SWK 6201: Social Welfare and Social Change
Credits: 3
Key Skills: Review and critique the U.S. history of social welfare; interpret evolution of theories of social welfare service; analyze contemporary U.S. social welfare programs, agencies, and organizational structure; differentiate top issues affecting U.S. social work services; evaluate current U.S. social work policy; determine effects of policy on client populations, professionals, and organizations
Description: Social Welfare and Social Change is part of the core curriculum of the online master of social work, teaching students about the history of social welfare services in the United States and contemporary issues related to client populations, programs and services, and policies. Topics covered include the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, the Social Security Act of 1935, the War on Poverty, health care reform, childcare services, the SNAP “food stamp” program, labor laws, and women’s suffrage.
The course begins by highlighting key social work pioneers who inspired the profession, investigating the humane values that underpin policies and social work services, and critiquing political ideologies and their influence on social work services and the clients who use them. By the end of the course, students will be more prepared to participate in policy advocacy and political outreach on behalf of vulnerable populations.