Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
Class Location and Time
Class:
Classroom:
Day(s):
Time:
SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II ~ Section 2
TBA
Thursdays
6:00 p.m. – 9:25 p.m.
Class:
Classroom:
Day(s):
Time:
SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II ~ Section L18
TBA
Wednesdays
6:00 p.m. – 9:25 p.m.
Class:
Classroom:
Day(s):
Time:
SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II ~ Section X1
TBA
Tuesdays
6:00 p.m. – 9:25 p.m.
Instruction Information
Instructor:
Email:
Telephone:
Office:
Office Hours:
Jin Kim, PhD, JD
j-kim24@neiu.edu
(773) 442-4875
Lech Walesa Hall 3025
By appointment
Prerequisites
Prerequisites:
A grade of “C” or better in SWK 207 - Social Welfare Policy I; must be taken concurrently with SWK
305 – Social Work Practice II and SWK 306 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
Required Texts
Stone, D. (2011). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making, third edition. London and New York,
NY: WW Norton and Company.
Edin, K. and Kefalas, M. (2005). Promises I can keep: Why poor women put motherhood before
marriage. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Note: The bulk of readings will be assigned and made available on D2L.
Catalog Description
3 Credit Hours. Covers content on the rationales and goals for government intervention and provides an introduction to
the professional practice of policy analysis.
Course Description
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
This course is designed to prepare students to engage in the role of a policy practitioner and advocate as part of the
generalist practice model. It is specifically designed to strengthen students' recognition of social, political, and economic
forces that shape social welfare policy, how policy affects people’s lives, and ways to influence it. The course is devoted
to “policy practice”, i.e., using an understanding of the policy formulation and implementation processes to promote
social and economic justice on behalf of vulnerable populations. The course provides an introduction to the professional
practice of policy analysis, covering a number of fundamental issues such as the rationales, goals, and impacts of
government intervention. The course is also intended to improve basic skills in analytical thinking, information gathering,
and writing.
Courses Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to do the following:
Objective 1. Apply a theoretical framework to analyze various social welfare policies and programs:
Objective 2. Develop and refine skills in advocating for policies that foster social (i.e., distributive) justice and human
rights
Objective 3. Understand the interplay among political, economic, and social systems in the development of social welfare
policies and programs:
Objective 4. Become familiar with a broad range of the most sophisticated policy solutions aimed at addressing poverty
and inequality both domestically and internationally:
Objective 5. Develop and refine skills in methods of defining, measuring, and analyzing social problems: and
Objective 6. Develop a deeper, empathic awareness of contemporary policy issues facing today’s vulnerable populations.
Table 1. Policy Curriculum Map Aligning CSWE Competencies, Practice Behaviors, Courses, and Assignments
Competency
Practice Behavior
Course
Week(s)
Covered
Assignment(s) which demonstrates
competency
Competency 1:
Demonstrate
Ethical and
Professional
Behavior
1.2 Use reflection and selfregulation to manage personal
values and maintain
professionalism in practice
situations
1.3 Demonstrate professional
demeanor in behavior;
appearance; and oral, written, and
electronic
communication
1.4 Use technology ethically and
appropriately to facilitate practice
outcomes
Policy I
9
Policy II
14-15
Policy Analysis Project Presentation
Policy II
14-15
Policy Analysis Project Presentation
Application for Benefits Eligibility
Reflection Paper
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
Competency 2:
Engage Diversity
and Difference in
Practice
2.1 Apply and communicate
understanding of the importance
of diversity and difference in
shaping life experiences in
practice at the micro, mezzo, and
macro levels
2.2 Present themselves as learners
and engage clients and
constituencies as experts of their
own experiences
2.3 Apply self-awareness and selfregulation to manage the influence
of personal biases and values in
working with diverse clients and
constituencies
Policy I
9
Application for Benefits Eligibility
Reflection Paper
Policy I
9
Application for Benefits Eligibility
Reflection Paper
Policy I
9
Application for Benefits Eligibility
Reflection Paper
Competency 3:
Advance Human
Rights and Social,
Economic, and
Environmental
Justice
3.1 Apply their understanding of
social, economic, and
environmental justice to advocate
for human rights
at the individual and system levels
3.2 Engage in practices that
advance social, economic, and
environmental justice
Policy II
4
Letter to an Elected Official
Policy II
4
Letter to an Elected Official
Competency 4:
Engage in
Practice-Informed
Research and
Research-Informed
Practice
4.2 Apply critical thinking to
engage in critical analysis of
quantitative and qualitative
research methods and research
findings
4.3 Use and translate research
findings to inform and improve
practice, policy, and service
delivery
5.1 Identify social policy at the
local, state, and federal level that
impacts well-being, service
delivery, and access to social
services
5.2 Assess how social welfare and
economic policies impact the
delivery of and access to social
services
5.3 Apply critical thinking to
analyze, formulate, and advocate
for policies that advance human
rights and social, economic, and
environmental justice
8.3 Use inter-professional
collaboration as appropriate to
achieve beneficial practice
outcomes
8.4 Negotiate, mediate, and
Policy I
4
Annotated Bibliography
Policy I
4
Annotated Bibliography
Policy II
16
Policy Analysis Project - Paper
Policy II
16
Policy Analysis Project - Paper
Policy II
16
Policy Analysis Project - Paper
Policy I
16
Group Policy Project - Paper
Policy II
4
Letter to an Elected Official
Competency 5:
Engage in Policy
Practice
Competency 8:
Intervene with
Individuals,
Families, Groups,
Organizations, and
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
Communities
advocate with and on behalf of
clients and constituencies
Student Conduct and Responsibilities
Attendance. Punctual and regular attendance is required. After 1 absence, the instructor reserves the right to
reduce your final grade by five (5) percentage points for each subsequent absence and/or request a behavioral contract.
