Ph.D. in Social Work and Anthropology
Students can apply to earn a doctorate in Social Work and Anthropology
(SWAN). The joint Social Work/ Anthropology PhD program draws on the
strengths of both fields in theory, social history, research, policy and practice.
The SWAN program combines the approaches of each field to make use of its
urban location to foster scholarship focusing on global issues of 21st century
post-industrial cities and how these cities are being re-invented. Students
will receive a thorough grounding in the theoretical and applied aspects of
both Social Work and Anthropology and will apply this knowledge to pursue
scholarship in areas of interest focusing on urbanism, internationalism, and
social/cultural organization. SWAN students follow a curriculum that draws
from existing courses in each field with the addition of one new core course
that fully integrates the two disciplines. Specific new content combining the
perspectives of both disciplines is included in the MA/MSW level practica,
the qualifying exam requirements, and dissertation research to meet the
educational requirements of this degree.
This program prepares scholars for work in several different occupations.
Graduates are qualified for faculty positions in social work or anthropology.
In addition, they are highly qualified for positions in governmental or nonprofit agencies that work in urban or international development.
Admission. Applicants must apply specifically for the SWAN program. They
must meet the admissions standards of the Graduate School and the SWAN program.
Students who do not possess an MSW must also apply to the MSW program after
alerting the SW doctoral chair of their application to the SWAN program.
Social Work Course Descriptions for SWAN Program
SW 7771 and 7722 Field Work Seminar I and II
Facilitation of student understanding of the learning experience through critical
reflection on field and course work.
SW 7040 Methods of Social Work Practice
Basic theories and principles of practice including a strengths perspective with
diverse individuals and families. Emphasis on basic values, roles, skills of generalist
social work practice; and on ecological systems perspective and practice principles
with at-risk and oppressed populations. Skills of empowerment to achieve
individual and collective social and economic justice.
SW 7720 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy in the United States
Historical development of social welfare viewed dynamically as a function of social,
economic, political and cultural transitions. Evolution of professional social work.
Framework of analysis for social welfare policies, programs and agencies.
SW 7998 Concentration Field Work for Social Workers I, II, III, IV
Practicum of M.S.W. program integrated with courses in social work method, human
behavior and the social environment, social welfare organization and policy, and
research. Field placements assigned by Coordinator of Field Education.
SW 7055 Foundation Group Theory and Practice:
Ecological systems perspective used to critically assess influence of mezzo systems
on human behavior and their consistency with social values and ethics. Use of
strengths perspective with diverse groups within generalist practice. Group types,
process, dynamics, leadership. Planning of groups, interventions, social and
economic justice.
SW 7065 Foundation Macro Theory and Practice
Ecological systems perspective used to critically assess influence of macro system
on human behavior and their consistency with social values and ethics. Generalist
practice and strengths perspective. Practice with diverse communities and
organizations, particularly at-risk populations. Needs assessment skills; promotion
of macro change and social and economic justice in an urban context.
SW 8025 Community Assessment and Evaluation
Prereq: S W 7065, S W 7820, S W 7830 or consent of instructor. Preparation of
social workers to intervene into communities, institutions, neighborhoods, and
other social groups by using empirically substantiated social science techniques.
Using social justice-oriented, community-driven, data collection techniques,
students conduct an assessment and/or evaluation of any given community.
SW 8055 Program Evaluation & Social Action Research
Prereq: S W 7820, S W 7830 or consent of instructor. Introduces concepts, practices,
and methodological approaches central to empowerment and action-oriented
research. Overview of ideological demands, barriers and constraints of this
prospective are addressed. Strategies and skills are employed in the community.
SW 8075
Theories and Practice of Community Building and Development.
Prereq: S W 7065; coreq S W 8998. Best practices and theories on community
development and engagement. Use of organizing techniques, developing linkages,
enhancing participation and intervening to ensure effective delivery of services to
communities; practices in international development, international NGO's,
governmental development agencies, and the United Nations are included.
