T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I C H I G A N SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK COURSE TITLE DIVISION NUMBER COURSE NUMBER CREDIT HOURS LOCATION SEMESTER INSTRUCTOR OFFICE PHONE VOICEMAIL E MAIL OFFICE HOURS COURSE WEBSITE Introduction to Social Welfare Policy and Services 790 SW 530 SECTION 007 3 PREREQUISITES None Foundation SWPS Course Fall 2002 Michael Reisch M S W Ph D 3849 School of Social Work Building 734 763 1540 mreisch umich edu Tuesday 2 00 4 00 p m Thursday 5 00 6 00 p m by appointment Accessible at http www coursetools ummu umich edu 1 Course Description This course surveys the history of social welfare and the social work profession a broad array of U S social welfare services and the evolution of social work values and ethics Emphasis is placed on major fields of social work service such as income maintenance health care mental health child welfare corrections and services to the elderly Analytic frameworks with regard to social welfare policies and services will be presented These frameworks identify strengths and weaknesses in the current social welfare system with respect to multiculturalism and diversity social justice and social change behavioral and social science theory research and social work relevant promotion prevention treatment and rehabilitation programs and services 2 Course Content There are four main content areas for the course 1 The philosophic and practical basis for social welfare provisions including consideration of the respective roles and relationships of the individual the family the community groups educational settings churches workplaces and the nonprofit sector the government at various geographic levels 530 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy and Services 2 2 The history of the social work profession from the altruistic philanthropist to the development of professional practice the emergence of distinct methods of practice in their historical context the influence of religious values ethics and social and political climates on the profession s development the emergence of specific policies and programs within their historical social and political contexts 3 A critical analysis of current social welfare policies procedures and programs nationally and cross nationally with attention to the strengths and weaknesses of various policies programs and procedures evolving population needs the ways in which current policies and programs address promotion prevention treatment and rehabilitation issues and social justice social change perspectives 4 Descriptions and analyses using recent social science theory research knowledge of major areas of social welfare provision and patterns of their delivery including but not limited to services for families children adolescents adults and the aging including income maintenance foster case protective services and school social work mental and physical health services including those targeted toward promotion prevention treatment and rehabilitation community service programs correctional services and criminal justice 3 Course Objectives Upon completion of the course students will be able to 1 Describe the historical basis for the current U S social welfare system including the history and role of the social work profession 2 Describe and critically analyze current social welfare policies procedures and programs including the role of behavioral and social science research and theory in their evolution 3 Discuss the strengths and limitations of the current social welfare system in terms of the functions of the provision of basic needs protection of the vulnerable prevention promotion treatment rehabilitation protection of society and provision of social control This discussion will incorporate state national and cross national analyses 4 Describe and critically analyze major fields of social welfare service provision from a multicultural perspective including but not limited to income security health and mental health services child welfare social work practice in school settings services to the elderly and corrections mr530 007f02 doc 9 19 97 Page 2 530 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy and Services 5 3 Discuss and critically analyze current debates trends and ethical issues in each specific field of service presented in the course including the implications for social work practice and promoting social justice and social change 4 Relationship of the Course to Four Curricular Themes Multiculturalism and Diversity Specific fields of service are critically analyzed from multicultural historical and or cross national perspectives Social Justice and Social Change The course critically analyzes current trends and ethical issues and their implications for promoting social justice and social change Promotion Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation The course gives attention to the ways in which current policies and programs address promotion prevention treatment and rehabilitation Behavioral and Social Science Research Analytic frameworks drawn from behavioral and social science literature and research are presented for each field of service 5 Relationship of the Course to Social Work Ethics and Values The historical overview in this course includes an analysis of the value base of the profession Ethical responsibilities of social workers within fields of service will be reviewed Differences among codes of ethics for several social work professional organizations will also be explored 6 Required Textbooks June Axinn and Mark Stern 2001 Social welfare A history of the American response to need 5th edition Needham Heights MA Allyn and Bacon Diane DiNitto 2000 Social welfare Politics and public policy 5th edition Boston Allyn and Bacon A coursepack of articles will be available for purchase at Excel Copy Center 1117 South University Avenue upstairs A copy of the coursepack and all recommended readings will be placed on reserve in the School library 7 Other Required Reading Watching Listening The New York Times or the Los Angeles Times Washington Post The Times is available online at http www nytimes com The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Monday Friday on PBS The NewsHour is online at http www pbs org newshour and or All Things Considered or Morning Edition on National Public Radio This can be accessed locally via WKAR FM 90 5 or WUOM FM 91 7 8 Recommended Media A local newspaper Ann Arbor News Detroit Free Press CNN News and Policy Discussions Evening Network News ABC CBS NBC West Wing Wednesdays 9 00 10 00 p m mr530 007f02