School of Social Work: General Information
2008-2009 Academic Year
697
practices to provide a comprehensive overview of this rich and varied system and
people.
SOWK 250 Community Organizing for Social Change: Theories and
Methods (3 credits)
This course employs an interdisciplinary approach to the practice of community
organizing. Drawing on classical and contemporary texts, students will engage in
the works of Alinsky, Freire, Pharr, Piven and Cloward and others. Narratives of
people of color and other oppressed groups organizing for social change will be
emphasized. Student learning includes applying community organizing theories
and methods through practical engagement in the most current issues in post-
Katrina New Orleans such as environmental problems, housing advocacy, race
relations, education and other issues pertinent to community development.
SOWK 260.01 Domestic and International Terrorism: Implications for
Social Policy and Practice (3 credits)
This course introduces the student to theories, motivations, tactics, and goals of
terrorism. The course will provide insight into the ideology, structure, financing,
and driving forces behind terrorist groups inside the United States (home-grown)
and international (foreign) groups. Additionally, the course will offer a critical
analysis of the governmental response to the "war on terrorism" including
contemporary models of counterterrorism and how terrorist groups and
governments' responses affect social policy.
SOWK 300 Civic Engagement and Leadership (3 credits)
NOTE: This course has a service-learning component and is a prerequisite for
Center for Public Service student leadership positions.
In this course students with previous experience in service learning or community
service will have an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of civic engagement
and strengthen their leadership skills. There are two major goals of the course.
The first goal is to enhance students' knowledge, strengths and abilities to
facilitate university-community partnerships. The second goal is to foster a life-
long commitment to civic engagement and democratic leadership. A combination
of lecture, guest speakers, discussion, group exercises and a community-based
project will be used in this course. Students who satisfactorily complete this
course will be eligible for future leadership opportunities with the newly formed
Center for Public Service.