PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
SOCIAL WELFARE SWK 2050
Class Hours: 3.0							Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0							Date Revised: Spring 05
This course is intended for transfer.
Catalog Course Description:
		An investigation of the social welfare institution's development, structure, and function.  Course focuses on social service delivery modes and the impact of political, economic, and social policies.
Entry Level Standards:
		Students must be able to read and write at college level.
Prerequisites:
		None
Corequisites:
		None
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
		Required Texts: Social Welfare: A Response to Human Need, most recent edition, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Inc., by Johnson, Louise C. and Schwartz, Charles L.  Supplemental readings will be assigned throughout the semester.  Small group assignments, student presentations, videos, and outside speakers will be utilized to supplement the text. Recommended Texts: Axinn, J. and Stern, M.J. Social Welfare: A History of the American Response to Need. latest edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon. American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. latest edition. Washington, DC.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
		Week				Topic
		1				Introduction Course objectives and assignments
		2				Defining social welfare Social Work values in social welfare Key terms
		3				The scope of social welfare Relationship of social work and social welfare Deficit and non-deficit perspectives in social welfare
		4				Structuring of services The change process in generalist practice The scope of social welfare Outgroups
		5				Diversity issues: racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, etc. Diversity self-assessment
		6				Who are the clients? Population at-risk Structure and operation of social services in the U.S. Relationship between policy and social services
		7				Who benefits from social welfare programs? At-risk groups Societal expectations of social workers Tennessee examples of public welfare agencies
		8				Historical analysis of social welfare: Colonial and Pre-Civil War periods
		9				Historical analysis of social welfare: Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Progressive Era
		10				Historical analysis of social welfare: The Great Depression and the New Deal
		11				Historical analysis of social welfare: War and prosperity Economic and social stagnation Welfare reform and beyond
		12				Who delivers social services and how are they credentialed? Examples of social welfare infrastructures in Tennessee Comparative social welfare: The Republic of Haiti
		13				In-Class Video “Welfare Reform: Wisconsin” and “Eyes on the Prize”
		14				Group Presentations
		15				Final Exam Period
II. Course Objectives*:
		A.			Understand and analyze the scope of the social welfare institution and its increasing importance in the social structure. III
		B.			Understand and analyze discrimination due to race, culture, gender, age, or physical or emotional abilities.  III
		C.			Understand and analyze the historical evolution of the social welfare institution in terms of society’s concern with the needs of people, poor as well as rich, urban as well as rural, minority as well as majority. II, III, IV
		D.			Understand and analyze the major social, cultural, political, and economic motivations which influenced and continue to influence the social welfare institution.  III, IV
		E.			Understand and analyze the idea that social values affect the social welfare system.  III
		F.			Understand and analyze social welfare programs in a rational, data-based approach.  III,VII
		G.			Understand and analyze the impact of organizational settings or workplaces on those delivering and receiving social services.  III
		H.			Understand and analyze the social welfare institution’s response or lack of response to current issues and problems.  III
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR’s general education goals.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
		1.			Use teamwork to accomplish in class group activities utilizing knowledge of course concepts.  Active Learning Strategy
		2.			Complete a project (oral presentation, media report, application paper, or vision volunteer), demonstrating their ability to apply course content . Communication Outcome, Social/Behavioral Sciences Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome,  Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
		3.			Use the World Wide Web and Pellissippi State library resources to access information for media reports, application papers, and oral presentations.  Technological Literacy Outcome
		4.			Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, and good manners. Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
		1.			Discuss current policies, attitudes, and programs in terms of past and current economic, political, religious, and social developments in social welfare. A
		2.			Discuss the emergence, growth and importance of the social welfare institution and the relationship with the social work profession. A, G, H
		3.			Differentiate between social welfare and public welfare. F, G, H
		4.			Discuss the meaning of “blaming the victim” and “creaming the poor” and how these concepts influence the social welfare institution. B
		5.			Identify and utilize a framework to critically analyze social welfare programs. C, H
		6.			Identify trends and drastic shifts in social welfare through the utilization of a historical investigation. C, D
		7.			List the attributes of a profession and a bureaucracy and discuss some of the problems faced by professionals in a bureaucratic environment. G
		8.			Discuss the importance of paraprofessionals and volunteers in the social welfare institution. G
		9.			Discuss social problems in terms of definition, contributing factors, interventive strategies and programs. D, H
		10.			Articulate what one needs to know and be able to do for effective professional practice within the social welfare institution. G, H
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
		A. Testing Procedures: 50% of grade
				There will be two examinations given: Midterm                25% Final Exam            25% No make-up examinations will be given.  Under extremely extenuating circumstances, resulting in an excused absence, a separate comprehensive final will be given.
		B. Laboratory Expectations:
			N/A
		C. Field Work: 25% of grade
			Paper 25% Identify a social problem and a social welfare/ non-profit agency that addresses the identified problem.  Via agency literature and an interview with a social service employee, identify the following:  Organization, person interviewed, and executive director organization's history and purpose (mission statement) Social problem and target population  Service delivery and service outcomes  Sources of funding  Staffing  Impact of recent social, economic, and public policy mandates  Paper must be minimum of 5 pages in length double spaced.
		D. Other Evaluation Methods:
			Class attendance and group presentations:  25 % Students are expected to attend all class sessions, and to prepare by completing the assigned readings.  A portion of the class time will include lectures and discussion to clarify and supplement text.  The remaining class time will include video tapes, role-play, small group discussion/presentations, and speakers.
		E. Grading Scale:
			A    92-100  B+    99-91  B      82-88  C+    79-81  C      72-78  D      65-71  F      Below 65
VI. Policies:
		A.  Attendance Policy
			Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.
	B.      Academic Dishonest:
			Academic misconduct committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices: Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign either (1) an F or zero for the assignment or (2) an F for the course.
	C. Accommodations for disabilities:
			If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.