SWK 110: History of Social Welfare

Course Description

This course examines the characteristics and history of social welfare and policies.  Students engage will in major social policies in its development and implementation.  Strategies for changing policies with a focus on social, environmental, and economic justice is emphasized. These strategies will reinforce to students their role as leaders and change agents within social welfare.  (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Understand what social welfare policy is and how social problems are conceptualized.
  2. Recognize how social policy may oppress, marginalize, and enhance privilege.
  3. Understand the origins of social policy and current events.
  4. Analyze and advocate for policies that advance social wellbeing.
  5. Critically evaluate policies and advocate policies that advance social wellbeing.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) / Competencies

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  5. Engage in Policy Practice
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Polling Discussion Boards (Weeks 1-8)

21%

Reflection Discussion Boards (Weeks 1-8)

21%

Chapter Video Activities (Weeks 1-8)

18%

Chapter Exercises (Weeks 1-8)

19%

Weekly Quizzes (Weeks 1- 8)

21%

Total

100%

 

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Cengage Unlimited - Access (12 months)
    • Vitalsource Rentals (2018)
  • The Social Work Program has partnered with Cengage to provide all e-texts, MindTap activities, and other resources through the Cengage Unlimited Subscription. All Social Work courses will use Cengage Unlimited and MindTap content activities. You will only need to purchase this product one time for theyear. Please do not purchase this product multiple times within a subscription year. In addition, this subscription allows students to rent textbooks through the Cengage website for $9.99 per book. Please refer to your course syllabus forthe required textbook information. Students will have access to all materials for their social work courses from the day of purchase. The subscription expires 365 days after students access and opens their first e-text link. Optional hardcopy textbook purchase can be independently. 
  • The textbook used for this course obtained through Cengage Unlimited is:
    • Jansson, B. (2019). Empowerment Series: The Reluctant Welfare State - with MindTap Access. 9th ed. ISBN-13: 9781337567060

Course Schedule

Week

PLOs

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1-5

1-5

Topics: Introduction to Class, Blackboard and Cengage MindTap & Making the American Welfare State More Humane-Past, Present, and Future

  • Read and Review
    • "How to Register for MindTap in Blackboard" (click on "Course Materials" in the left-hand menu)
    • Jansson, Chapters 1 and 2
  • Read and review the assigned materials
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 1 assignments:
    • Chapters 1 & 2 Video Activities
    • Chapters 1 & 2 Exercises
    • Week 1 Quiz

2

1-5

1-5

Topics: Fashioning a New Society in the Wilderness & Social Welfare Policy in the 19th Century: 1789-1902

  • Read and Review
    • Jansson, Chapters 3 and 4
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 2 assignments:
  • Chapters 3 & 4 Video Activities
  • Chapters 3 & 4 Exercises
  • Week 2 Quiz

3

1-5

1-5

Topics: Social Reform in the Progressive Era & Social Policy to Address the Worst Economic Catastrophe in U.S. History

  • Read and Review
    • Jansson, Chapters 5 & 6
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 3 assignments:
    • Chapters 5 & 6 Video Activities
    • Chapters 5 & 6 Exercises
    • Week 3 Quiz

4

1-5

1-5

Topics: The Era of Federal Social Services & The Paradoxical Era: 1968-1980

  • Read and Review
    • Jansson, Chapters 7 & 8
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 4 assignments:
    • Chapters 7 & 8 Video Activities
    • Chapters 7 & 8 Exercises
    • Week 4 Quiz

5

1-5

1-5

Topic: The Conservative Counterrevolution in the Era of Reagan and G.H.W. Bush & Reluctance Illustrated-Policy Uncertainty during the Presidency of Bill Clinton

  • Read and Review
    • Jansson, Chapters 9 & 10
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 5 assignments:
    • Chapters 9 & 10 Video Activities
    • Chapters 9 & 10 Exercises
    • Week 5 Quiz

6

1-5

1-5

Topics: George W. Bush’s Quest for Realignment & Would President Barak Obama Reverse the Cycle of History?

  • Read and Review
    • Jansson, Chapters 11 & 12
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 6 assignments:
    • Chapters 11 & 12 Video Activities
    • Chapters 11 & 12 Exercises
    • Week 6 Quiz

7

1-5

1-5

Topics: President Donald Trump & Why Has the American Welfare State Been Reluctant-And What Can We do about it?

  • Read and Review
    • Jansson, Chapters 13 & 14
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 7 assignments:
    • Chapters 13 & 14 Video Activities
    • Chapters 13 & 14 Exercises
    • Week 7 Quiz

8

1-5

1-5

Topics: Social Welfare: It’s Business, History and Future & Social Work as a Profession and Career & Generalist Social Work Practice

  • Read and Review
    • Zastrow, Chapters 1, 2, & 3
  • Read the assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete the Week 8 assignments:
    • Chapters 2 & 3 Video Activities
    • Chapters 1, 2 & 3 Exercises
    • Week 8 Quiz
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.