Class Descriptions

SW863

Applied Structural Equation Modeling

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This course will build on students’ previous knowledge of multiple linear regression and expanding to allow for correlated and casually related latent variables. Provides the basic theoretical background necessary for the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to research problems including model specification, identification, path analysis, estimation, testing fit, respecification, confirmatory factor analysis and issues concerning the interpretation of SEM results. Advanced topic will be discussed if time permits. The software package Mplus will be the primary analysis tool for this course, and the R software will be used as a complementary. Focus of this course will be on applying SEM to real world research. Understanding of linear regression is assumed for this course.
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SW864

Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing and one grad level stats course or permission of instructor
Description:
Longitudinal and Content Multilevel models have become a standard statistical tool for quantitative research on neighborhoods, communities and schools. Perhaps surprisingly, the multilevel model for crosssectional data can easily accommodate longitudinal data where study participants are observed repeatedly. While this is sometimes not recognized, multilevel models for longitudinal data are closely related to other important longitudinal data models, such as fixed effects regression, an important technique for controlling for unobserved variables. This course focuses on the use of multilevel and longitudinal data analysis for social work research.
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SW865

Meta-Analysis

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This is a doctoral-level method course focused on advanced methodologies in research synthesis. Upon completion, students will be able to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis study of publishable quality. The first two weeks of the course will provide a comprehensive introduction to systematic review, including developing a research topic, selecting databases, crafting search keywords, and conducting literature search and data extraction in a rigorous and transparent (replicable) way. The rest of the semester will focus on methodologies of meta-analysis. We will start with calculating standardized mean difference (SMD) as well as converting other statistics into the SMD metric. We will then discuss pooling SMD effect sizes using fixed versus random effects models. Meta-regression analysis will also be introduced to facilitate moderator analyses. Advanced methods to address dependent effects, i.e., multi-level meta-analysis, generalized least squares, and robust variance estimation, will be introduced and practiced during the latter part of the semester. Additional topics including assessing publication bias, meta-analysis of correlations and meta-analyzing categorical effects will be discussed if time permits. The R Software will be used for all analyses in this course.
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SW866

Qualitative Methods

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This course is designed as an introductory doctoral seminar to the qualitative research process. We will examine the family of research strategies that fall under the rubric of qualitative inquiry (such as auto-ethnography, ethnography, narrative analysis, text or discourse analysis, visual analysis, case study, grounded theory, oral/life history, focus groups, phenomenology, symbolic interactionism, participatory action research, etc.). Course topics include: the role of qualitative research in social work and applied domains, critical examination of the ontological, epistemological and theoretical underpinnings of qualitative approaches, framing qualitative research questions, positionality and the role of the researcher, ethical and political issues unique to qualitative work, research design (we will select one or two for in-depth coverage), collecting and managing non-numeric empirical evidence, approaches to analysis, computer assisted software, issues in writing up qualitative studies, finding scholarly publication and conference outlets for qualitative work and criteria for assessing the quality of qualitative studies. Student projects will include work with the three primary sources of empirical evidence in qualitative designs: interviews, observations, and documents (or other social artifacts). Throughout the term particular emphasis will be placed on meaning-making, perception, and stand-point in knowledge creation and development.
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SW867

Participatory Research Strategies to Maximize Community Impact

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This course will offer an advanced introduction to participatory research methods and methodologies (i.e. community-based participatory research, Photovoice, digital storytelling, participatory action research, participatory evaluation…). The course will invite students to examine the theoretical, technical, and practical elements of doing participatory research, from philosophical underpinnings to research design and analysis strategies to protecting (and engaging) research participants. The course will explore and reflect on issues of power, trust, (in)equity, and social (in)justice; and examine the multiple ways in which participatory research can be used as a vehicle for just social change. Students will learn about different participatory approaches to engage partners in assessing community strengths, priorities and issues in order to develop research questions and methods that can engage community members in each step of the research and evaluation process (to greater and lesser extents). To apply these skills and knowledge, students will work with a defined group of community partners/stakeholders to design and pilot one part of a participatory research project that responds to a community-identified need, is feasible and can produce outcomes that can be utilized to promote, understand or begin to address community partners’ priorities. Through this applied participatory research process, students will better understand challenges, issues and insights that emerge from this form of research, and how they may engage community members in their future research. The course involves a combination of lectures, readings, class discussions and exercises, and student-directed small research projects to facilitate achievement of learning objectives.
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SW868

