SOWK 741: Social Welfare Problems and Policies

Course Syllabus

I. Purpose/Rationale of the Course

This course provides foundation level graduate social work students with an introduction to social welfare problems and policies. It is essential that social workers at all practice levels understand the nature of social problems and the external influences which are fundamental to the creation and establishment of social welfare policies in the United States. Given social work’s emphasis on the person-in-the-environment, it is essential that social work practitioners understand the development of social policies through which various social systems and society as a whole attempt to manage, control, minimize, and eliminate social problems and their effects. Social workers also have professional responsibilities for the development and implementation of social welfare policies and program that are created in response to social problems.  Social workers must be capable of analyzing and influencing the development of social welfare policy.

II. Content of the Course

The initial focus of this course is to provide a historical overview of the development of social welfare policies and the profession of social work. The course is also designed to prepare students to systematically analyze social problems and to gain understanding of the social welfare system in the U.S. The legislative procedures of public policy making will be reviewed and the ways that policy issues are brought to the attention of decision makers will be emphasized. The role of discrimination, oppression and inequality in the establishment and implementation of social welfare policies and services will be discussed. The units covered in this course include: the historical development of social welfare policy and services and the development of the profession of social work, the nature and scope of social problems, the legislative procedures of public policy making, and a description of the organized social welfare system at the federal, state and local level. Emphasis is given to the social welfare policy issues of social and economic justice, diversity, populations at risk, and social work ethics and values. Particular attention is paid to the social problems of concern in this region including poverty, health care, and rural issues.

III. Course Objectives

A student who successfully completes this course will be able to:  

1.      Describe the history, nature, structure, and characteristics of the social welfare system and the profession of in the U.S.

2.      Identify the relationship between social welfare policies and social and economic justice as well as institutional forms of discrimination, oppression and social control.

3.      Systematically analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers and agencies on the federal, state and local level.

4.      Describe the legislative procedures of public policy making and examine the ways that policy issues are brought to the attention of decision makers.

5.      Identify and understand the relationship between social work practice and policy.

6.      Understand social problems as constructions of social realities and identify the various political, economic, cultural, and social processes that influence the definition of social problems and responses.

7.      Discuss the ethical and value commitments of the social work profession, particularly the commitments to the advancement of social and economic justice, which shape its involvement in the development and implementation of social welfare policy.

8.      Describe and evaluate recent developments in the social welfare policies of South Carolina and the region, particularly their impact on rural areas.

IV. Linkages to Other Courses

This course is taught during the first semester of the foundation year. It builds on knowledge of economic, political, and other social processes developed as a part of the liberal arts foundation. The knowledge developed in this course reciprocally builds upon and supports learning in the foundation year courses in Human Behavior in the Social Environment, as social policies both affect and are affected by human behavior at various system levels. It provides students with a framework for thinking about social problems and social policy responses to those problems, and thus provides a foundation for the second policy course as well as the advanced practice curriculum. An understanding of the impact of social problems and policies on their clients’ individual lives, as well as of some of the resources available to them, is particularly important for students in the concentration on Social Work Practice With Individuals, Families, and Groups. An understanding of the process of policy development and evaluation is central to the knowledge base of students in the concentration on Social Work Practice With Organizations and Communities.  Additionally, students are exposed to the effects of social policies in their field placements and students may be exposed to various aspects of policy practice.

 V.  Methods of Instruction

This course includes lectures and discussions, readings, guest speakers, videotapes and other audio-visual materials, and some opportunities for experiential learning.  Exposure to South Carolina agencies, officials, and social welfare programs is emphasized throughout the course.

Disability Status:

Any student who because of a disability may need special arrangements or accommodations to meet the requirements of this course should consult with the instructor as soon as possible. The office of Disability Services provides an array of services to meet the needs of students with disabilities, according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. See information and guidelines provided in the College’s student handbook and The Carolina Community: Student Handbook and Policy Guide.