STATE PORTLAND UNIVERSITY Graduate School of Social Work
SW 520 Kevin Corcoran
Course Description This course defines and describes social welfare and the policy making process. It examines historical and contemporary issues and their impact on the profession of social work and the institutions of social welfare. Emphasis is given to the development of policy analysis skills. The course highlights the relations among social problems, social policies, social programs, and social work practice. It addresses issues of social and economic justice and explores the values and ethical choices involved in various approaches to social work and social welfare policy. Learning Objectives: At the completion of the term, students will be able to: 1. Identify and analyze social welfare policy and services in the United States basedc on an understanding of social work's historical mission and philosophy of promoting social and economic justice. 2. Identify and apply policy frameworks for analyzing social welfare policies encountered by practitioners at multiple levels of social work practices/interventions. 3. Explain the relationship among social problems, social policies, social programs and social work though an examination of both historical and contemporary issues. 4. Describe and analyze patterns of oppression and the impacts on populations at risk both historically and currently, including the roles played by social work and social welfare policies. 5. Understand the interrelationship of social welfare policy and social work practice in the attainment of optimal individual and community health and well-being. 6. Explain how political, social and economic forces shape welfare policy formulation and influence both the social work profession and the delivery of social welfare services. 7. Apply a framework to analyze social welfare policy. Students with Disabilities PSU and the School of Social Work are committed to providing accommodations for students who have disabilities in order to equalize their ability to achieve success in academic classes and to ensure physical access to student activities or university-sponsored events. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides academic accommodation for students in both classroom and testing situations and coordinates registration for students with disabilities. The DRC is located in Room 435 Smith Memorial Center and can be reached at 725-4150 and through TTY at 7256504. Students with disabilities should contact the DRC by the third week of class. A staff member from Disability Resource Center will specify in a letter the accommodations that will be required for this class. The Writing Center in Cramer Hall can provide assistance with writing skills (Room 188F, 503.725.3570, [e-mail]; www.writingcenter.pdx.edu).
Populations at Risk Readings, lectures, class discussions and assignments include content on populations at risk, including racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Populations at risk are those who are intentionally or unintentionally discriminated against because of one or more attributes or status that are not valued by dominant society. Vulnerable persons are at increased risk of social isolation and economic disadvantage and its consequences because of the pervasive effects of structural inequality and lack of access to power. Diverse populations, including persons color of and ethnic diversity, and populations that are vulnerable due to poverty, age, gender, ability and sexual orientation will be represented in class readings and discussions. Academic Honesty and Integrity All work submitted in this course must be your own, and it must be produced specifically for this course. (If you wish to incorporate some of your prior work into a course assignment, you must have the prior approval of your instructor.) All sources used in your work (ideas, quotes, paraphrases, etc.) must be properly acknowledged and documented. Violations of academic honesty will be taken seriously. Consequences may include failure in the course and suspension from your academic program. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the academic honesty and integrity guidelines found in the current student handbook and online. Access to instructor Office: 401S Office hours: 12-1 Monday & 4:00 to 5:00 Tuesday Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone] (email preferred)
Instructional Methods This class is based on the formats of lecture, group work and discussions, and videos. Attendance Class room attendance is required. Evaluation Mid-term (20%) The mid-term is optional Final exam (40%) If one opts out of taking the mid-term, the final is 60% A 5-page paper apply EBP to the field placement or employment (30%) OR A 5-page paper arguing a debate position from one the chapters in the textbook. Attendance: It is required (10%)
Books DiNitto, D. Social policy and policy analysis. NY: Prentice Hall. Trattner, W. From poor laws to welfare state. NY: Free Press. Oskinsky, W. Worse than slavery. NY: Free Press. Karger, H. J. Midgley, J. & C. Brene' Brown. (eds). Controversial issues in social policy. Boston MA: Allyn & Bacon. Topics and Assigned Readings September 24 & 25: Overview and introduction to economic social welfare policy Video: The Stock Exchange (Study questions posted on webpage) October 1 & 2: Introduction to social welfare history: From Roman times to Digita...