Social Welfare and Social Work Intro

LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE

Lewiston Campus

SW 140

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work

Instructor: Suzanne Bushfield, MSW

Phone: (208) 792-2073

e-mail: sbushfie@lcsc.edu

Office: SPH 277

Office Hours: MTWTh 9:00-10:15 a.m.; TTH 1:30-2:45

Prerequisite: English 102

TEXT: Zastrow, Charles. (2000). Introduction to Social Work and Social

Welfare. (7^th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Course Description:

Social Work 140 explores the professional foundation of social work. It views historical and present day social welfare and social work in the United States as a response to societal problems and needs. It presents an ecological systems perspective for generalist social work practice . This framework has applicability to a variety of social work concerns and their contexts in diverse practice settings with diverse client populations, especially populations at risk. Ethical, political, social, and economic contexts are explored. This course is a co-prerequisite for SW 241, Social Work Generalist Practice and SW 340, Social Welfare Services and Policy.

Course Objectives:

1. Explore a framework for understanding and evaluating the social welfare system and the historical and current interventions used by that system to provide for diverse human needs.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the complexities of service delivery in the social welfare system and an understanding of individual fields of social work practice in that context.

3. Explore alternative approaches to social welfare problems and change, and critique them according to their congruence with the underlying values of the social work profession.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of the generalist approach to social work practice and identify the other conceptual frameworks which form the foundation of social work practice.

5. Define social work, the knowledge, skills, and values base which underlie practice, and describe social work’s unique purpose and goals.

6. Demonstrate knowledge of the influence of race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, and age on social work practice.

7. Describe the influence of historical, cultural, political, and economic factors in the processes of addressing social problems.

Introduction:

At its most basic level, social work looks at the inter-relatedness of “private troubles and public issues” (Mills, 1959). The intersection of private troubles and public issues not only establishes social work’s uniqueness among other helping professions, but also describes the basic context for its practice. Social work generalist practice builds on knowledge developed in other fields such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, biology, political science, and economics. The generalist practice model is viewed from an ecological systems perspective which looks at how individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities interact and influence one another in a pluralistic society to create private troubles and public issues. Critical analysis of issues concerning ethnicity, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and age establish the basis for social work’s unique perspective.

Course Assignments:

1. Personal Perspective. Due 9/07/00 (50 Points)

Based on the first few weeks of course material, lecture, readings, and a lifetime of living and self-knowledge, students will articulate a personal perspective on social work practice. This perspective should be approximately three type-written pages and will address the following content areas:

a) Human Nature (what is the nature of human beings? What determines this nature? Any examples?)

b) Individual Behavior (what shapes individual behavior? How does this occur? Any examples?)

c) The Family (what role or function does the family play? How does the family influence nature and behavior? How important is the family in shaping nature and behavior? Any examples?)

d) The Social System (Government, Politics, Culture, Economics)

(What affect does the social system have on individual and behavior? How influential is the social system in shaping nature and behavior? Are there any components of the social system that have more influencing power than others? Any examples?)

e) How does my perspective fit with what I know about the values of the social work profession (Social justice, equality, respect for diversity, self-determination, etc.)

2. Group Presentations and Portfolio: Due 11/28/00 (100 Points)

See additional handout sheet for this assignment.

3. Group Presentation Critiques/Questions: Due 11/28-12/7 (50 Points)

At the time of each group presentation, an evaluation form will be provided for you to critique the presentation and suggest appropriate questions which are based on the materials presented.

4. Personal Perspective Revisited: Due 11/21/00 (50 Points)

This paper is a continuation of assignment #1. Students will revisit their earlier written personal perspective, critique it, and provide comments about areas of growth throughout the semester. Identify what has changed, what has not changed, and summarize your learning about the social work profession. Pay particular attention to your understanding of social justice, ethics, diversity, and the social work values you have learned. How have your views on human nature, individual behavior, the family, and the social system changed? How does your perspective fit with the unique social work perspective you have learned about? This typed paper should be approximately three to five pages in length.

5. Quizzes: 9/12/00, 10/12/00, 11/16/00 (100 Points each)

There will be three quizzes which will cover the material from class lectures, discussion, and reading assignments. They will be short answer/multiple choice and/or very brief essays.

Determination of Course Grades:

Personal Perspective 50 points

Group Presentation/Portfolio 100 points

Group Presentation Critiques 50 points

Personal Perspective II 50 points

Quizzes 300 points

TOTAL 550 points

495-550 A

440-494 B

385-439 C

330-384 D

<330 F

Note: Assignments are due on the date listed; late assignments will lose points. Class attendance will assist students in keeping current with materials presented and any changes or additions to the course schedule. Group assignments will be made by the sixth week of classes. Time will be allotted during class for group work.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Course Outline and Reading Assignments

8/24 Introduction to course, review of syllabus; understanding Social Welfare as an institution; relationship to other institutions.

