SW 260 Introduction to Social Work

 

Steven D. Hay, MSW,  Ph.D.

 

 

Course Description:

This course introduces Social Welfare as a social institution and the emergence of Social Work as a profession with its various fields of practice.

           

Course Requirements:

Fulfill course objectives which relate to program objectives; this will be done by reading and studying the text book, successful completion of four exams on readings and class lecture, participation in class, completion of group project on a field of social work practice, successful completion of a paper on the underpinnings of the Social Work profession and its relationship

to social welfare and a field of social work practice.

 

Course Goals & Objectives:

1.  To acquaint the student with the profession of social work.

2.  Develop an appreciation for the historical underpinnings of the social work profession.  To introduce the social forces and dynamics that created the need for social welfare - history of social welfare.

3.  To examine some of the current philosophies and problems relating to social welfare services and delivery of social services.

4. To help the student to begin to develop social work knowledge, historically grounded purposes

fundamental skills and professional values and ethics, to introduce the *generalist practice model.

5.  To examine the various fields of professional social work practice.

Course relates to Social Work program objective 5 - to develop an appreciation for the historical underpinnings of the social work profession.  Goal: To develop social work knowledge, historically grounded purposes, fundamental skills and professional values and ethics (see page 5 of Benchmark document).

 

*Generalist practice in the BYU-Idaho Social Work program is characterized by:

(1) Entry level social work practice wherein the student has acquired core knowledge for social work practice; including development of knowledge and skill to engage in professional relationship, identifying issues, problems, resources, assessments, appropriate intervention, evaluation, and termination with diverse client systems (individual, family, group, organization, and community).

 

(2) Operation from a multidimensional perspective i.e. multiple theoretical perspectives, (systems theory, ecological theory) and a holistic foundation.

 

(3) Generalist practice is carried out using professional values/ethics, appreciation, sensitivity to human diversity, and the pursuit of social and economic justice.

 

 

 

Assignments:

The following chapters will be researched and presented to the class by committee work.  Select a subject you are interested in and would like to research.  You will then join others who share similar interests to form committees.  A thorough chapter outline, neatly typed on the chapter your committee researched, should be submitted to the instructor the day your committee makes its presentation to the class.  Your presentation will be due the date your chapter is scheduled on the class schedule.  A paper is due on the field of practice you chose to research.  (See papers section)  You may want to go to actual social service agencies to obtain some information.

Chapter   5:  Responses to Human Diversity

Chapter   6:  Religion and social work

Chapter   7:  Poverty   

Chapter   8:  Poverty- Nature and Causes

Chapter   9:  Poverty - Development of Ant-Poverty Programs

Chapter 10:  Family and Child Welfare Services

Chapter 11:  Correctional Services

Chapter 12:  Social Work in Health Care

Chapter 13:  Mental Health Social Work

                     Social Work in Business and Industry

Chapter 14:  Housing and Homelessness/Community Development

Chapter 15:  Services for Aged

 

A multi-media approach to teaching is used.  Students are expected to read assignments and participate in class discussions.  There will be group work and/or lecture-discussion led by the instructor.  Guest speakers in social work practice may discuss and answer questions about various social work services which they are employed in.

 

Examinations will be on material covered in readings and lecture / discussions.  There are four exams including the final.  Tests will be multiple choice and/or short answer essay.  These exams will be graded on 100 point scale and assigned a letter grade using the BYU-Idaho grading system.  Quizzes will also be given periodically.

Paper: there will be a 3-5 page paper due on a field of social work including the history of the social work field and how it is related to social welfare.  The paper should emphasize social welfare and programs relative to the social work field.

There may also be class presentations (experiential) to illustrate and enhance social work knowledge, purposes, skills, and professional values and ethics.

Grades: grades will be computed by combining test scores, quizzes, written reports (history of social work, field of social work), participation and attendance.

Missing too many class periods may cause you to fail the course.

Those learning to be professionals should display responsibility to do quality work.

 

References:

Axinn, J., & Levin, H. (1997).  Social welfare: a history of the American response to need.  White Plains, New York: Longman.

 

Day, Phyllis J. (2003).  A New History of Social Welfare (fourth edition) Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

 

Farley, William O.; Smith, Larry Loreenzo; Boyle, Scott W. (2000).  Introduction to Social Work (eighth edition) Needham Heights, MA; Allyn & Bacon.

 

Popple, Philip R., & Leighninger, Leslie. (2005).  Social Work, Social Welfare, and American            Society (sixth edition) Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.  (Text)

 

Segal, Elizabeth A.; Gerdes, Karen E.; Steiner, Sue. (2004).  Social Work An Introduction to the Profession. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

 

Stroup, Herbert. (1986). Social Welfare Pioneers Chicago: Nelson-Hall Inc.

 

Trattner, Walter, I. (1989).  From Poor Law to Welfare State  New York, N.Y.: Free Press