Being late to class 2 times will count as 1 absence. Additionally, phones and other electronic devices must be turned off
or placed on silent during class. Stepping out of class to make/receive phone calls or texting while the class is in session
is unacceptable, and each incidence of engaging in such behavior will count as one absence.
Class participation. Students are expected to actively contribute to class discussion. Active participation
requires that students respond respectfully to others, be prepared for classroom discussion, and engage in group activities.
Students must also demonstrate professional demeanor. “Professional demeanor” means that students should conduct
themselves in a manner that is reasonably appropriate for a future professional in the field. In essence, students’ conduct
must show readiness to enter the field.
Submission of assignments. Papers and assignments must be uploaded to the appropriate D2L or TK20 dropbox
on the assigned due date. Your written work is expected to show thoroughness, clarity, specificity, and avoidance of
redundancy. This generally requires first writing, then reviewing/proofreading (by a trusted resource or the Writing Lab),
editing, and then rewriting. All papers (unless otherwise indicated by instructor) should be consistent with the Publication
manual of the American Psychological Association (6th Ed). Papers should be typed using standard fonts. Please number
your pages and use a header indicating your paper’s title (maximum: 50 characters). Grammar, spelling, syntax, and
organization are important and will be evaluated. You are highly encouraged to seek assistance on your papers by visiting
the Writing Lab in Lech Walesa Hall 2046 or by calling them at (773) 442-5480.
Late submissions. All assignments are due during the class session indicated on the syllabus. Assignments
turned in late without prior permission from the instructor will be graded down five (5) percentage points for each day that
the assignment is turned in late. Assignments over one week late will not be accepted and the student will receive a zero
for that assignment. Additionally, no assignments will be accepted and graded after the last class session of the term.
Technology. You are expected to keep abreast of course information through the regular use of your NEIU email
address and the course management system (i.e., Desire2Learn).
Academic Integrity Policy. By enrolling in this course, you are bound by the NEIU Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.neiu.edu/university-life/student-rights-and-responsibilities/student-code-conduct. You will be informed by
your instructor of any additional policy specific to your course regarding plagiarism, class disruptions, etc.
ADA Statement. Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To request accommodations,
students with special needs should make arrangements with the Student Disability Services (SDS) office, located on the
main campus in room D104. Contact SDS via (773) 442-4595 or http://www.neiu.edu/university-life/student-disabilityservices.
Campus Safety. Web links to Campus Safety: Emergency Procedures and Safety Information can be found on
NEIUport on the MyNEIU tab or as follows:
http://homepages.neiu.edu/~neiutemp/Emergency_Procedures/MainCampus/.
Components of Course Grade
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
1. Policy analysis project (40%)
 This is a semester-long project on a chosen topic (10-12 pages). The project provides an opportunity to apply the
concepts and craft skills introduced in the course. The final paper will count 15 percent towards your final grade.
 The presentation at the end of the semester on the project will count 15 percent towards your final grade.
 The problem statement will serve as the introduction to the final paper, and will count 10 percent towards your
final grade.
2. Two (2) exams (30%)
 Exams 1 and 2 will be administered in class at the end of the first and second units, respectively. Each of the
exams will consist of short answer and essay questions only.
3. Letter to an elected official (10%)
4. Edin and Kefalas reflection paper (5%)
5. Attendance and participation (15%)
 There will be three (3) pop quizzes each consisting of five multiple choice questions given throughout the
semester. The lowest of the three quiz scores will be dropped in calculating the final attendance and participation
grade.
Grading Scale





90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
<59
A
B
C
D
F
Course Assignments
1. Letter to an Elected Official
Students will choose a social work/social welfare related bill that is currently being discussed at the local, state or national
level. Students will then write to an elected official about that bill—either advocating for or against a vote. In writing this
paper, students will practice advocating for an issue; become more aware of present day social welfare, social work, and
social justice issues; become familiar with the various levels of government and the elected officials at each level; become
aware of different sides of an issue; increase their skills and ability to become an active citizen and advocate; and further
develop analytical and writing skills. The letter should be no longer than one page (single-spaced).