Zastrow, Ch. 1

8/29-31 History of social welfare; social work as a profession and career; foundations/goals of practice.

Zastrow, Ch. 2

9/5-7 Social Work ethics; generalist practice model. Video: Faces of Social Work.

Zastrow, Ch. 3

Personal Perspective Due SEPTEMBER 7

SEPTEMBER 12: QUIZ, Chapters 1,2,3

9/12-14 Poverty and Public Welfare .

Zastrow, Ch. 4

9/19-9/21 Poverty, Continued

9/26-28 Services to families; Emotional Problems Video: Everybody’s Kids.

Zastrow, Ch. 5, 6

10/03-05 Sexual Orientation, and Sexism.

Zastrow, Ch. 7 and 13.

10/10-12 Racism, ethnocentrism, social justice, economic justice.

Zastrow, Ch. 12

OCTOBER 12: QUIZ Chapters 4, 5,6,7,12, 13

Group Project planning: October 17, 19

10/24-10/26 Work Related Problems; social work in the workplace. .

Zastrow, Ch. 11

10/31-11/2 Aging and Gerontological services;

Zastrow, Ch. 14

11/7-9 Overpopulation; Misuse of Environment. Video: Ethics at Work

Zastrow, Ch. 17

11/14 Health Problems and medical social services.

Zastrow, Ch. 15.

11/16: QUIZ: Chapters 11, 14, 15, 17

11/21: Personal Perspective Revisited DUE

11/21: GROUP PLANNING SESSION

THANKSGIVING BREAK: 11/22-26

11/28-12/7 Group Presentations, portfolios due, group critiques

SW 140: Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work

FIELDS OF PRACTICE GROUP ASSIGNMENT AND PORTFOLIO

Due: November 28

1. Each group (3-4 students) will present information on one of the practice fields (Child Welfare, Health, Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, Rehabilitation/Disabilities, Aging, Emergency/Crisis Services, Drug/Alcohol, Education/Schools)

2. Groups will meet together for three planning sessions during class time. (See syllabus)

3. Each group will have 1 hour to present their information, allowing an additional 10-15 minutes for discussion.

4. You will be required to cover the following areas in your presentation:

a) historical perspective (when was the field first defined, who are the key figures, has the definition of the problem changed over time?)

b) differing political perspectives on this problem area (what is the nature of the problem from different perspectives, what is the dominant view in the US at this time?)

c) current issues and trends (what are the relevant issues in the field, what trends appear likely in the future?)

d) practice implications for social workers (what are the common roles of the social worker in this field of practice, what are the most common practice settings/agencies, what practice methods are used most by social workers in this field?)

5. Follow task group format for the working of your group.

a) appoint a leader

b) appoint a minute taker

c) begin structuring the presentation

d) divide up tasks

6. Use instructor as an advisor or reference point as needed.

7. Presentation suggestions:

a) invite a guest to present no more than 20 minutes of your presentation (see me if you plan to do this)

b) select a film or video that illustrates some of the material (no more than 20 min.)

c) establish a panel discussion or debate, presenting opposing sides or perspectives about the field

d) divide up parts of the presentation

e) make it interesting! Use handouts, overheads, charts, etc.

f) devise an exercise or activity around a topic area in the field of practice

8. Portfolio requirements

this is an organized folder containing: typed minutes of your group’s meetings, including who attended, contributions of each member; at least three journal articles as references for your presentation; local and national news clippings or copies of articles pertaining to your field area; a list of local agencies and brochures for programs and services in this field area; a bibliography of your resources. PORTFOLIO IS TO BE TURNED IN ON THE DAY OF PRESENTATION

SW 140: Portfolio Presentation Evaluation Form Bushfield

Your Name________________________

Portfolio Topic Being Evaluated _______________________________________

Presenters: ________________________________________________________

How well did the group cover the following topics: (circle one)

1. Historical Perspective (Do you understand how this field and problem has changed over time?)

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

2. Political perspective (Do you understand the dominant view in the US at this time regarding the problem/issues?)

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

3. Current issues and trends (Do you understand what the current issues are, and what is likely to happen in the future?)

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

4. Practice implications (Do you understand what social workers are doing in this field of practice?

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

5. What is one important thing you learned from this presentation?

6. What is one question you have about this field of practice that was not answered?

7. Please rate this presentation, on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being the best:

5 (Super; I learned a lot) 4 (Very Good) 3 (OK) 2 (Not so good) 1 (Help!)

EVALUATION OF FELLOW GROUP MEMBERS: Name______________________

Group Member I am evaluating: _______________________________

1. This person attended our planning sessions, and contributed appropriately.