CAPITAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
Course outline for Sociology 235: Introduction to Social Welfare 

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Credits: 3 credits 
Pre-requisite: Sociology 101, English 001,002 and 006 

Course Description
The historical, political, and economic influences in the development of social welfare policy locally and internationally will be examined. Curriculum will pay close attention to the policy making process, and appropriate professional roles for social workers. Students will explore the relationship of social work values to the formulation and evaluation of social welfare policies and services. An analysis of contemporary social welfare programs, public and private will be conducted. 

Course Content and Scope
The course is required for the social services degree program.  This course engages students in observational assignments and service learning activities that link theoretical to experiential learning. Students in this class must conduct 10 hours of service learning in the Greater Hartford area. The service learning activity will be arranged by the class instructor and social services degree program coordinator. 

Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able: 
1.	To view social welfare as an institution and social work as a profession and how it is presently shaped by the political, economic, social, religious and ideological responses to human need. 
2.	To begin to explore personal value system and how this relates to societal and professional values regarding specific social problems and issues. 
3.	To identify specific values and their similarity and differences social service professional values as these influence world views on social welfare as a social institution. 
4.	To possess a beginning knowledge of the components of the generic foundation of the social service profession. 
5.	To explain the impact of racism, claims, sexism, ageism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination upon social welfare policies and services and the populations served by social service professionals. 
6.	To apply critical thinking skills to explore, analyze, and evaluate issues, programs, and policies of the United States welfare system and compare to similar programs in other countries. 
7.	To possess general knowledge of a variety of social welfare programs available to service the needs of different client systems. 
8.	To understand the importance of cultural competence on social service delivery. 
9.	To identify major pieces of legislation that has created major impact in the way federal, state and local governments have approached provision of social services. 
10.	To demonstrate beginning professional skills by successfully completing 10 hours of service learning in a local social service agency. 

Course Content and Scope 
This course will be divided into four units: 

Unit 1: History of Social Welfare Policy
This unit examines contemporary views of government and the economic system, and general value systems and their relationship to social welfare. Students will learn about the history of social welfare policy in the United States. We will look at the definition of social welfare and critically analyze its function in contemporary society. This unit concludes with an examination of conservative, liberal and radical approaches to the management of the social welfare system. 

Unit 2: Social Work: A Response to Social Need 
This unit explores the social work profession. Students will be introduced to the concept of professionalism and the pursuit of professional status has meant for social work. The history of the professional is examined light of that pursuit. This unit also describes the effects of different political perspectives on the development of social work as well as the important topic of values, ethics, and ethical dilemmas in social work practice. 

Unit 3: Social Welfare Policy and Its Response to Poverty 
This unit deals with the topic of poverty as the central social welfare problem. We will examine the complex topic of measuring and defining poverty, the poverty population in the United States, major theories of the causes of poverty, and the historical presentation of the development of antipoverty programs. 

Unit 4: Social Welfare and Services 
The remainder of this class will be devoted to a comprehensive discussion of major areas of social welfare. These include child welfare, crime and delinquency, mental health and developmental disability. Each of these special topic chapters relates varying political perspectives to theory and practice in particular areas. 

Required Textbooks
National Association of Social Workers. (2001). NASW standards for cultural competence in social work practice. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Social Workers. 

National Association of Social Worker. (1996). NASW code of ethics. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Social Workers. 

Popple, Phillip and Leslie Leighninger. (2002). Social Work, Social Welfare and American Society (5/E). Boston, Mass.: Allyn & Bacon. 

Methods of Instruction
This is a highly interactive course using lecture, film, library research, computer technology, internet, class presentations, as well as small group discussions. Students are responsible for reading chapters and related assigned materials prior to class. Thoughtful, relevant student participation in class is an important aspect of the class and it is part of the final course grade. 

Additional Information 
Students who have special needs or who have a disability should self-identify with an academic counselor and faculty teaching the course. 

Attendance and Class Participation 
Students are expected to attend all classes. Students are allowed to miss 2 class sessions. If a student misses more than 2 class sessions, the student should expect a variable grade reduction of 5 points from the final grade. Individuals missing more than 3 classes will automatically be withdrawn from the class. Students must come to class prepared and ready to participate in all class activities. If a student is going to be absent she/he must call the instructor or send an email message. 

