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SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY ANALYSIS
SWK42103
SPRING, 2008
BARBARA J. BOLEY, M.S.W., Ph. D.
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University of Rio Grande
Social Work Program
Spring, 2008
I.
II.
COURSE TITLE:
SWK 42103 Social Welfare Policy Analysis
Tuesday & Thursday
10:00-11:15 a.m.
Wood Hall Room 112
INSTRUCTOR:
Barbara J. Boley, Ph.D.
Office: 251 Wood Hall
Telephone: 245-7280
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Popple, P. and Leighninger, L. (2008). The Policy-Based Profession,
(4th edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Course Content:
An advanced course in social welfare philosophy analyzing the relationship between social problems, social
policy and social service. The seminar orientation challenges the spirit of political inquiry, evaluating one’s
personal style of macroscopic generalist practice. Independent research and peer review cultivate the healthy
tension of democratic debate.
Primary Content Focus: Social Welfare Policy and Services
Secondary Content Focus:
Prerequisites:
SWK 23103
SWK 24103
SWK 22103
III.
Generalist Methods-Macro
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Research
Social Work Practice
Social Welfare Institutions
Generalist Practice
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Course Procedure:
Using a seminar format, the course employs a textbook of primary sources, which provides the outline for course
content and inter-active activities for policy analysis. The instructor provides background, and seeks to establish
continuity from session to session. Students are expected to be active partners by being involved in class
discussion. Guest lecturers, U.S. News and World Report, in addition to other media will enhance our collective
effort to understand the legislative and policy making process. Regular attendance, completion of all assignments
when due, and voluntary class participation is expected of each student.
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IV.
Learning Objectives:
This course will prepare students to effectively utilize social policy as a generalized social worker. It will
incorporate an integrative approach to generalist social work practice, which emphasizes intervention on
individual, environmental and systemic levels.
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
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1. distinguish the elements of social welfare as policy outcomes
2. design proposals for influencing legislative and administrative policies
3. reproduce credible interpretations of social welfare policy
4. translate policy and administrative directives responsibly using models provided through supervision
5. articulate support and criticism in the delivery of social services
6. introduce policy modifications to promote effective and efficient problem-policy-program resolution
7. propose social and economic policy analysis to promote effective and humane operation of service delivery
systems
8. participate in humanizing the response pattern of the systems that provide people with resources and services
9 follow established procedures for interpreting, translating and modifying social services in the context of an
ecological systems approach
10.identify the structure of contemporary social service programs
11 evaluate program outcomes and practice effectiveness
12 develop critical appreciation and use of practice and program evaluation
V.
Course Requirements:
A.
READING ASSIGNMENTS: The readings for this course offer interpretations, perceptions, and
values that are often are odds with traditional policy analysis and may challenge your own world
view. It is important that you assess this material carefully and thoughtfully and bring questions
to the classroom for discussion. In doing so you create opportunities to improve your own and
other students’ understanding of the material. Therefore, it is critical that you read the
assignments before a class and be prepared to discuss the content during class.
Tuesdays will involve in-class review of text material and activities related to the text material.
Out of class assignments will be due on Thursdays as indicated in this syllabus. It is important to
note that the instructor is available via e mail to answer any questions that may arise outside of
the classroom or office hours.
B.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES:
1.
Conduct an in-person interview with one Ohio State Legislator (Senator or
Representative). In an essay (3-5 double-spaced pages maximum), report the
following: two specific policy issues with which the legislator is concerned or
involved, the position she/he has taken in relation to these issues and her/his rationale
for this stand, and the outcome objective the legislator intends to pursue regarding these
issues during the next legislative session. In conclusion, present your position on these
issues and a rationale for assuming these positions.
DUE DATE: March 10, 2008
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2.
Identify an issue, which is currently controversial at the federal level. Write a letter to
one of your congressional-people (select either a Senator or a Representative) lobbying
for or against the issue.
DUE DATE:
3.
4.
Rough draft – March 24, 2008
Mailing date –March 231, 2008
Attend a working session of the Gallipolis City Commission (date to be finalized).