Section 2 – Due Thursday, June 11
Section L18 – Due Wednesday, June 10
Section X1 – Due Tuesday, June 9
2. Problem Statement
This assignment is designed to help students define and articulate the policy problem on which the policy analysis will be
based. Divide your memorandum into two distinct parts. In the first part provide a sketch of the context for your
problem. What is the problem that you are addressing? Next, discuss why a public policy solution is necessary. Is there a
market failure that the government needs to correct? Or is a policy solution necessary to ensure citizenship rights
(political, civil or social)? Any given policy problem could be framed in either way. It is up to you to decide what frame
is most persuasive to you. This should be no longer than 5 double spaced pages exclusive of references.
All Sections Due Sunday, July 5
3. Reflection Paper on the Edin and Kefalas Reading
Students will read the Edin and Kefalas book as assigned during the semester. The purpose of the assignment is for the
student to be able to understand the author’s main arguments and to reflect upon and critically analyze the arguments
thereto. In the first part of the paper, students will be asked to summarize the main themes from the assigned reading. In
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
the second part of the paper, students will be asked to provide their reflections (i.e., argumentative or otherwise) to the
theme(s) identified. References to class reading materials must be cited in APA style. The reaction paper must be typed
following the guidelines for APA style formatting, and be no more than two pages long exclusive of references.
Section 2 – Due Thursday, July 16
Section L18 – Due Wednesday, July 15
Section X1 – Due Tuesday, July 14
4. Final Paper
All Sections Due Sunday, August 2
Course Schedule
Unit I
Week 1 (5/17-5/23)
 Course Overview, Class Projects, and Ethics of Policy Analysis
Reading:
Chapter 3, Weimer, D.L. & Vining, A.R. (2011). Policy analysis. Boston, MA: Longman Press.
(Available on D2L)
Week 2 (5/24-5/30)
 What Role for the Policy Analyst?
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Chapters 1 and 2, Weimer, D.L. & Vining, A.R. (2011). Policy analysis. Boston, MA: Longman Press.
(Available on D2L)
Library research
Week 3 (5/31-6/6)
 The Economic Perspective
 Pareto Efficiency
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Chapters 1 – 3, Lewis, M.A. & Widerquist, K. (2002). Economics for social workers. New York, NY:
Columbia University Press. (Available on D2L)
Problem Set
Week 4 (6/7-6/13)
 Rationale for Public Policy Intervention - Market Failures
 Policy Goals: Equity and Efficiency
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Assignment:
Chapters 1 – 3, Stone, D. (2011). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making, third edition. New
York, NY: WW Norton and Company.
Review for Exam 1
Letter to an elected official is due
 Section 2 – Due Thursday, June 11
 Section L18 – Due Wednesday, June 10
 Section X1 – Due Tuesday, June 9
Week 5 (6/14-6/20)
 Exam 1
o Section 2 – Thursday, June 18
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus
o
o
Section L18 – Wednesday, June 17
Section X1 – Tuesday, June 16
Unit II
Week 6 (6/21-6/27)
 Alternative Policy Goals: Security and Liberty
 Defining and Framing the Policy Problem
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Chapters 4 and 5, Stone, D. (2011). Policy paradox: The art of political decision making, third edition.
New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.
Video and Discussion on How to Get Fat Without Really Trying
Week 7 (6/28-7/4) No class
 Family Structure, Childbearing, and Parental Employment: Implications for the Level and Trend in Poverty
 The Role of Family Policies in Antipoverty Policy
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Assignment:
1. Cancian, M. & Reed, D. (2009). Family structure, childbearing, and parental employment: Implications
for the level and trend in poverty. Focus, 26(2), 21-26. (Available on D2L)
2. Waldfogel, J. (2009). The role of family policies in antipoverty policy. Focus, 26(2), 50-55. (Available
on D2L)
TBD
Problem statement is due
 Sections 2 - Due Sunday, July 5
 Section L18 – Due Sunday, July 5
 Section X1 – Due Sunday, July 5
Week 8 (7/5-7/11)
 Challenging the Efficiency / Market Failure Framework
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Introduction and Chapters 1-3, Thaler, R. & Sunstein, C. (2009). Nudge: Improving decisions about
health, wealth, and happiness. London, England: Penguin Books. (Available on D2L)
Discussion of Goals Matrix
Week 9 (7/12-7/18)
 Promises I can keep: Why poor women put motherhood before marriage
Reading:
Lab Activity:
Assignment:
Edin, K. and Kefalas, M. (2005). Promises I can keep: Why poor women put motherhood before
marriage. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Discussion of Goals Matrix
Reflection paper is due
 Section 2 – Due Thursday, July 16
 Section L18 – Due Wednesday, July 15
 Section X1 – Due Tuesday, July 14
Week 10 (7/19-7/25)
 Exam 2
o Section 2 – Thursday, July 23
o Section L18 - Wednesday, July 22
o Section X1 – Tuesday, July 21
Week 11 (7/26-8/1)
Northeastern Illinois University/Social Work Program/SWK-357 Social Welfare Policy II/Summer 2020
College of Arts & Sciences Syllabus


Class Presentations
Final paper is due at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 2