Required Work and Methods of Grading/Evaluation
Urban Chicago Experience/Hull House Project 			10 points 
Service Learning/Agency Analysis				20 points 
Internet Journal Assignment 					10 points 
Mid Term Exam 						20 points 
Final Exam 							20 points 
Report on Novel 						15 points 
Uploading Information on E-Portofolio			  	  5 points 
					Total 		          100 points 

Assignment Number 1/Meets Learning Objectives: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9.
Urban Experience in Chicago: Hull House and its neighborhoods, 1889-1963 

Visit: htt://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/hull_house.html and take a journey back in time to learn about one of social work history’s most celebrated women, Jane Addams. 

Steps: 

1.	Under “Hull House Highlights” click on “urban Experience in Chicago Educational Website”, and click on “Enter”. 
2.	Read the “Introduction”. Then, click on “Historical Narrative” and then “Review by chapter”. 
3.	You will be assigned to read one of the following chapters: “Beginnings of Settlement Life in Chicago: 1886-1912”, “Social Settlement as Contested Space”, or “Constructing the Hull House Complex”. 
4.	Read the contents of the assigned Chapter and at least two chapters related stories (highlighted) which are informative and of substance. 
5.	Write your own four page narrative of your experience visiting the “Urban Experience in Chicago: Educational Web site” and what you learned. How does what you learned help you with understanding the people served in the Hull House neighborhood and social work as a profession? How does this assignment relate to Chapter 3 “Social Welfare Policies and the Birth of the Profession: Historical Highlights”. A reference page is required. 
6.	You will be asked to talk about what your learned as a part of a class discussion on this time period in social work history. 

Assignment Number 2-Report On Novel 
Meets Learning Objectives: 1,2,4,5,7,8
The purpose of this paper is for students to write a report on a novel of choice. The novels chosen by the Social Services Degree Program faculty address a myriad of issues and themes related to social service practice. Students will prepare a 5 page doubled-spaced typed summary report adhering to the outline below. If you plan to cite reference you are to use APA style. 

I.	Introduction: In this section students will provide a brief summary of the novel. This part of your paper should not be more than two paragraphs in length. 

II.	Systematic Approach: Students will consider how the individuals in the novels interact with their families, groups and organizations, communities and cultural group. Identify how social conflict, oppression, violence and/or poverty affect their relationships.  Then describe how these relationships also provide members with identity, strength, resilience, and support. How do their families, groups and communities help these individuals overcome oppression? 

III.	Cultural Competence Approach: How do the individuals in these novels draw from their cultural heritage as sources of support, identity and strength? Consider cultural resources such as language, cultural traditions, family structures, and values. Consider reviewing the NASW Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice. Identify and quote standards that serve to guide in serving the population discussed in your novel. 

IV.	Developmental Approach: Describe how life experiences and developmental tasks have an affect on life chances. Students are to identify what types of biological, psychological and sociological developments are presented in the novel (e.g. life transitions, death and loss, coming of age, puberty to adolescence, disabilities, illness, and sexual identity). 

V.	Conclusion: Review the NASW Code of Ethics and identify what ethics and standards have you selected as important to further your learning as a social worker.  

List of Novels- 
Yellow Raft in Blue Waters-Louise Eldrich 

On Golden Mountain-Lisa See 

Ain’t no making It-Jay McCleod 

When I was A Puerto Rican-Esmeralda Santiago 

My Brother-Jamaica Kincaid 

Assignment Number 3-Service Learning Paper 
Meet Learning Objectives: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10
This assignment is to done in conjunction with 10 hours of service learning. Students will interview a social worker and/or administrator at their agency where they are conducting their service learning hours. The student must secure the name and title of the person interviewed as well as a letter testifying the completion of 10 hours of service (this letter must be typed on an agency letterhead). 

A.	Description: In your description include the name, phone number, address and title of the person interviewed and who supervised your 10 hours of service. Describe the physical layout of the agency. Explain the administrative structure of the agency, include an organizational chart and job descriptions of each unit or departments. 

B.	Background Information: Provide a historical background of the agency. When and where was the agency targeted? What event or policy helped in the development of the agency? What are the purpose, vision and mission of the agency? What are the major sources of funding?  Are these sources private or public? 

C.	Population and Eligibility: Who are the people (clients)? Who comes to the agency (gender, types of families, age, economic level, race, religion, or other factors)? What services are provided?  What are the eligibility requirements? 

D.	Needs of Special Populations: How are the needs of special populations and oppressed people served by your agency? 

E.	Role of the Social Worker in your agency: What do they do?  What are the social workers’ educational backgrounds? Do they carry caseloads? What additional training would they like to have (ask them)? If they are no social workers in your agency, how do you envision the role of a social worker in your agency? 