Attend a legislative session of the State Senate or House of Representatives.
**To be affirmed by bringing back to class the following items.
a.
b.
c.
Legislative agenda for the day.
Draft of a Bill presented for vote.
One page opinion paper of the legislative session.
DUE DATE: Opinion Paper due on April 4, 2008 (Legislative session date to be
finalized prior to January 31st ).
C.
SOCIAL POLICY ANALYSIS: Write a paper (20 pages maximum) analyzing the
implementation of social policy by a community agency. Use the following outline for your
analysis. Cite sources in body of the text and include a References Cited page following APA
style. Also, use a Title page. This is a progressive paper, thus turn in Assignment
1 with Assignment 2 and Assignment 1 and 2 with Assignment 3 and so
forth. After Assignment 8 you will turn in the entire analysis.
********You need to use one of the following policies: TANF, the Adoptions and Safe
Families Act, the Older Americans Act, the American with Disabilities Act, Medicare, OR
Medicaid. Choose a policy that is especially applicable to your field placement or related to the
population that you’d like to work with in your practice.
Assignment 1: Select a policy area of interest to you and relevant to your future area of practice.
Turn in a two paragraph statement of the area along with a library search on the topic and a
citation of relevant public law. Due: January 15, 2008 (10 pts)
Assignment 2: Explain the theory of social and economic justice you will be using to analyze
policy making in the area. Be sure to address NASW values expressed in the Code of Ethics. 1-2
pages. Due; January 29, 2008 (20pts)
Assignment 3: Given your theory of social and economic justice how does the policy you are
analyzing contribute to health and well-being? How does it contribute or damage health and wellbeing? Who gains and who loses under current policy consideration? 1-2 pages. Due: February
5, 2008 (20pts)
Assignment 4: Select any model of policy analysis you like and explain the policy you are
analyzing. Be sure to address the historical context in which the policy arises and what has been
the history of solutions to the problem the policy purports to address. 2-4 pages. You may use the
policy analysis outline in your text on pages 37-39. Due:_February 21, 2008 (40pts)
Assignment 5: Using your model of policy analysis, identify the political and organizational
factors which have shaped your policy to date. What role, if any, has social work played in
shaping the policy?1-2 pages. Due: March 6, 2008. (20pts)
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Assignment 6: Explain the impact of current policy on populations at risk, especially populations
identified by gender, ethnicity, poverty, sexual orientation, age, and rural location. Be sure to
incorporate empirical evidence of the policy’s impact. 2-4 pages. Due: March 25, 2008.
(20pts)
Assignment 7: Explain how the policy you are analyzing affects and shapes social work practice.
How does it relate to an empowerment approach in a rural environment? 1-2 pages. Due: April
8, 2008. (30pts)
Assignment 8: Given the theory of social and economic justice you adopted and social work
ethics critique the policy you are analyzing and propose changes, defend your changes in term of
empirical arguments and social work values. 1-2 pages. Due:_April 17 , 2007 (40pts)
V.
Attendance and Late Work Policy
All absences are unexcused unless a written medical excuse is provided by the next attended class .
25 points will be deducted from total for the class for every unexcused absence exceeding 2.
Late work will not be accepted later than the next scheduled class period unless a written medical
excuse is provided. All late work will receive at least one letter grade deduction on assignment
unless a medical excuse is provided. Professor may grant exceptions as appropriate.
VI. Make-up Exam/Quiz Policy
Notify instructor within 24 hours of the exam/quiz regarding missing the exam/quiz. Exam/quiz
must be made up by the end of the day of next scheduled class period. If instructor is not notified
within 24 hours of exam/quiz- no make-up will be scheduled and the student will receive a zero for
that exam/quiz.
TWO EXAMS:
Mid-term Exam – Mar.813 2008
Final Exam – TBA
Grading and Evaluation:
REQUIREMENT
POINTS
1. Policy Analysis Paper
2. Attendance to legislative session
3. Paper on Legislative Session
4. Report on Legislative Interview & Issue
5. Lobbying letter
6. Creative Non-fiction Book Review
7. Class discussion/participation
8. Mid-term Exam
9. Final Exam
10.Profess. rubric (AVE.)
