CLASS DESCRIPTION
American social welfare policy has shaped the nature of income maintenance,
health, education, employment and housing in the welfare state. Concepts of
equity, adequacy and efficiency as well as dignity and community are used to
evaluate the nature and structure of the redistribution of national, state
and local resources.
CLASS OBJECTIVES
REQUIRED TEXT
Karger, H. and Stoesz, D. (1998) American social welfare policy: A pluralist
approach. New York: Longman Publishing Group.
Simmonds, S. (1999) How to make a difference St Paul, MN: League of Women Voters
Class handouts and reserve readings will be required reading.
Also required is the regular reading of a newspaper. Please read a large city newspaper such as the Minneapolis Star Tribune or St. Paul Pioneer Press. The New York Times and Washington Post can be accessed through the internet. Bring articles of interest to class.
** Students are requested to obtain an e-mail account to facilitate
communication between members of the class (i.e. group work) and myself.
EXPECTATIONS:
Attendance/Class Participation
Attendance is required and will be taken, please be prompt. Participation
in class discussion is expected. Come to class prepared to discuss the
assigned reading and participate in class exercises. Professional behavior
in both class participation and assignments is expected.
Written Assignments
All written assignments are to be word-processed, double-spaced, and
grammatically correct. Misspelled words, typographical errors, and
grammatical errors will result in significantly lowered grades. All papers
will be due at the beginning of class on the date assigned, late papers are
discouraged.
Late assignments: With the exception of an official or emergency excuse,
grades of late assignments will be reduced by a point for each 24 hour
period late, with the initial penalty being assessed from the start of the
class meeting in which the assignment is due. If you are significantly late
or miss class on the day an assignment is due, you will be penalized twice:
for an absence and for a late assignment. If there are any questions,
please see the instructor before the assignment is due.
Academic honesty: You will be expected to write your own papers. The
principle of respect also demands that we give others credit for their work.
To do otherwise may either constitute cheating or plagiarism which are
serious violations of University rules. We will talk about how and when to
use sources in class and during office hours.
The Writing Center, located in Minne 340, offers WSU students free, individualized instruction in writing. You may visit the center on your own or on the recommendation of a teacher; you may "drop in," or you may sign up for a scheduled appointment; you may seek assistance with any aspect of your writing for any class or purpose. A schedule and sign-up sheet is posted on the Writing Center door each quarter. Call x5505 or e-mail "wcenter@winona.edu" for appointments and information.
Special Circumstances: If you have a disability or need extra help please see the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Student Academic Portfolio: Students should develop an academic portfolio and consider this course and community activities in its development. The final policy analysis research paper from this class should be written with this use in mind. Students are also encouraged to become active members of the Student Association of Social Workers (SASW). Information about the Social Work program, the profession, and contacts with colleagues will be invaluable to you as you pursue your work.
Assignments: There are a total of 8 assignments for this course. Each assignment is weighted as indicated and will contribute to a final grade which will be based on 100 possible points. Up to 10 additional points can be earned through additional activities throughout the course. It will be possible to raise your grade one full letter grade.
"A" Work
The student has perfect attendance, is prepared for every class and shows
interest in the subject. The student contributes to class, but knows that
excellent participation requires a balance between listening and talking.
The student asks interesting questions and makes thoughtful comments. The
student takes responsibility for their education by claiming--not
receiving--knowledge.
Grading Scale:
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59 E
Assignments are organized into group and individual assignments. Detailed instructions will be provided so expectations are clear. Do not hesitate to ask for clarification and repeat instructions. The goal of these assignments is to prepare you adequately for work as a competent social work professional, not to reward or punish performance. Students will assume a great deal of responsibility for their learning in this course.
Group project:
A. Presentation (dates TBA) 10 points
B. Outline with citations 20 points
Individual work:
C. Newspaper article analysis 10 points (5 points each)
(due 1/26 & 2/4) )
D. Annotated Bibliography (due 3/30) 5 points
E. Exams- take home (due 3/2 & 4/20)- 40 points (20 points each)
F. Final - 10 points
G. Class Participation/Attendance 5 points
100 points
Additional activities (worth up to 2 points per activity/maximum 5 activities can be handed in). Examples are:
Activities must be written up and handed in no later than May 11, 1999. If you have any questions about whether your activities will qualify for additional credit, please talk to me. The paper should not be a summary of the activity, but a reflection of what happened or was discussed. Answer these questions: What did you think of the event? What policies were being discussed? (It is crucial that you be able to determine what the policy was.) What is your opinion on the issue? How does this affect you as a social worker?
Group Project Overview
Groups will thoroughly explore one social welfare policy of their choice.
