Social Welfare Policy

Course Details

Course Number: SOWK 3943  Section Number: 201

Spring 2011

Location: Martin Hall

Classroom Number: 106

Days & Times:

Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

8:00 am - 8:50 am

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Francis J. Powell   
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Course Objectives

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1.   Examine social work values, ethics, and ethical dilemmas related to social policy.

2.   Investigate the history and current patterns of social welfare policy

3.  Assess the impact of social policy on levels of government, including local, state, and national issues.

4.  Evaluate current policies in areas such as child welfare, health, mental health, aging, and criminal justice.

5.  Investigate opportunities and strategies that address oppression and discrimination through social and economic justice.

6.  Evaluate the impact of social policies, programs and services on diverse population.

7.  The acquisition of beginning level skill in the analysis of social welfare policy.


Course Expectations

Instructional Methods:

  • Lecture presentations by the professor
  • Reading and research assignment (including regular review of the newspaper)
  • Writing assignments
  • Peer support and learning
  • Outside experiential/field experiences
  • Use of computer technology to complete policy research

 

In-Class Examination

 

            There will be three (4) in-class examinations worth 100 points each.  The exams will consist of essays, multiple choice, and true/false questions.  The content of the examinations will derive from class reading assignment and lectures.  Students will have the entire class time to complete the examinations.  Students arriving late will not receive additional time to complete the examinations.  It is recommended that you study in groups.

            Website Analysis

 

            This assignment will familiarize students with using the Internet for policy research.  Not all Internet sites are credible sources.  Visit a website that is connected with a particular field of practice you may be interested in.  Write a 2-page memorandum analyzing what you find at the site.  For additional ideas on relevant websites that are policy-based, you can consult www.statepolicy.org.  This is a website that is policy-focused, social work-based, and reputable.  The format for this analysis should include the following:

 

  • Website address
  • Sponsoring organization’s name.
  • Describe the site’s content (e.g., does it provide data, issue analyses, chat rooms, email interactivity, linkages to other websites). 
  • Summarize your analysis of the website.  Critically analyze the website content and discuss how it relates to social policy and the social work profession.
  • Analyze the social justice implications of levels of Internet access as it relates to your site.

 

POLICY DEBATES

 

Topics

 

            A group of two students will be assigned to argue for or against one of the following statements:

 

1.  Juveniles should be prosecuted as adults.

2.  Welfare reform has been a success.

3.  Social Security should be privatized.

4.  Poverty is a result of individual faults and characteristics.

5.  Can people work their way out of poverty?

6.  Is Affirmative Action Necessary?

7.  Can governmental policies improve race relations in America?

8.  The Death Penalty

9.  Does capital punishment deter crime?

10.  Should drugs be legalized?

11.  Should transracial adoptions be allowed?

12.  Should Gays and Lesbians be allowed to adopt?

13.  Should Abortion rights be an accepted Social-Work value?

14.  Is Capitalism a Christian value?

 

Debate Process Guide

 

  1. Flip a coin to see who will present first.

 

1.  The first team will present their position (10 minutes).

 2.  The second team will present their position (10 minutes).

3.  The first team will respond to the position of the second team (3 minutes).

 4.  The second team will respond to the position of the first team (3 minutes).

 5.  There will be two questions from the audience (both team members must respond individually to one of the questions and there is a 3-minute time limit on each response).

 6.  The first team will summarize their points (3 minutes).

 7.  The second team will summarize their points (3 minutes).

 

If one of the team members is absent, the single team member will present alone.  The absent member will not be able to make up the presentation.  One grade will be given for the team.  Your grade will be based on the following: appearance, clarity of content, organization of presentation, integration of content, use of empirical evidence and current statistics, demonstrated knowledge of the topic, use of visual aids, diction and pronunciation, and opening and closing statements.

For more information on student debate in social policy, see the following article:

 

Keller, T.E., Whittaker, J.K., & Burke, T.K. (2001).  Student debates in policy courses: Promoting


Grading Standards

 

Grading Criteria

            A = 500 - 460      B = 459 - 420      C = 419 - 380     D = 379 - 340 


Submission Format Policy

 

  

   Management and Completion of Assignments.  Standards of presentations will be strictly enforced to foster the development of good academic and professional habits.  All papers and written work are to be completed on a computer.  Paper must be academically sound and presented professionally.  In addition to presentation and content, assignments must be submitted on time.

            Should you need assistance in developing stronger writing skills, two texts that can assist you is this area are as follows:

American Psychological Association.  (2001).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.).  Washington, DC: Author.

Szuchman, L.T., & Thomlison, B. (2000).  Writing with style: APA style for social work.  Belmont,



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

   To reinforce professional development, papers will be judge on clarity of writing, clear organization of ideas, ability to incorporate class readings and lectures, demonstration of additional research, and analysis of content.  All assignment should be written using APA Manual unless otherwise specified. All sources other than your own ideas must be documented in the paper and on the works cited (references) page.  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date.  Late assignment will not be accepted.  Habitual absenteeism will result in a failure for the course!


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

  Habitual absenteeism will result in a failure for the course!

CLASS PARTICIPATION:

 

            Students must participate in classroom discussions, in-class exercises, and other specified activities.  Passive participation does not carry the full weight of constructive participation.  It is not simply the quantity of participation but the quality of the participation that counts.  Lateness will detract from meeting this requirement.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.