SW 250 Introduction to
Social Welfare
Fall 2002
Instructor: Mr.
Bradley Hall 121
Ph: 677-4786
E-mail: moody@bumail.bradley.edu
Office Hour:
Mon:
Fri- 8-10 a.m.or by appointment
Class Schedule: M-W-F 10:00 -10:50 a.m.
Accommodation: Any student with a disability or special need who requires accommodation Should inform the instructor at the beginning of this course
Non-discrimination Statement: Students will be expected to display respect of fellow students'
unique characteristics including race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national
origin, age, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual
orientation, and political orientation. All written assignments will use non-
discriminatory language.
Intercollegiate
Competition: Any student
representing
Relationship to other Courses in the Curriculum:This is an introductory course open to both social work and non-social work majors. It is designed to acquaint students with an overview of the issues and policies involved in social welfare and to assist students who are undecided in deciding whether to major in social work. For those students who continue as social work majors, the course is designed to provide a basic framework to understand social welfare issues and policies.
Generalist Practice Principles: This courses in the Social Work Curriculum are supported by the following 8 principles of the generalist social work perspective:
1. A systems approach provides the basic
framework for understanding the generalist practice
perspective and planning interventions with multiple systems.
2. Problems in living are presented from a
person-in-environment perspective, with focus on the transactions between individuals and the environment.
3. Assessments and interventions must
address both intrapsychic and environmental strengths and
stressors.
4. Generalist practice involves assessment
and interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
5. Practice is based on the problem
solving process and knowledge, skills, and values which are applicable across settings with diverse populations and
in a variety of problem areas.
6. Critical analysis of social problems is
inherent in generalist practice and results in both practice and policy responses.
7. Empirical research provides a solid
foundation for both education and practice and generalist
practitioners are expected to participate in practice evaluation activities.
8. Generalist practice often requires the
social worker to function in multiple roles depending on the
needs of the client system.
I. Course
Description:
This course will explore
the social welfare system including social problems and policy responses of society. This course explores the major social
problems, political ideology
influencing these problems, program and policy initiatives,
and philosophies of social welfare programs.
In addition to class lectures and assigned readings, learning methods
will include class discussion, small group activities, monitoring current
policy issues in the media, community agency contacts, and guest speakers
representing related fields of practice.
II. Course Objectives:
Students will be expected to demonstrate
learning in the following areas:
Knowledge
1.
Students will acquire a basic understanding of social problems affecting
individuals and families
within our society.
2. Students will acquire a basic
understanding of the etiology of social problems and societal responses that influence, exacerbate, or
remediate the problems.
3.
Students will acquire a basic understanding of the policy responses our
society has made to social
problems and be able to critically analyze the results.
4.
Students will acquire a basic understanding of the influence of
political ideology on social
policy responses both historically and currently.
5.
Students will acquire the ability to critically analyze the impact of
social stigma and
discrimination
associated with many social welfare issues
6.
Students will be able to identify the inherent values of society within
social welfare issues and
policy responses.
7.
Students will gain an appreciation for the complexity, synergism, and intercorrelation of
many social
welfare issues and thus be more able to analyze the effectiveness of policy
responses.
8.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of current theoretical
perspectives regarding
the social
welfare system and the implications for policy, legislation, and service
delivery.
9.
Students will acquire the knowledge of how some policies contribute to
economic and social injustice
in the manner of implementation.
10. Students will acquire the knowledge of
how to access the empirical literature to foster a value of being lifelong
learners.
Skills
1.
Students will demonstrate the ability to locate and identify appropriate
community agencies to address
particular problems in order to make effective referrals or take constructive community action.
2.
Students will demonstrate an awareness of multiple fields of practice in
the social services
and the
issues particular to each field.
3.
Students will demonstrate a beginning awareness of their own
intrapersonal and inter-
personal
attributes and values that may correlate with social work as a career choice.
Values
1.
Students will appreciate and respect the dignity and unique
characteristics of people of
all
socioeconomic status, ethnic background, religious beliefs, age, gender, sexual
orientation, and
political orientation.
2.
Students will appreciate the effects of discrimination of all forms on
social issues and
understand
the consequences of social and economic injustice to the lives of the
people experiencing the discrimination.
3.
Students will appreciate the complexity of social welfare issues and
understand the values
associated
with analysis of the issues and policy responses enacted.
4.
Students will be able to analyze social welfare issues in a
non-judgmental manner and be
able to
assess the strengths as well as limitations of people experiencing social
problems.
5.
Students will be able to appreciate and analyze the contextual nature of
all social welfare
issues and
therefore assess the person, problem, and policy responses in light of the
social
environment.
6.
Students will demonstrate an appreciation for professional ethics and
recognition of each
individual's
right to self-determination.
III. Resources:
A.
Required text: Zastrow, Charles. (2000). Introduction to Social Work
and Social Welfare.
B.
Additional articles relating to class topics will be assigned and on
reserve in the library.