F.	Description of your role/job: Describe your service learning duties at the agency. Who did you have contact with (clients and staff)? Select a meaningful or salient experience you had in your agency. 

G.	Summary: How did the service learning experience enhance your interest in social work?  Include a concluding paragraph that summarizes this assignment and what you learned. Make sure you document all quotes from pamphlets or staff, ect. You must interview a staff member in order to complete this assignment. Include a reference page using APA style. This paper should be 5 pages in length, typed and doubled-spaced. 

Assignment Number 4: Internet Journal Assignment 
Meet Learning Objectives: 

The intent of this assignment is to help the student to: 
•	Learn about valuable resources important to social work practice. 
•	Understand the interrelation between systems levels such as local (town), state, national and/or international organizations. 
•	Explore areas of professional social work practice. 
All Internet Journals are to be typed and 5 pages in length. Appropriate citation format and reference page using APA style is required. 

A.	Hunger Near and Far 

Log onto the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) web page (www.cahs.org) to review. Click on “Hunger Programs” then click on “Anti-Hunger Web Links”. 

Visit the Bread for the World Institute and look for the “Hunger Report 2003 Release” and click on “Read the background paper” and read “Agriculture in the Global Economy: Hunger 2003. 

1. What did you learn about CAHS? 
2. What did you learn about hunger and the Hunger Programs in CT.? 
3. What did you learn about Bread for the World Institute? 
4. What did you learn about global hunger from reading “Agriculture in the Global
Economy: Hunger 2003”? 
5. What are the similarities and differences between those who are hungry locally and globally? 
6. Visit another “Anti-Hunger Web Link” from the CAHS web page and briefly write about what you learned. 

B.	Professional Practice Field 

1. Select practice field areas (except developmental disabilities) if not sure please ask your instructor. Engage in your own Internet research regarding the practice field area your have selected. See listing of site in each chapter of Popple or locate your own web sites. 

2. You must identity: 
a.	Local web site (town/city organization; private for profit or non-profit organization in CT. 
b.	State web site; related to practice setting. 
c.	International/global web site; also related to practice field area. 

3. You must describe and discuss each web site as well as the connections between each level (town/city, state and international). Connect your Internet research with a related practice field area in Popple (2003). How does the information provided on these web sites help you to be more informed about social welfare/social work practice? What did you learn? Be ready to share your information with the class. 

C.	Persons with Mental Retardation 
 
1. Log onto the ARC-www.thearc.org. 

2. What is the ARC and why does this organization exist? 

3. Place cursor on “About the ARC” and click on the “Position Statements” then on “List of Individual Statements” and read the Housing Position Statement. What did your learn, and what is the identified position regarding housing? 

4. Place cursor on “Locations” and find Marc, Inc. of Manchester, CT. Click on web site and then on “About MARC, Inc. of Manchester”. Find information about the historical timeline between 200 and 2002. Click on one of the highlighted areas and describe what your found. 

5. Find the link to the State of CT-DMR on this web page. Click on “Supports and Services Description”. What are the Residential Options (housing) available for persons with Mental Retardation? Select one other area of interest and describe what you learned. 

6. At the bottom of the “supports and services” page click on “Internet links”. In reviewing the list of links were you aware of the diversity of organizational connections related to MR? Is there an international link? Did you find yourself exploring links to expand your knowledge? If so, what were they? 

E-Portfolio: Students with guidance from instructor will upload all of their assignments to their e-portfolio. More information will discussed in class. 

Class Outline 

Unit 1: History of Social Welfare Policy

	Chapter 1	Competing Perspectives on Social Welfare 
	Chapter 2	Socical Welfare: Basic Concepts 

Unit 2: Social Work: A Response to Social Need 

	Chapter 3	Social Work as a Profession 
	Chapter 4	Generalist Social Work Practice 
	Chapter 5	Responses to Human Diversity 

Unit 3: Social Welfare Policy and Its Response to Poverty 
	
	Chapter 7	Poverty: The Central Concept 
	Chapter 8 	The Nature and Causes of Poverty 
	Chapter 9	The Development of Anti Poverty Programs 

Unit 4: Social Welfare and Services 

	Chapter 10	Child Welfare 
	Chapter 13	Mental Health and Developmental Disability 
	Chapter 15	Aging 
	Chapter 16	Developing Your Own Perspective on Social Welfare