San Jose State University

College of Social Work

  SW 120 Social Welfare Institutions and Policies I

CLASS:  ONLINE                                                                                          
(See: How to Register for an ONLINE COURSE)           

Catalog Description

Social Work as a profession, including mission, values and ethics.  Development and changes in the philosophy, legislative base and structures for social services as these affect social and economic justice and impact health and well being.  (3 Units)

Course Description

This course is a foundation course that examines of the general policies, conditions, legislative basis, institutions, and broad range of services relevant to contemporary social welfare.  Major areas covered are: income maintenance, civil rights, health, mental health, economic development, child welfare, services to the elderly and to the physical and developmentally disabled.  Each is view from a historical perspective and emphasis is given to social work value and ethics, diversity, economic and social justice, and populations-at-risk.

Learning Objectives

      A.       To gain an understanding of the growth and development of social welfare as                  it relates to culturally  racially diverse populations

 B.     To recognize current major social welfare programs and policies by  being able to identify and explain major social welfare programs and policies.  

C.      To develop the ability to analyze policy issues within the social welfare system, with a focus on social and economic justice

D.       To apply knowledge of resources to the study of social policy be being able to synthesize and integrate information about major social welfare programs and policies

E.       To recognize the issues and needs of special populations; namely, people of color, women, and gay and lesbian persons by being able to distinguish critical areas of concern in terms of social welfare

Learning Experiences

This is an entirely online course utilizing WebCt format.  The online course covers the same material as the on-campus course, and the student should anticipate devoting the same amount of time to the online course as a classroom course.  It helps to be a self-motivated, independent learner.  Shy students may find the opportunity to express themselves in a discussion board format an exceptional learning opportunity.  Distance Learning is just that, a course you can take from a distance.  You get to work independently, and you have the benefit of time flexibility.

Computer Requirements and Skills

 *Internet access at home    *Please do not use AOL (has had problems)  

*Microsoft Internet Explorer 5    *Netscape 4.7 (recommended over 6.0)

*Windows 98 or above   *An email account (can obtain free:  Yahoo)  

How to Register for an ONLINE COURSE

eCampus lets you take credit courses from San Jose State University's regular curriculum online.  Classes are open to college and university students, high school graduates and other adults from the community.  You do not have to be accepted to San Jose State University to attend the course.  You will have to meet any pre-requisites before registering for a specific course.  See the College catalog or contact eCampus.  Information regarding online courses offered and registration instructions can be found in the San Jose State University International and Extended Studies Bulletin.  

For more information on online courses call 408-924-2670, fax 408-924-2616, e-mail:  de@email.sjsu.edu, or visit www.online.sjsu.edu.

You will also find online courses listed in the SJSU Open University Bulletin and the regular
SJSU Course Schedule.  SJSU "regular" students will have a choice of taking a specific course online or in the classroom.

 WebCT

This course utilizes a WebCT format.  Please check in with me by email once you have registered for the class.  You will be notified via email with the login and password for accessing the course website.  You can then access the course with any computer that has Internet access and a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or Netscape 4.7.

Special Note

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangement in case the building must be evacuated, please make a special appointment with me as soon as possible, or seemed during office hours.

Required Textbooks

       DiNitto, Diana M. (2002) Social Welfare:  Politics and Public Policy.  (5^th ed.). Needham Heights, MA:  Allyn and Bacon.

       Jansson, Bruce S. (2001)  The Reluctant Welfare State. (4^th ed.).  Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Grading and Evaluation (100 point total)

  5                First Assignment:  Your first assignment is to use the course email to introduce yourself to me and other students.  Tell us a little about yourself, why you are interested in social work, and why you have chosen to take this course online.

15                Reaction Papers to Policy Issues.  3 reaction papers are required.  Each are worth 5 points.  For each, write a one page paper in response to a policy issue discussed in a newspaper article, the internet, or popular periodicals.  Your should present your reaction to, not a summary of, what you read.  Include an explanation of who is affected and how, some ideas about the proponent’s arguments, and some ideas about the opponents arguments.  Focus on a policy area of interest to you (e.g., poverty, homelessness, etc.).  DUE:  September 12^th, October 3^rd, and November 7^th

20                Mid-Term Exam.  The multiple choice and true-false test, with 20 questions will be online on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18^th, from12:15pm to 1pm.

40                Policy Paper.  The Policy Paper Is due on November 20th and can be   dropped off at the College of Social Work.  If you mail the PAPER it    should be postmarked on or before November 20^th.  You will need to do library research on one of the following social welfare policy issues:  (1) Medi-care, (2) Medic-Aid, (3) Social Security, (4) Supplemental Security Income, (5) Lesbian and Gay Rights, (6) Child Welfare Policy, (7) Mental Health Policy, (8) Health Care policy [public and/or private health care insurance], (9) Affirmative Action [Civil Rights Act of 1964; CRA 1991], (10) Public Policy regarding those with Disabilities [Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 1996], or (11) Equal Rights for Women [The Violence Against Women Act of1998; Education Amendments (Title 9 and Title 20); Civil Rights Act].  The paper should include the following types of information:  *An overview of the history of this policy issue *History of legislation addressing this issue *Explain who is affected by the current policies and how *Identify and explain the PROPONENTS’ arguments, the strengths of those arguments and limitations of their arguments *Identify and explain the OPPONENTS’ arguments, the strengths of those arguments and the limitations of their arguments *Use no less than five reference sources.  Your PAPER should be NO MORE than ten pages of narrative; it must be in APA format; you must cite your references and your references must be listed at the end of your paper in a Reference section.  ASSIGNMENTS THAT ARE TURNED IN LATE WILL LOSE A POINT FOR EVERY DAY THEY ARE LATE.

20                Final Exam.  The Final Exam will be held on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th, 12:15 to 1pm.  The Exam will consist of 20 multiple choice and true-false questions.

Grading system:  The final semester grade will be determined as follows:

A+=98-100; A=93-97; A-=90-92; B+=87-89; B=83-86; B-=80-82; C+=77-79; C=73-76; C-=70-72; D+=67-69; D=63-66; D-=60-62; F=0-59.

Course Outline:  A Summary

This web page is under the supervision of Michael Anderson, College of Social Work.  He can be reached at manders8@email.sjsu.edu  or by message at (408) 924-5800.