IV. Learning Evaluation:
A.
Class Participation: 50 points
Preparation, attendance, and
participation will be required throughout this course. This
course is
a basic foundation to all future coursework in the study of social work and
human
services. Students will therefore be
expected to read the assignments prior to
class
attendance, participate in class discussion, and integrate learning from week
to
week,
thereby gaining a comprehensive understanding of social welfare issues.
Students are expected to be
concerned citizens of our society and must therefore be
aware of
social issues and policies that are currently emerging in society. Students will
actively
contribute to class by at least twice during the semester bring in an
article from a
newspaper
or news journal (Time,
pertains
to a social welfare issue or policy.
B.
Agency interview paper: 100
points
Students will choose a social
welfare issue or problem. Students will
then interview a
professional
from an agency that responds to this social issue or problem through services
and
programs. A brief 2-3 page report will
be written summarizing the impact of the
social
issues on clients and the agency service provided to respond to the problem.
This paper will include the impact
of national, state, and regional policies to the problem
and
delivery of services. Due Date:
C.
Exams: 300 points
Three exams will be given
throughout the semester with each worth 100 points. Dates for the exams are included in the
following class schedule.
400-
450 = A
350-
400 = B
300-
350 = C
300-350
= D
IV. Class Schedule
Week 1:
The History of Social Welfare and Social Work
Reading assignment: Chapter 1 of text
This section will begin with an
overview of the class and expectations.
The class will
examine the historical development of social welfare institutions and the social work profession
including its mission and philosophy.
Discussion will
examine the influence of political ideology and values on social welfare
policies. The class will
examine how social policy impacts on peoples' achievement of optimal health and well
being and the affect of policy on social work practice
August 28, 30 and Sept 2
Week 2:
Social and Economic Justice
Reading assignments: Chapter 4 of text
This section will examine
the impact of poverty on individuals and society and provide an
understanding of the consequences of economic injustice. This section
will
examine how vulnerable populations such as people of color, women, the
elderly,
and the disabled are disproportionately represented among the lower
socioeconomic
groups. This section will critically
analyze the historical policy
response
to poverty and discuss the effectiveness of the responses.
Sept. 4, 6, and 9
Week 3: The Mentally Ill as a Vulnerable
Population
Reading assignments: Chapter 5 of text
In class review: excerpts from movie Nuts and One
Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
will
be used to highlight the social context of mental illness and compare and
contrast the medical
model versus a social interactional model.
This section examines
policies and laws regarding mental health code, involuntary admission, voluntary
admission, etc.
This section
will overview mental illness, critically analyze the social context of
mental
illness in determining diagnosis and treatment, analyze the impact of social
and
economic injustice, discrimination and
oppression on people with mental illness, and
discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of current and past policy responses to
mental illness.
Sept. 11, 13, 16
Week 4: The Family in Society
Reading assignment: Chapter
6 of text
In class viewing of movie Home
is Where the Hurt Is regarding
domestic violence
and
child abuse
This section examines historical
trends in the institution of the family, issues related
to
families in society, and an examination of how our society's policy response
may
deter
or help in maintaining or achieving optimal health and well-being of
individuals within families.
Discussion will focus on child abuse, domestic violence, and divorce and how these
events impact on populations at risk such as women, children, and
people of color. The influence of social
and economic injustice, discrimination
and oppression will be examined as an influence on the family and its
functioning in American society.
Sept. 18, 20, 23
Week 5: Human Sexuality
Reading assignments: Chapter 7 of text
This section examines problems in society
regarding human sexuality including
sexual
assault, sexual abuse, incest, and child molestation. Discrimination and
oppression
of gay and lesbian populations is critically examined. Policy responses
are
evaluated
.
Sept.
25, 27,
and 30
EXAM I:
Oct. 2
Week 6: Addiction
Reading assignments: Chapter 8 of text
In class viewing of video Pieces
of Silence which discusses family processes in
family with
addiction. There may be a guest speak This section
overviews the
problem of drug alcohol addictions in the contemporary
society. This section will critically analyze
treatment approaches and examine
policy
responses to addictions and people who are addicted.
Oct. 4, 7, 9
Week 7: Crime and Juvenile
Delinquency
Reading assignment:
Chapter 9 of text
This section discusses an
overview of crime in
justice
systems and the policy response to crime in society.
Oct. 11, 16, 18
Week 8: Social and Economic Justice
Issues in The Education System
Reading assignments: Chapter 10 of text
This section will examine
the current American educational system with its inherent
prejudices’
and injustices to people of color and people of low socioeconomic
classes This section discusses a social
institution that is neither
humane or responsive to human needs and challenges students to become
active. Policy responses to educating our society's
youth and the impact on the "quality" of education will be
discussed.
