Course Syllabus SW 530 Introductions to Social Welfare Policy and Services Fall 2007 Section 01 Tuesday 8 11 Section 06 Wednesday 9 noon Classroom SSWB 3752 Instructor Karen M Staller Ph D J D Office Office Hours 2702 Social Work Building Tuesday 11 15 12 15 or Wednesday 12 15 1 15 check first Or more importantly By Appointment Voicemail Email 734 763 5769 kstaller umich edu The moral test of a society is how it treats those in the dawn of life its children those in the twilight the elderly and those in the shadow of life the sick the needy and the handicapped Hubert Humphrey 1977 1 Course Description This course surveys the history of social welfare policy services and the social work profession It explores current social welfare issues in the context of their history and the underlying rationale and values that support different approaches 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 are 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 and research and social work relevant promotion prevention treatment and rehabilitation programs and services in relations to the diverse dimensions including ability age class color culture ethnicity family structure gender including gender identity and gender expression marital status national origin race religion or spirituality sex and sexual orientation SW 530 Social Welfare Policy and Services Karen M Staller Page 1 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 and workplaces the nonprofit sector the government at various geographic levels 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 and programs nationally and cross nationally with attention to the strengths and weaknesses of various policies and programs 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 protective services health and mental health corrections and criminal justice and education including those targeted toward promotion prevention treatment and rehabilitation community service programs 3 Course Objectives Upon completion of the course students will be able to 1 2 3 4 Describe the historical basis for the current U S social welfare system including the history and role of the social work profession 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 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 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 educational practices services to the elderly and corrections SW 530 Social Welfare Policy and Services Karen M Staller Page 2 5 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 Course Design It is anticipated that the multiple sections of this course will be coordinated and lectures assignments readings class exercises and examinations will be shared across instructors Various classroom teaching strategies may be used including lecture multimedia presentations video documentaries small and large group discussion and presentations by students and guest lecturers 5 Relationship of the Course to Four Curricular Themes Multiculturalism and Diversity The course examines how the diverse dimensions such as ability age class color culture ethnicity family structure gender including gender identity and gender expression marital status national origin race religion or spirituality sex and sexual orientation of individuals and groups influence their perspectives of and experiences with social welfare policies and practices 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 6 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 7 Intensive