SW 8770 Advanced Policy Analysis
Opportunity to conduct a policy analysis in an area of interest; e.g., welfare reform,
corrections, homelessness, health, domestic violence.
SW 8881 Field Work Seminar III and IV
Facilitation of student understanding of the learning experience through critical
reflection on field and course work.
SW 9000 Directed Study: Doctoral
Independent study under guidance of a faculty member.
SW 9100 Social Statistics and Data Analysis
Application of univariate and bivariate statistics and analysis of variance to analyze
data obtained from social work practice settings. Students learn to formulate
appropriate research questions and hypotheses before data collection, to use SPSS
to conduct analysis, and to interpret analyses and communicate findings to
academics and practitioners.
SW 9210 Theories for Practice and Research with Individuals
Major theoretical systems currently used in clinical social work practices presently
used with individuals, examined from six vantage points: model origin; conceptual
framework; view of person-in-environment; philosophy of treatment; model
effectiveness; practice controversies.
SW 9220 Theories for Practice and Research with Groups and Families
Theories, models and perspectives guiding social work practice with groups and
families, with an emphasis theories of how groups and families function and change.
SW 9230 Theories for Practice and Research with Communities and
Organizations.
Two perspectives: how macro serves as a context of social work practice at levels of
policy, community, organization; and theories of practice with macro systems. How
a scholar imparts content and undertakes research at these levels.
SW 9300 Applied Regression Analysis and Generalized Linear Models
Classic regression models, generalized linear models, including weighted leastsquares, hierarchical linear models, logistic regression. Using SPSS to analyze social
work practice data; interpretation of findings; communication of findings to
scholars and practitioners.
SW 9400 Qualitative Research Methods in Social Work
Examination of social work practice through case study, action research, and
qualitative approaches to knowledge building.
SW 9410 Quantitative Research Methods in Social Work
Understanding and application of knowledge and skills in quantitative research
methods aimed at increasing knowledge for social work practice and social welfare
policy; clear, researchable questions; use of appropriate theory; selection of design;
drawing of sample; and development of appropriate measures and operations
within person-in-environment framework. (Y)
SW 9420 Research Practicum
Supervised hands-on research experience with a faculty member. Problem
formulation, literature review, sample selection, sampling technique, formulation of
design, development of instruments, data analysis, interpretation of results, writing
a research report within the person-in-environment framework.
Anthropology Course Descriptions for SWAN Program
AN 5060 Urban Anthropology. (SOC 5540) Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or consent of instructor. Social-cultural effects of urbanization
from a cross-cultural perspective with emphasis on the developing area of the
world. The process of urbanization; the anthropological approach in the area of
urban studies. (Y)
AN 5140 Biology and Culture. Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or 2110 or consent of instructor. Interrelationships between the
cultural and biological aspects of humans; human genetic variability, human
physiological plasticity and culture as associated mechanisms by which humans
adapt to environmental stress.
