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University of Arkansas at Monticello
Department of Social Work
SWK 3143
Social Welfare Policy II
Course Dates, Time, and Location
Instructor Contact Information and office hours:
Office hours
Course Description
Policy analysis frameworks, policy advocacy and legislative advocacy are applied to social work
practice. Covers the implications of policy on social work practice, and the role of social work
practice in policy development.
Course Prerequisites
SWK 3043 Social Welfare Policy I
Course Introduction
This is the second course in the social welfare policy sequence, building upon Social Welfare
Policy I. The Council on Social Work Education indicates that social workers need to be aware
of the influence of policy on service delivery, and that social workers should actively engage in
policy practice. To this end, this course provides the social work knowledge, skills, and values
needed to engage in effective, evidence-based policy practice. Tactics for policy change are
introduced. Specifically, students learn to analyze and evaluate policy, advocate for policy
development or change, and become knowledgeable in a range of policy areas (health, mental
health, poverty and working poor, and immigration). A major focus is on the Social Security
Act.
Educational Objectives (Knowledge, skills and values student should acquire in this course).
Via readings, lectures, class discussions and exercises, debates, student presentations, written
assignments, role plays, and exams upon completion of this course, students should be able to do
the following:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of values in influencing the
development of social policy, especially as they relate to social and economic justice.
2. Explain how the allocation of societal resources to meet human needs is related to values
and power structures.
3. Understand the influence of diverse interest groups and power structures on the
formulation of social policies.
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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4. Analyze and evaluate a specific policy as it relates to a vulnerable or oppressed
population.
5. Explain how being policy-literate is related to being an effective generalist practitioner.
6. Describe various policies related to aging, health, mental health, labor, civil rights, child
welfare, and poverty.
7. Give an in-depth explanation of Social Security.
8. Examine how their personal values influence their views of policies for particular
populations.
Course Materials
Required Texts:
Cummins, L.K., Byers, K.V., and Pedrick, L. (2011). Policy practice for social workers: New
Strategies for a new era (Updated ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
ISBN: 978-0-205-02244-1.
American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.
ISBN: 978-1-4338-0561-5
Ehrenreich, Barbara (2001). Nickel and Dimed: On (not) getting by in America. New York:
Henry Holt and Company. ISBN: 978-0-8050-6389-9.
Altman, Nancy J. (2005). The battle for social security: From FDR’s vision to Bush’s gamble.
Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 978-0-471-771172-2.
ALL articles posted on Blackboard.
Students should become familiar with http:/thomas.loc.gov
NOTE: ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED IN THIS COURSE MUST BE WRITTEN USING
THE APA WRITING MANUAL.
Optional Text:
Dornan and Dawe. The brief english handbook: A guide to writing.
Strunk and White (2000). The Elements of Style (4th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Pearson
Education Company.
This an excellent little book to help with the writing of any assignment.
NOTE: All assignments submitted in this course are to be written in strict accordance with the
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.).
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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Grading Information/Assignments
Grading Scale:
90 – 100 = A
80 – 89 = B
70 – 79 = C
60 – 69 = D
59 or Below = F
Point Values and Description for Assignments and Examinations:
1. Read the assigned chapters and be prepared to discuss them in each class. You may have
an unannounced quiz on the chapter, so it is important to stay current on the readings (10
points per quiz).
2. Do an analysis of a specific policy or bill using the format posted on Blackboard (100
points). Your topic must be approved by the instructor.
3. Present your policy to the class as if you were testifying at a congressional committee
(100 points). Presentation limited to 5 minutes.
4. Turn in a letter to the instructor addressed to your legislator in which you either support
or oppose a bill (50 points).
5. Read the Washington Post or New York Times online to stay abreast of important policy
issues in the news. Be prepared to discuss these issues in class. Write seven summaries
of these articles (10 points per summary). Turn in a copy of the article with your
summary.
6. Participate in class discussions. This is part of your professional performance, as is
attending class. Lecture notes will sometimes be from sources other than your textbook
so missing classes may be detrimental to your grade.
7. You will have 4 exams (100 points each) during the semester.
8. Attend legislative session in Little Rock as a class.
Course Policies
* Please feel free to stop the lecture at any time if we are proceeding too rapidly or if you want to
make comments or ask relevant questions. Education is a not a passive process, but rather
requires students to be active participants in that process.
* If you are having any difficulty with the course, please see the professor as soon as possible.