Social Work Pedagogy

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
None
Description:
Through doctoral education, students become stewards of the social work profession by developing knowledge and skills that advance the profession’s primary mission, “to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty” (NASW Code of Ethics). Doctoral students advance this mission through excellence in teaching that fosters an inclusive learning environment and incorporates a critical praxis to maintain awareness of oppressive systems. This doctoral-level, social work pedagogy course is designed to prepare students to contribute to the research and teaching missions of future educational institutions. This course will focus on three overarching goals: (1) understanding and applying theories of university teaching, adult learning, and social work education; (2) developing essential teaching knowledge and skills in social work education such as creating learning objectives, syllabi, and grading systems that apply principles of universal design; and (3) recognizing and applying contemporary issues (e.g., technology, hybrid, and inclusive learning environments) to social work education. Through these overarching goals, students will gain knowledge and skills for developing their personal teaching philosophies, course planning and instruction, and situating themselves and their classroom experiences within contemporary educational debates. Students will learn how to foster inclusive classroom environments, facilitate transformational conversations, use principles of universal design, and incorporate a critical praxis into their teaching. While the course content is widely applicable to interdisciplinary teaching, the course will emphasize preparation for teaching in Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work degree programs.
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SW871

Anthropology & Soc Work Seminar

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
None
Description:
This seminar is a foundation course for students in the joint Anthropology/Social Work Program. The readings bring together social theory and ethnographic accounts of contemporary social issues. Topics, chosen to illustrate the intersection of the two fields and to bring together faculty from both schools, may include medicine and health, human and civil rights, urban neighborhoods, immigration, race, ethnicity, and gender. Beyond the joint Anthropolgy/Social Work students, the course is expected to attract joint Social Work/social science students from other disciplines, as well as graduate students in anthroplogy, political science, sociology, psychology, economics, and other fields. The course will include events such as guest speakers, works in-progress discussions, reading group, etc.
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SW873

Theories of Change

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This course focuses on change, particularly social change, with an emphasis on examining its characterization, explanation and perpetration. The objectives of the course are to deepen and broaden theoretical and empirical understanding of change, and to enhance capacity to pose and address analytic questions about change as well as critically considering the viability of analyses for suggesting policy adjustments or initiatives, or plans of intervention. The objectives will be achieved through readings, class discussions and presentations, and written work.
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SW874

Social Work and Sociology

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This seminar provides a foundation and overview for students interested in understanding the intersection between social work and sociology. The readings bring together sociological theory and scholarship as they relate to contemporary social work and social welfare issues. Topics, chose to illustrate the intersection of the two fields and to bring together faculty from both schools, may include poverty, social stratification, and health. Beyond the joint Sociology/Social Work students, the course is expected to attract joint Social Work/social science students from other disciplines, as well as graduate students in economics, public policy, political science, psychology, and other fields. The course will include activities such as guest speakers, works in-progress discussions, readings, and presentations.
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SW875

Social Work and Economics

Credits:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites:
Doctoral Standing or permission of instructor
Description:
This seminar provides a foundation and overview for students interested in understanding the intersection between social work and economics. The readings bring together economic theory and scholarship as they relate to contemporary social work and social welfare issues. Topics, chosen to illustrate the intersection of the two fields and to bring together faculty from both schools, may include poverty, education, and health care. Beyond the joint Eonomics/Social Work students, the course is expected to attract joint Social Work/social science students from other disciplines, as well as graduate students in economics, political science, sociology, psychology, and other fields. The course will include activities such as guest speakers, works in-progress discussions, readings, and presentations.
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