SW323K: Social Welfare Programs, Policies, and IssuesCourse DescriptionCourse ObjectivesTeaching MethodsRequired Textbooks & ReadingsCourse RequirementsClass PoliciesAssignment InstructionsCourse CalendarOnline Policy and Other SitesRecommended Readings1The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work SW323K: Social Welfare Programs, Policies, and Issues Course Number: SW 323K Instructor: Roxanne McKee, JD, MSSW Unique Number: 64315 Office Number: 3.122A Semester: Fall 2004 Contact Information: 347-1855 [email protected] Meeting Time/Place: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 – 12:30 SW 2.122 Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30 – 11:00 am or by appointment I. Course Description This course is designed to provide students with the ability to analyze contemporary social welfare policy issues and programs and to understand the relationship between social policy and social work practice. The course focuses on historical, economic, political, and other social conditions that continue to influence policy development in the United States. Specific social problems and policy areas discussed are those in which social workers play major roles in promoting individual and social well-being: poverty and economic inequality, child welfare, income maintenance (with a focus on social insurance and public assistance), health, issues related to aging, and international trends in social policy. Policy issues and programs are addressed as they affect major groups as well as vulnerable populations (e.g. people of color, people with disabilities, women and children, and the elderly) with a particular emphasis on social and economic justice. Students will learn to use policy analysis tools in order to understand how policy influences practice and develop tangible skills to influence and advocate for social welfare policies that promote social work values. Pre-requisites for this course include Government 310L and 312L (or their equivalents), an introductory economics course, and SW 310 (the first course in the policy sequence). II. Course Objectives By the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. Understand significant historical events and persons that influenced the field of social work and social welfare policy;22. Analyze the connections between the history and contemporary structures of social policy; 3. Understand the impact of economics, politics, and social values on the identification of social problems and policy formation in the United States and the ways that issues of diversity (such as culture, class, gender, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, and age) have been addressed; 4. Apply conceptual frameworks for analyzing the development of social welfare policy; 5. Define key concepts in social welfare policy (e.g. universal, residual, public assistance, social insurance, cash, in-kind benefits); 6. Understand the major policies that form the foundation of social welfare policy in the U.S.; 7. Apply relevant research frameworks for evaluating the effects of social welfare policy on national, state, and local populations and economically vulnerable sub-groups; 8. Analyze the impact of social welfare policy in terms of social and economic justice and the promotion of social work values; 9. Discuss trends in comparative international social policy; 10. Understand roles social workers play in the formation of social policy and the effects of social policies on social work practice; 11. Exercise policy advocacy skills at the legislative and organizational levels. III. Teaching Methods As professional advocates, social workers need to be able to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. To enhance the development of this skill, this course will require a high level of class participation by students. A variety of teaching methods will be used including weekly readings, instructor lectures, video presentations, small group discussions, and guest speakers on topics related to social welfare policy. I encourage you to collaborate with me in creating an exciting learning experience for all of us. IV. Required Textbooks & Readings DiNitto, D. (2003). Social welfare: Politics and public policy, (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Students will also be required to read one additional text from a list of optional books, as well as several articles provided by the instructor. V. Course Requirements Final grades for the course will be determined by the following: Class participation 10% (10 pts) Quizzes (4 total) 30% (30 pts) Book review 20% (20 pts) Policy analysis paper 40% (40 pts) Note: there will be no mid-term or final exam given in this course.3 Grading will be based on a total 100 percentage points accrued by the end of the course: 90-100 points A 80-89 points B 70-79 points C 60-69 points D Below 60 No pass Criteria for Evaluating Student Learning Class participation (10 points): All students begin with 10 points at the beginning of the semester. Students who miss more than two classes or who do not participate in discussions will lose 1 point per class (including portions of class). Quizzes (30 points or 10 points each): Students will be given four (4) quizzes throughout the semester. The quizzes will ask basic questions taken from the class lectures and readings, so it is important that students read each week's assigned readings before class. The quizzes will be objective in nature, and may consist of multiple choice, exact choice, true/false, fill in the blank, or short essay questions. Quizzes will be administered on a random basis and may be given at any time during the semester. Students will be allowed to drop the lowest grade they receive (total score will be based on the three best quiz scores). Consequently no make-up quizzes will be given because of illness or other emergency. Book review (20 points): Students will prepare a 5-6 page (double-spaced) book review on a book from the following list (you will be assigned a book based on your preferences by the third class day): 1. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by B. Ehrenreich. 2. Hands to Work: The Stories of Three Families Racing the Welfare Clock by L. Hancock 3. Rosa Lee: A Mother and Her Family in Urban America by L. Dash 4. Don't Worry--He Won't Get Far on Foot by H. Callahan 5. The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World is Still the Least Valued by A.