Please do not wait until the semester is almost over to address a problem, because it is frequently
too late at that point. I encourage you to avail yourselves of my office hours so that early on we
can address any difficulty you may experience.
* You are expected to be respectful of the professor or and your fellow students at all times.
This means, for example, not talking when someone else is speaking, and not having cell phones
on during class. You may use laptops to take notes, but if you are ever caught using your laptop
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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for any other purpose you will not be allowed to bring it to class again. There will be no warning
or second chances.
* You are expected to email the professor if you anticipate being absent. Make-up exams will be
given only with a doctor’s excuse. Any make-up exam will be given at the convenience of the
professor. If you miss class the day you are scheduled to present, you will be penalized 30
points from your final accumulation of points.
* You are responsible for any announcements made in class about course procedures or changes.
Please check Blackboard for any announcements made after the previous class. Please do NOT
call or email the professor to ask what you missed in class.
*Roll will be taken and your attendance may influence your final grade. If you have more than
three unexcused absences, you may be dropped from the class. Students are responsible for
knowing the UAM class attendance regulations (found on page 55 of the 2011-2013 catalogue.
* Students are expected to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics.
We will make every effort to keep to this schedule, but there may be spillover from one week to
the next.
Students with Disabilities
It is the policy of the University of Arkansas at Monticello to accommodate individuals with
disabilities pursuant to federal law and the University’s commitment to equal educational
opportunities. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any necessary
accommodations at the beginning of the course. Any student requiring accommodations should
contact the Office of Special Student Services located in Harris Hall, Room 121; Telephone: 870
460-1026; TDD: 870 460-1626; Fax: 870 460-1926;
E-mail: whitingm@uamont.edu.
For assistance on a College of Technology campus contact:
McGehee: Office of Special Student Services representative on campus;
Telephone: 870 222-5360; Fax 870 222-1105.
Crossett: Office of Special Student Services representative on campus;
Telephone: 870 364-6414; Fax 870 364-5707.
Student Conduct Statement
Students at the University of Arkansas at Monticello are expected to conduct themselves
appropriately, keeping in mind that they are subject to the laws of the community and standards
of society. The student must not conduct him/herself in a manner that disrupts the academic
community or breaches the freedom of other students to progress academically.
Academic dishonesty may include:
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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
Cheating: Students shall not give, receive, offer, or solicit information on examinations,
quizzes, etc. This includes but is not limited to the following classes of dishonesty: a)
copying from another student’s paper; b) use during the examination of prepared
materials, notes, or texts other than those specifically permitted by the instructor; c)
collaboration with another student during the examination; d) buying, selling, stealing,
soliciting, or transmitting an examination or any material purported to be the unreleased
contents of coming examinations or the use of any such material; and e) substituting for
another person during an examination or allowing such substitutions for oneself.

Collusion: Collusion is defined as obtaining from another party, without specific
approval in advance by the instructor, assistance in the production of work offered for
credit to the extent that the work reflects the ideas of the party consulted rather than those
of the person whose name in on the work submitted.

Duplicity: Duplicity is defined as offering for credit identical or substantially unchanged
work in two or more courses, without specific advanced approval of the instructors
involved.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as adopting and reproducing as one’s own, to
appropriate to one’s use, and to incorporate in one’s own work without acknowledgement
the ideas or passages from the writings or works of others.
For any instance of academic dishonesty that is discovered by the instructor, whether the
dishonesty is found to be cheating, collusion, duplicity, or plagiarism, the result for the student(s)
involved may include the student not receiving credit for her/his term paper, failure in the course,
or termination from the social work program.
In our mission to educate students, the UAM Social Work Department proudly
adheres to the values of our profession. Chief among these is a respect for and an
appreciation of diversity and support for all persons regardless of nationality, immigration
status, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, or gender. We
adhere to the values of social justice and nondiscrimination, which are at the core of the
social work profession.
Course Schedule
Week/Dates
Lecture Topics/Readings/Assignments
Week 1
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Introduction to purpose of course. Go over syllabus.
Discuss course policies, assignments and expectations.
Video of Policy Affects Practice: Students/Practitioners Affect Policy
Week 2
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Importance of policy practice to generalist social
work; history of policy practice, role of values.
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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Reading and other assignments: Chapters 1, 2, and 3 (Ritter) and NASW Code
of Ethics on values and ethics and Section 6 on policy practice. In-class
exercise on values.
In-class video of Women in American Life: 1880-1920. Immigration, New
Work and New Roles.