This effort will involve researching the policy, providing an historical
perspective, analysis of the policy from the perspective of the social
welfare system, the social work profession, and the individuals affected by
the policy. Students should be prepared to talk with legislative offices,
key community professionals and affected community members.
It must be noted that other assignments should be used to develop the group
project. Through exploration of the newspaper and other current events,
topics for the project can be developed based on your interests. The
annotated bibliography should be directed at research to be used in the
group project. The group will do a presentation to the class on the topic
and the impact of the policy. All group topics will be approved by the
instructor.
Instead of a full paper, each group must develop one outline of their topic complete with APA in text citations and bibliography. The outline will be based on the Karger policy analysis framework. This information should be included in the class presentation. The outline handed in should not be of your presentation but of the policy analysis. Make this a quality work which you will be able to include in your professional portfolio.
Newspaper article/Current event
Students will complete a two page paper regarding a social policy issue
reported in current news reports. The source of the report may vary but you
must cite it correctly. Summarize the policy in one paragraph. Relate the
policy issue to the mission and values of the social work profession, and
using the policy analysis questions outlined in Karger, provide a brief
analysis of the policy. Be prepared to discuss your article and present it
to the class. Please note the due dates. There are two times when a
newspaper article is due, with one presentation to the class.
Annotated Bibliography
Develop an annotated bibliography of three social work journal articles
that address your social welfare policy issue. The articles should be no
earlier than 1993. Use the American Psychological Association (APA) style
for citing literature. Keep in mind this literature review should be
directed towards your group project. If you are having difficulty finding
journal articles, see me for acceptable alternative sources.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
WEEK ONE:
1/12- Class Introduction- Why is policy important to social work?
1/14- Read Karger chpt. 1- Social Policy and the American Welfare State
WEEK TWO:
1/19- Read Handout- Whose Welfare? An Introduction by Betty Reid Mandell
1/21- Read Karger chpt. 2- Social Welfare Policy Research- A Framework for
Policy Analysis
WEEK THREE:
1/26- Newspaper articles due- presentations
1/28- Read Karger chpt. 3- The Origins and Future of American Social Welfare
WEEK FOUR:
2/2- Karger chpt. 3 continued
2/4- Karger chpt. 9- The Making of Governmental Policy
WEEK FIVE:
2/9- Newspaper articles due- presentations
2/11- Read Simmonds, "How to Make a Difference"; Handout- MN State
Legislation
WEEK SIX:
2/16- Internet Class- Class Location- TBA
2/18- Read Karger chpt. 5- Poverty in America
(2/21-2/22 Women Come to the Capitol)
WEEK SEVEN:
2/23- Read Handout- "If We Could, We Would Be Someplace Else" from For
Crying Out Loud: Women's Poverty in the United States by Diane Dujon and Ann
Withorn Exam questions will be handed out.
2/25- Corporate Welfare Presentation
WEEK EIGHT:
3/2- Exam Due- Field Trip Prep
3/4- Field Trip- Social Work Day at the Capitol
3/8-3/19- SPRING BREAK
WEEK NINE:
3/23- Read Karger chpt. 4- Discrimination and Social Stigma in American
Society
3/25- Read Handout- "White Privilege" from Uprooting Racism by Paul Kivel
WEEK TEN:
3/30- Meet with instructor on class presentations; Annotated Bibliography
Due
4/1- Read Karger chpt. 10- Social Insurance Programs
WEEK ELEVEN:
4/6-Read Handouts- The Impact of Social Security Reform on Women by
Institute for Women's Policy Research and Government Benefit Programs Cut
Poverty Nearly in Half by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
4/8- Read Karger chpt. 11- Public Assistance Programs
WEEK TWELVE:
4/13- Read Handout- Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Act of
1996: Get Exam Questions
4/15- NO CLASSES- All University Assessment Day
WEEK THIRTEEN:
4/20- Exam Due
4/22- Read Handout- MN Family Investment Program- Statewide (MFIP-S)
WEEK FOURTEEN:
4/27- Class presentations & critique
4/29- Read Karger chpt. 15- Child Welfare Policy; Handout- Your Child's
Brain by Simon Begley
WEEK FIFTEEN:
5/4- Class presentations & critique
5/6- Read Karger chpt. 12- The American Health Care System; Handout- Letter
from a friend
WEEK SIXTEEN:
5/11- Class Presentations & critique Last day to hand in Additional
Activities
5/13- Class Evaluation & Critique; Get take home final questions
FINAL- Class will meet
11:00-12:20 class: Thursday 5/20- 1:00-3:00
12:30-1:50 class: Monday 5/17- 10:30-12:30