(Y)
AN 5320 Language and Societies. (LIN 5320) Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or 5200 or consent of instructor. Contemporary linguistic
anthropologists see language as a form of social action. How has this understanding
of language in society evolved? Read classic works of linguistic anthropology and
contemporary studies in this growing field. Engage in research in language in
society. (W)
AN 5700 Applied Anthropology. Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or 5200 or consent of instructor. The application of
anthropological concepts and methods to contemporary issues of public concern in
the United States and abroad. (B)
AN 6300 Anthropological Theory I. Cr. 3
Required for first year graduate students. Examination of some major debates in
anthropology in historical and contemporary perspective; continuities and
breakthroughs. (Y)
AN 6310 Anthropological Theory II. Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 6300. Required for Ph.D. students. Continuation of ANT 6300. (B)
AN 7200 Qualitative Research I. Cr. 4
Prereq: ANT 6300 or 6310 or consent of instructor. Qualitative methods techniques
and research design. Students conduct independent field research and learn data
collection methods. (B)
AN 7210 Qualitative Research II. Cr. 4
Prereq: ANT 7200. Students continue their field research and learn to analyze and
draw theoretical conclusions from their data. Training in computer and other tools
for data analysis and theory building. (B)
AN 7780 Conceptualizing the Dissertation. Cr. 3
Basic concepts, practices, and skills needed to develop and present a grant proposal
for funding. (W)
1-2 Specialty seminar in area of specialization among those listed below:
AN 6700 Topics in Medical Anthropology. Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or consent of instructor. New and emerging topics in medical
anthropology or topics presented by visiting faculty in areas of theory, practice, and
methodology. (B)
AN 6710 Medical Anthropology: Alcohol/Drug Use and Abuse. Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or consent of instructor. Biological and cultural aspects of alcohol
and drug use and abuse considered in the context of medical anthropology and its
theory, practice and research. (B)
AN 6450 Culture, Health Policy and AIDS. Cr. 3
Prereq: ANT 2100 or consent of instructor. Interface of cultural, scientific and
political factors in the formation of health policy. Focus on analysis of the social
construction of the HIV epidemic; and political, economic and medical aspects of
HIV. (I)
AN 6992 Field Practicum in Business/Organizational Anthropology. Cr. 2-8
Prereq: consent of instructor. Students gain firsthand experience in conceptualizing,
conducting, and/or implementing applied research in business and other
organizations. (F,W)
AN 7260 (UP 7260) Urban Poverty and Racial Segregation. (AFS 6600) (P S
7260) (SOC 7350) Cr. 3
Prereq: graduate standing. Review of theories of poverty from various
economic/political perspectives; historical intervention policies; current literature
on interplay of racial, economic, and spatial factors on growing economic inequality
among urban whites and African-Americans. Political rationale and meaning of
"underclass" debate.
(B)
AN 7430 (NUR 7515) End-of-Life Issues. (ANT 5430) (LIS 7635) (SOC 5020)
(SOC 7020) Cr. 3-4
Physical, spiritual, legal, economic, political, cultural, and ethical issues at the end of
life, examined as stories about individuals, families, and communities. (Y)
AN 7680 Medical Anthropology I. Cr. 3 (Max. 6)
Prereq: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Required of students in medical
anthropology concentration or applied medical anthropology M.A. program. Core
concepts and theoretical approaches, including: aging, life course, childhood, old
age, disability, chronic illness, infectious disease, international health, organization
of health care institutions, health policy, political economy of health, women's
health, reproduction, technology, the body, bioethics, culture and cognition, death
and dying, race and ethnicity, violence, sex and sexuality. (B)
AN 7690 Medical Anthropology II. Cr. 3
Prereq: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Required of students in medical
anthropology concentration or applied medical anthropology M.A. program.
Continuation of ANT 7680. (B)
AN 7700 Seminar in Business and Industrial Anthropology. Cr. 3-9
Prereq: graduate standing. Applications of anthropology to domestic and
international business and industrial practices. Topics include: technology, material
culture, and consumption; industrial anthropology; organizational culture and
reform; anthropology of capitalism; globalization. (B)
An area studies course taken at a graduate level.
SWAN Course Descriptions
SWAN course #XXX
Cr. 3
The capstone course focuses interdisciplinary theory and research and the
attendant challenges in implementing these goals, competing successfully for
funding, and publishing findings emerging from interdisciplinary research. The
course will feature extensive reading in the interdisciplinary theory and
epistemology, guest lecturers by faculty currently conducting inter-disciplinary
research, and attention to the process and substance of individual student
interdisciplinary research projects intended for the dissertation.
SWAN 9991, 9992, 9993, 9994 Doctoral Candidate Status I: Dissertation
Research and Direction. Cr. 7.5 each semester
Dissertation research that focuses on a major social work or social welfare
issue or problem with significant attention to the role of cultural values, beliefs or
practices in the constitution or definition of the issue or problem will be conducted.