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.1.1 Advocate for client access to services.
2.1.2.1. Recognize and manage personal values in a way that allows
professional values to guide practice.
2.1.2.2 Make ethical decisions by applying standards of the NASW Code of
Ethics and apply international standards of ethics.
1st summary due.
Week 3
Lecture/Discussion Topic: The working poor and growing inequality in U.S.
Reading and other assignments: Nickel and Dimed
Handout on policymaking stages-chapter 4 (Ritter)
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.2.4 Apply ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions.
2.1.4.3 Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of
differences in similarities in shaping life experiences.
2.1.5.1 Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and
discrimination.
Policy topic due for analysis.
Week 4
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Labor unions, collective bargaining and how
powerful societal forces work against them.
Reading and other assignments: Fisher article on Blackboard (Selling the Snake
Oil), Alt-Labor article, and NLRB article. Chapter 5 (Ritter)
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.3.1 Distinguish, appraise and integrate multiple sources of knowledge,
including research-based knowledge and practice wisdom.
2.1.5.1 Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and
discrimination.
2nd summary due.
Week 5
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Health policy (Medicare, Medicaid, ACA).
Reading and other assignments: Chapter 6 (Ritter)
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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Practice Behaviors:
2.1.5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
2.1.5.3 Engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
2.1.8.1 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
1st exam on chapters 1-5, and all other readings.
Week 6
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Mental health policy.
Reading and other assignments: Chapter 7 (Ritter)
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
2.1.5.3 Engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
2.1.8.1 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
3rd summary due.
Week 7
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Civil rights.
Reading and other assignments: Chapter 8 (Ritter)
Video on New Americans.
Debate on marriage equality.
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.4.3 Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of
differences and similarities in shaping life experiences.
2.1.5.3 Engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
2.1.8.1 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
4th summary due.
Week 8
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Child welfare policy.
Reading and other assignment: Chapter 9 (Ritter)
Debate on adoption by same-sex couples
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
2.1.5.3 Engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
2.1.8.1 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
Exam on chapters 6, 7, 8 and other readings.
Week 9
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Aging policy. Social Security.
Reading and other assignments: Chapter 10 (Ritter). Altman book, pp. 1-171.
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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2.1.8.1 Analyze, formulate and advocate for policies that advance social wellbeing.
2.1.8.2 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
Week 10
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Social Security.
Reading or other assignments: Altman book, pp. 172-317.
Debate on end of life care.
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
2.1.8.1 Analyze, formulate and advocate for policies that advance social wellbeing.
2.1.8.2 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
Week 11
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Poverty and anti-poverty policies.
Reading or other assignments: http://www.live58.org/watch-the-film
Watch the above video at home before this class and write a reflection of at
least one page on your response to the video.
Video: The Line
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.2.4 Apply ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions.
2.1.4.1 Recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may
oppress, marginalize, alienate, or enhance privilege and power.
2.1.8.2 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
Exam on chapters 9, 10 and Altman book.
Week 12
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Using the judicial system to effect change.
Reading or other assignment: Chapter 11 (Ritter).
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice.
2.1.8.1 Analyze, formulate and advocate for policies that advance social wellbeing.
2.1.8.2 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
5th summary due.
Week 13
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Politics of economics.
Reading or other assignments: Chapter 12 (Ritter).
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)
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Practice Behaviors:
2.1.2.4 Apply ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions.
2.1.4.1 Recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may
oppress, marginalize, alienate, or enhance privilege and power.
2.1.8.1 Analyze, formulate and advocate for policies that advance social wellbeing.
6th summary due.
Letter to Congressman due.
Week 14
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Hot button topics going forward.
Reading or other assignments: Chapter 13 (Ritter).
Practice Behaviors:
2.1.9.1 Continuously discover, appraise and attend to changing locales,
populations, scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal
trends to provide relevant services.
Policy analysis papers due.
Week 15
Lecture/Discussion Topic: Catch up and course review. Begin student
presentations.
Practice Behaviors.
2.1.1.4 Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and
communication.
7th summary due.
Week 16
Reading/Discussion Topic: Student presentations (5 minutes each as if
testifying about bill/policy at legislative committee).
Reading or other assignments: (as needed)
Practice Behaviors.
2.1.1.4 Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance,a nd
communication.
Finals Week
Examination: Final on chapters 11, 12, and 13 will be held on
Important Dates:
(The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus throughout the semester if necessary.)