TOTAL POINTS
200
50
50
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
1000
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VI.
POINTS EARNED
FINAL GRADE
900-1000
800-899
700-799
600-699
0- 599
A
B
C
D
F
Availability: Your instructor is located in 251 Wood Hall and invites students to utilize her as a resource.
Office hours are posted as follows:
Mon.,Wed., & Fri.
Tue. & Tr.
9:30-10:30am
1:30-4:00 p.m.
***ADDITIONAL OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT
CAMPUS TELEPHONE: 245-7280
***PLEASE NOTE: THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT HAS A SECRETARY. To leave a
message call Ext. 7470.
VII.
ADA STATEMENT: If a student wishes to be identified as having a physical, mental, or
learning disability that may require accommodation, he/she must register with the Office of
Accessibility, located in the Department of health Services, prior to the end of the first week
of classes for each semester. These registered students must identify themselves to their
instructors and provide them with a copy of a letter from the Accessibility Office that
identifies appropriate accommodations at the first class meeting no later than the end of the
first week of classes for each semester.
Creative Non-Fiction Book Review
Each student will read one of the following books and write a review that presents a subjective
experience of a social welfare policy. The point of view reviewed and discussed will be the one of the
human being affected, the “emic” in anthropology. By “emic” is meant the way a person in a situation
views it from her/his own personal perspective. This is in contrast to the very objective outsider’s view of
the policy context, the “etic” in anthropological terms. By “etic” is meant a description of a situation
according to objective data and analysis regardless of how the people involved view the situation. For
example, a child attending an inner city public school may perceive the school as dangerous (the “emic”
perspective) even though the data on crime and violence indicates that the school is safer than the
suburban schools in the district (the “etic” perspective).
You are expected to identify various social welfare policy issues impacting the individual in your
book and the character’s response to those issues. During one class, you will be expected to lead a
discussion of your book. During this class you should explain how a social welfare policy affected your
subject, whether the effect was intentional or not. You should also make specific social welfare policy
recommendations based on your book.
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You are to submit a two or three page book review based on you reading of the book and you are
encouraged to note the distinction between a book report and a book review. Before beginning to write
your book review please read several examples from magazines and newspapers. The grade for this
assignment will be based on your written review and your oral skills demonstrated in the class discussion.
Book Choices
Gelles, Richard J. (1996) . The book of David: how preserving families can cost
children’s lives. New York: Basic Books.
Kotlowitz, Alex. (1991). There are no children here: The story of two boys growing
up in the other America. New York: Anchor Books.
Monroe, S. and Goldman, P. (1988). Brothers, black and poor: a true story of
courage and survival. New York: Morrow.
Assignment is Due: April 24, 2008
SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY ANALYSIS
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEKS 1,2 Chapter 1 -The Policy Based Profession
WEEK ---3
Chapter 2- Defining Social Welfare Policy
WEEKS---4 +5 Chapter 3- Social Welfare Policy Analysis:
Basic Concepts
WEEK---6-
Chapter 4 -Policy Analysis from a Historical
Perspective
WEEKS---7+8 Chapter 5 -Social/Economic Analysis
Movie “And the Band Played On”
*** Mid-term- Mar 13th
WEEK---9
Chapter 6 -Politics and Social Welfare Policy
WEEKS---10+11 Chapter 7- Welfare Reform
*** Lobby Letter Draft Due March 24
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***Legislative Interview Due March 8
(Note- Spring Break March 15-21)
WEEK---12 Chapter 8- Aging: Social Security as Entitlement
***Lobby letter mailing March 31
WEEK---13 Chapter 9- Mental Health: Managed Care
***Creative Non-fiction book review due April 24.
WEEK---14 Chapter 10- Substance abuse Policies
*** Opinion paper due- April 3- legislative session.
***Policy Analysis Paper Due April 17
WEEKS---15 Chapter 11 -Child Welfare: Family Preservation
WEEK---16 Chapter -12 Conclusion