Work Experience I (3 cr.)1
  • SWO350 Social & Welfare Policies (3 cr.)
  • SWO355 Research Methods (3 cr.)
  • SWO411 Sustainable Community Development: Theories & Practice (3 cr.)
  • SWO420 Social Work Practice Methods II (3 cr.)
  • SWO422 Field Work Experience II (3 cr.)1
  • SWO499 Social Work Capstone Project (3 cr.)

1 The field work components of the program must be completed in Lebanon.

Program Electives (9 credits)

Choose any three courses from among the following (alternatively, three courses from one emphasis):

Sociology

  • SOC201 Introduction Sociology (3 cr.)
  • SWO311 Social Problems & Marginalization (3 cr.)
  • SOC321 Sociology of the Arab World (3 cr.)
  • WOS313 Women in the Arab World (3 cr.)

Psychology

  • ​PSY201 Introduction to Psychology​ (3 cr.)
  • PSY202 Child Psychology (3 cr.)
  • PSY304 Psychology of Youth (3 cr.)
  • PSY311 Exceptional Child (3 cr.)
  • PSY323 Social Psychology (3 cr.)

Political Science/Legal Studies

  • POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
  • POL231 Introduction to Human Rights (3 cr.)
  • POL252 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3 cr.)
  • POL331 International Organizations (3 cr.)
  • LEG201 Introduction to Legal Studies (3 cr.)

Management

  • MGT201 Introduction to Management (3 cr.)
  • MGT401 Project Management (3 cr.)
  • MGT441 Human Resources Management (3 cr.)

Other

  • COM202 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
  • COM213 Public Relations (3 cr.)
  • ENG412 Grant Writing (3 cr.)

 

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (15 credits)

  • SWO201 Introduction to Social Work ( 3 cr.)
  • LAS Core (3 cr.)
  • LAS Core (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (13 credits)

  • SOC203 Citizenship & Leadership (3 cr.)
  • SWO210 Introduction to Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SWO302 Psychological Perspectives in Social Work (3 cr.)
  • LAS Core (1 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (18 credits)

  • SWO320 Social Work Practice Methods I (3 cr.)
  • SWO313 Family & Child Welfare (3 cr.)
  • SWO350 Social & Welfare Policies (3 cr.)
  • LAS Core (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)
  • Major Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • SWO322 Field Work Experience I (3 cr.)
  • SWO355 Research Methods in Social Work (3 cr.)
  • SWO301 Sociological Perspectives in Social Work (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (16 credits)

  • SWO420 Social Work Practice Methods II (3 cr.)
  • SWO411 Sustainable Community Development: Theories and Practice (3 cr.)
  • Major Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Core (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (1 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • SWO422 Field Work Experience II (3 cr.)
  • SWO499 Social Work Capstone Project (3 cr.)
  • Program Elective (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Extracurricular Activities

The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities. LAU offers a variety of student clubs ranging from environmental protection, Red-Cross, UNESCO, cultural and social work clubs.

In addition, many social work students have the opportunity to volunteer in any NGO of their choice which are made available through a yearly NGO fair organized on campus.

Social work students have the opportunity to participate in lectures, university campaigns and activities organized by the school, department and affiliated institutes and centers, especially the Civic Engagement and Outreach Unit.

Social work students also have the opportunity to spend two semesters in field organizations of their choice to hone their skills in social work practice and prepare themselves for employment.