Instructor: Mr. John Moody
                Bradley Hall 125B
                Ph: 677-4876
                E-mail: moody@bradley.edu
Office Hour: M 8:00-10:00, T 8:00-9:00, Wed. 8:00-11:00
Class Schedule: Mon. Wed. and Fri. 10:00-10:50

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 Bradley University in an intercollegiate competition may be excused from class for a scheduled event if she/he discusses this with the instructor in advance and with the proper documentation. Students will be allowed to make up any work; however the student has the responsibility to arrange this with the instructor.

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 esponses.

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. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

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, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report) that
pertains to a social welfare issue or policy.

B. Agency interview: 50 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: Oct. 11, 2000

C. Final Paper: 50 points

Students will prepare a 5-7 page paper discussing a social welfare issue and policy responses to the societal problem. Further details with suggestions for inclusion in the paper will be provided in a separate handout. This paper will be expected to be a scholarly paper accessing and integrating empirical research from current sources cited to support the students discussion. Correct grammar and spelling will be expected and influence the grade.

D. Exams: 150 points

Three exams will be given throughout the semester with each worth 50 points. Dates for the exams are included in the following class schedule.

275-300 = A
250-275 = B
225-250 = C
200-225 = D

IV. Class Schedule

Week 1: The History of Social Welfare and Social Work

Reading assignment: Chapter 1 of text

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.

Jan.31, 2/2, 2/3

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.

2/7, 2/9, 2/12

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.

2/14, 2/16, 2/19

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.

2/21, 2/23, 2/26

EXAM I: Feb 28

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.

Guest speaker from New Leaf addictions treatment program for women to discuss treatment and policy responses to addictions

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.

3/2, 3/5, 3/7

Week 7: Crime and Juvenile Delinquency

Reading assignment: Chapter 9 of text

This section discusses an overview of crime in America, the juvenile and criminal justice systems and the policy response to crime in society.

3/9, 312, 3/14

Week 8: Social and Economic Justice Issues in The Education System

Reading assignments: Chapter 10 of text

On reserve: excerpts from Savage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol will be discussed to highlight the injustice, discrimination, and prejudice found in the educational system.

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.

3/16, 3/26, 3/28

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.

EXAM 2 3/30

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.

4/2, 4/4, 4/6

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.

4/9, 4/11

Social and Economic Justice Issues relating to Gerontology

Reading assignment: Chapter 14 of text

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.

4/13, 4/16, 4/18

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.

4/20, 4/23

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 ADA, are discussed as strategies for change which promote social and economic justice with this population at risk.

4/25, 4/27

Week 14: Issues of Environmental Concerns

Reading assignment: Chapter 17 of text

In class viewing of video Radium City which exposes one nearby community's 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.

4/30

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

5/2, 5/4

Exam III May 11 12:00-2:00 pm

Choose a social welfare issue and than select an agency that services this area. I can help with suggestions for agencies in Peoria.

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

You must write a 5-7 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