Courses

SPOL 588. Special Topics in Social Policy and Social Research. 1-5 Units.

Reviews current knowledge and/or research methodologies in specified areas of social policy and social research.

SPOL 599. Independent Study. 1-8 Units.

Limited to Ph.D. degree students who wish to pursue independent investigations in social policy and/or social research under the direction of a department faculty member.

SPOL 600. Colloquium. 1 Unit.

Provides students with an academic seminar to explore and discuss relevant topics in the field of social policy and social research.
Prerequisite: Program prerequisite in interviewing and counseling.

SPOL 601. Integrative Seminar: Pro-seminar. 1 Unit.

Provides an overview to social work academe, research, policy and teaching. Focuses on LLU’s program and creates an environment to nurture student’s research interest.
Prerequisite: Matriculated in PhD in Social Welfare and Social Research.

SPOL 602. Integrative Seminar: Global Perspective. 2 Units.

Focuses on research and practice using a global perspective that locates differences and similarities of behavioral and other health inequities locally and internationally.
Prerequisite: SPOL 601.

SPOL 603. Integrative Seminar: Implementation Science. 1 Unit.

Focuses on promoting, adopting, and integrating evidenced-based research and practices by identifying barriers that prevent successful integration in practice, policies, and programming. Explores transdisciplinary research, transprofessional practice, and effective leadership and advocacy.
Prerequisite: SPOL 601, SPOL 602.

SPOL 604A. Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice. 1 Unit.

The first of three seminars focusing on the art and science of social work education, developing a teaching philosophy, instructional teaching methodologies, grading, educational ethics, and student assessment.
Cross-listing: SWCL 604A.

SPOL 604B. Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice. 1 Unit.

The second of three seminars on careers in social work education. Focuses on course subject and curriculum development and participating in social work accreditation.
Cross-listing: SWCL 604B.

SPOL 604C. Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice. 1 Unit.

Third of three seminars on careers in social work education. Examines preparation for career opportunities in social work education, and role of faculty in institutional, school, and program engagement and governance. Discusses scholarship expectations, student advising, and mentoring. Guidance on applying and interviewing for positions.
Cross-listing: SWCL 604C.

SPOL 610. Diversity Theory and Global Perspectives. 3 Units.

Critical examination of contemporary theories of diversity as seen through the lens of a global perspective, including intersectionality. Opportunity to apply these theories using a cultural humility framework for engaging diverse populations in policy practice and research.

SPOL 613. Social Science Concepts I. 3 Units.

First of two courses reviewing key theories, writers, conceptual frameworks, and seminal ideas from classical social science theory that have laid the foundation for contemporary social welfare theory and social research.

SPOL 614. Social Science Concepts II. 3 Units.

Second of two courses reviewing key theories, writers, conceptual frameworks, and seminal ideas from the Post Modern era that have laid the foundation for contemporary social welfare theory and social research.
Prerequisite: SPOL 613.

SPOL 616. History and Philosophy of Social Welfare Policy. 3 Units.

Explores the history of social welfare from a multicultural perspective and relates these principles to current and evolving social needs.

SPOL 654. Research Methods I. 4 Units.

Advanced quantitative research methods. Emphasizes experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and examines specific methodologies used in conducting research in the area of social policy and social research. Topics include measurement issues, research design, sampling, and statistical interpretation. Addresses survey research, time-series designs, and more advanced techniques.

SPOL 655. Research Methods II. 4 Units.

Advanced course in qualitative and mixed research methods. Emphasizes selected qualitative and mixed research methodologies specific to social policy and clinical and health services research. Topics covered include theoretical bases for conducting qualitative research; research design; data gathering, including interviewing, observation, archival and historical research, and data analysis and writing. Introduces various methods for integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

SPOL 658. Advanced Policy Analysis and Research. 3 Units.

Presents conceptual and analytical requirements of policy analysis and research. Examines integration of behavioral, political, economic, and sociometric frameworks for understanding human conditions that support the development of formal policy arguments and policy research for sustained change.

SPOL 665. Statistical Practicum Seminar. 2 Units.

Students collectively conceptualize and analyze a research question from a data set. Requires a scholarly product outcome.

SPOL 667. Research Methods Practicum Seminar. 2 Units.

Development of methodology section and submission of draft dissertation proposal.
Prerequisite: SPOL 665.

SPOL 681. Dissertation Proposal I. 3 Units.

Development of the dissertation proposal. Research advisor develops with the student mutually agreed-upon objectives. Evaluation based on accomplishment of these objectives.

SPOL 682. Dissertation Proposal II. 3 Units.

Development of the dissertation proposal. Research advisor develops with the student mutually agreed-upon objectives. Evaluation based on accomplishment of these objectives.
Prerequisite: SPOL 681.

SPOL 683. Dissertation Proposal III. 3 Units.

Development of the dissertation proposal. Research advisor develops with the student mutually agreed-upon objectives. Evaluation based on accomplishment of these objectives. In addition, student must successfully defend a dissertation proposal according to program and Faculty of Graduate Studies guidelines.
Prerequisite: SPOL 681, SPOL 682.

SPOL 697. Research. 1-6 Units.

Credit for dissertation research. Total of 18 units required. May be repeated for credit.