Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 505 — Social Welfare Policy and Programs I — Fall A 2018

Credits - 3

Description

The Policy I course examines social welfare policy and practice with a primary focus on the role professional Social Work plays in the development, implementation and evaluation of social welfare policy and the impact social welfare policy has on professional Social Work practice. This course provides an historical overview of social welfare policy and Social Work as a profession. Course content includes the values and ideologies that informed the evolution of Social Work and social welfare and the contradictions that have historically plagued them. The impact of social movements and political action on social welfare policy will be discussed, including policy advocacy and social protest. Social Work history will be explored from its 17th through19th century origins to its 20th and 21st century controversies. This course focuses on how systemic oppression and social justice emerge in social welfare policy and community settings. Professional Social Work ethics, which require social workers to engage in advocacy practice that promotes social justice, equity, and equality will be examined, as will the potential for the profession to be used as an agent of social control. Must be enrolled in one of the following: Master of Social Work, Non-Matriculated Social Work, Conditional Social Work.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Critique and discuss the dominant historical themes and ideologies that have shaped social policy development. This includes an analysis of how inequitable societal structures, political constraints and distribution of resources have defined social and economic classes in the United States resulting in the inclusion or exclusion of diverse populations and affecting their health and wellbeing. (Program Outcome #1) (As measured by the Policy Paper, Testimony Paper, Weekly Journal Entries and Discussion)
2. Analyze the historical development of the social work profession and the emergence of its value base as the foundation for its ethical standards and principles in the development of policy and policy advocacy practice. (Program Outcome #4) (As measured by Discussion and Reflective Journal Entries).
3. Apply evidence-based research to critically evaluate, develop and influence social policy development. This includes an analysis of how social welfare policies impact service delivery, social work practice and the attainment of individual and community well-being. (Program Objective #6) (As measured by the Policy Paper, Journal Entries and Course Discussion).
4. Assume roles and responsibilities in the policy process, including leadership, research, lobbying, and campaigning with the goal of promoting and advocating for social and economic justice through both organizational and social change. (Program Outcome #4) (As measured by the Testimony Paper, Policy Paper, and Discussions).

Assignments

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:

Readings and Multimedia:

Description: This course will use an array of readings from textbooks, journal articles, podcasts, Web-based materials, and videos to present the important concepts in the various modules. The readings and multimedia provide the foundation and background for discussion opportunities and assignments relevant to each module’s content.

Discussions:

Description: An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Please refer to Course Policies for late policy for discussions.

Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are listed with each specific discussion assignment. Please refer to the Learning Modules and Discussion Boards for more information. The course instructor will return assignments and other grading items (discussion boards, participation, etc.) to students within three days of the assignment due date. The course instructor will provide weekly feedback about participation and performance no later than four days after the learning module closes. Feedback can be via email, within the assignment itself, or using the Feedback column in the gradebook.

Writing Assignments, Projects, and Assessments:

Description: In this course, you will complete one academic paper, reflection journal entries, and a written testimony. The first is an analysis of a current social welfare policy issue. Throughout the modules, you will have certain goals and milestones to help you stay on target as you complete this paper. Next, you will submit a written testimony on this social policy issue. Similar to the social policy analysis paper, this also has recommended milestones to help you complete the script and the speech. The journal assignment will include three reflection entries and one self-evaluation. The reflections over 3 weeks will be the foundation for your final self-evaluation.

Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the course schedule.

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignments	Point Value	Percentage of Grade
Discussions	240 points (30 points each week)	24%
Analysis of Current Social Welfare Policy	400 points	40%
Testimony	200 points	20%
Journal	160 points (40 pts x 4 weeks)	16%
Total	1,000 points	100%

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00