Social Welfare and Policy – SOWK 325
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This course studies the historical and contemporary issues surrounding social welfare and policy in the U.S. Particular focus is placed on analyzing, formulating, and advocating for policies that advance social well-being.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
Social welfare and social policy impact individuals, families, and communities. Social workers interface with social welfare and policy on a regular basis. It is essential for social workers to understand the history and current structure of the policies and systems that impact society allowing them to advocate for justice and effectively collaborate with clients.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations, including websites.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 1 Discussion in this course. The student will post one thread. The student must then post two replies.
(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)
A variety of media sources address policy such as the press across broadcasting platforms including the television, internet, articles, audio, podcasts, and radio. Other sources of media may also find a path into policy reporting including, social media, reality television, docu-series or documentary films, and BitChute. The student will be responsible to submit a Presentation related to policy featured in a media source within the past 6 months.
The presentation should clearly identify the policy and include a title slide, maximum 6 content slides with APA citations for source(s) on each content slide, and a final reference slide. Minimum of 3 sources must be used in locating current content.
(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)
To develop a comprehensive understanding of policy, a policy analysis will be completed that combines current news coverage and current legislative policies. The identification of a current policy followed by an in-depth dive into the current legislation in Congress will give the student a research-informed foundation within a lens of selected theories and associated policy strategies.
The student will write a research-informed policy analysis paper in current APA format that focuses on analyzing the policy topic identified in the Latest Political News Coverage Presentation Assignment. Locate the policy topic on the Congress.gov website and identify a specific bill. The paper must include 5 new scholarly sources and NO MORE than 6 pages long in content (excluding title and reference pages).
The student will submit a draft and final analysis.
(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)
The Local Advocacy Action will engage the student in local advocacy initiatives based on the current news coverage and from a research-informed policy analysis position. Increasing advocacy surrounding social justice develops professional competency in helping marginalized populations.
(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)
Quizzes (8)
Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the module in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5 multiple-choice, true/false/matching questions, and will have no time limit.
(CLO A, B, C, D, E, F) (Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, Cognitive and Affective Processes)