Oct. 21, 23, 25,
Week 9:
Social and Economic Justice Issues in Employment
Reading assignments: Chapter 11 of text
This section will discuss
trends and changes in the labor force including current
challenges
of labor force transitions and the evaporization of
"blue collar jobs" and
the
human challenges of industrialization and technology. This section examines
the
impact of social and economic forces on individuals and social systems in
enhancing
or deterring the maintenance and achievement of optimal health and
well
being.
Oct. 28, 30, Nov.1
Exam II Nov. 4
Week
10: Issues of Diversity
Reading
assignments: Chapter 12 of text
On reserve: Chapter 1 from Ethnicity
and Family Therapy
by
McGoldrick, Giordano, and Pearce
In class viewing of video regarding
affirmative action in education and
employment
which discusses the historic need for affirmative action and
the
policy response to remediate for
discrimination, prejudice, and oppression of population at risk. This section examines issues of
ethnocentrism, institutional
racism, and differing experiences of cultural groups within
society. This section examines differences and similarities
in the experiences, beliefs, and needs of people of various diverse
backgrounds. Social and economic justice
issues are examined by
discussion of various policy responses that creates institutionalized
racism and
discussion will focus on how social institutions could be more humane and responsive to human need by
accepting all unique characteristics of diverse
populations.
Nov. 6, 8, 11
Week 11 Social and Economic Justice
Issues of Gender
Reading assignment: Chapter 13 of text
In class viewing of video
Stale Roles and Tight Buns to examine inherent gender
prejudice
and discrimination in media depicting male and female roles. This section examines
sexism, sexual harassment, and gender inequality and the resulting social and economic
injustice from the oppression of this population at risk. Discussion
will examine the policy responses of society and how social institutions could be more humane
and responsive to human needs.
( view this video on your own )
Nov. 13, 15, 18
Social and Economic
Justice Issues relating to Gerontology
Reading assignment: Chapter 14 of text
Possible guest speaker
from Senior Strength Agency to discuss issues of elder
abuse. This section examines ageism in society and
the social and
economic
discrimination, deprivation, and oppression of the elderly.
Social welfare
institutions and policies are examined in meeting the needs
of
this population at risk.
Nov. 20, 22,
Week 12: Gerontology Continued
Issues in the Social
Welfare Institution of Health Care
Reading assignment: Chapter 15 of text
This section examines the
impact of medical illness on the well being and
functioning
of individuals and families. This
section also examines how
past
and current trends in healthcare, the current healthcare
"non-system",
and
policies and programs have either enhanced or deterred the maintenance or
or
achievement of optimal health and well being of recipients of service.
Nov. 25, Dec. 2
Week 13:
Social and Economic Justice and Diversity Issues
of
People with Disabilities as a Population at Risk
Reading assignment: Chapter 16 of text
Experiential in class
exercises are used to increase sensitivity to experiencing life
with
a disability. This section examines the
impact on functioning, health and
well
being, and achieving human capacities with various developmental,
emotional, and physical disabilities.
Societal responses of discrimination, economic deprivation,
and oppression are examined. Policy
responses,
particularly
Dec 4
Week 14: Issues of Environmental
Concerns
Reading assignment:
Chapter 17 of text
In class viewing of
video
challenge
to rid itself of radioactive waste. This
section examines global problems
of overpopulation and concerns with pollution that deter societies from fostering an
environment that develops each person's capacity for health and well being.
This section emphasizes
the international interdependence of nations and the need
for
worldwide cooperation.
Dec. 6
Week 14: Ethical Considerations
Reading assignment: NASW Code
Discussion will review previous
topics in light of the code of ethics and mission
Of the profession of social
work
Dec. 9
Final Exam
SW 250 Introduction
to Social Welfare
Fall 2002
Agency Paper Due Oct. 4
Choose a social welfare
issue and than select an agency that services this area. I can help with suggestions for agencies in
You must interview staff
person from the agency and
obtain information about your issue?
You must include in your
paper the following:
How long has agency been
in existence providing service for this issue?
What is the issue?
How is it an issue?
Have services increased
or decreased regarding this issue over the time period that agency has been
providing the services?
How has community
responded to the agency providing the services?
Does agency staff
believe that the agency has done well in providing the services
Grading for the paper
will focus on:
How well paper is
organized?
Critical thinking that
is demonstrated?
How well paper is
written?
SW 250 SOCIAL WELFARE
Fall 2002
Social Welfare Final
Paper Due
You must write a 3-5
page typed double spaced paper discussing a social welfare issue.
You must choose five of
the below as guidelines for the content of your paper.
What is the social
welfare issue?
How does it impact on
the service delivered or on the client?
Should
the issue be addressed on a macro or micro level or both and why?
Is the issue residual or
institutional in nature? Why?
What are your
recommendations for resolving the issue?
Does your recommendation
involve changing budget, staff increases, changing environment, or staff
training? Why
Papers will be graded according
to:
How paper is organized?
How well it is written?
How well you support
your paper?
Critical and creative
thinking that is demonstrated in your paper