SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION:

HISTORY, TRENDS AND BASIC CONCEPTS

SW 3710 (3 CREDIT HOURS)
INSTRUCTOR: JUDITH WINEMAN, LMSW
EMAIL:
FT2232@WAYNE.EDU
OFFICE HOURS:
ROOM 110-THOMPSON HOME: TH: 10:30-11:30 OR
UNIV. CENTER: WED. 3:30-5 OR BY APPOINTMENT

BY APPOINTMENT

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a history of social welfare in the United States. The course incorporates
basic concepts of social welfare. The profession of social work in historical perspective is also
included. The course informs students on current trends and issues in social welfare and in the
profession of social work.
COURSE COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS FOR THIS COURSE
2.1.5 Advance human rights and social and economic justice
Practice Behaviors:
Advocate for human rights and social justice; Engage in practice that advance social and
economic justice
2.1.8

Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver
effective social work services.
Practice Behaviors:
Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well-being; Collaborate with
colleagues and clients for effective policy action
TEXTS AND REQUIRED MATERIAL
Required Text
Day, P. J. (2009). A New History of Social Welfare, 6th edition. Needham Heights, MA:
Allyn & Bacon.

Supportive materials
Trattner, W. (1998). From poor law to welfare state: A history of social welfare in America. 6th
ed.). Free Press.
INTRODUCTION:
This course provides content about the history of social work, the history and current structures
of social welfare services, and the role of policy in service delivery, social work practice, and
attainment of individual and social well-being. This course assists students in developing a
critical understanding of the social welfare system in this country, with special emphasis placed
on its historical development and the conflicting values and beliefs that shaped it. Course
content provides students with knowledge and skills to understand major policies that form the
foundation of social welfare and contemporary social welfare trends are discussed within their
social, political, and economic contexts. The historical underpinnings and current structure of the
social work profession are described. Social welfare policy issues (e.g., poverty; homelessness,
etc.) are analyzed with respect to social works commitment to the attainment of individual social
well-being and economic and distributive justice on behalf of oppressed populations. The dual
role of the social worker as advocate for progressive change and knowledgeable resource broker
is explained which will provide an introductory level regarding the ability to become proactive
and engage in policy development to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver
effective social work services.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:
Student achievement of learning outcomes is assessed via quizzes, in-class short answer
examination, and a written assessment of the historical trends of a particular social welfare
policy, including the various definitions of the problem over time. In addition, additional papers,
quizzes, homework, and classroom participation may be utilized to demonstrate achieved
learning outcomes.
GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Please Note: Criteria for individual classes may vary; however the benchmark assignment is
required for all course sections
Assignment

Points

Percentage

Analyze a social problem

(Benchmark assignment)
Analyze and compare a social
problem of two non-western
countries
Final exam

75

50

55

37

20

13

TOTAL

150

100

Related Course
Competency
Competencies 2.1.5 &
2.1.8
Competencies 2.1.5 &
2.1.8
Competencies 2.1.5 &
2.1.8
Competencies 2.1.5 &
2.1.8

BENCHMARK ASSIGNMENT
Social problem Assignment: Students will write a paper that analyzes a social problem and its
U.S. social welfare policies over time.
Grading Policy:
Students may pass the course with a grade of D but must maintain a C average during the junior
and senior year. (See Undergraduate Bulletin, Wayne State University
http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/ubk-output/index.html)
Grade distribution:
150-145A
144-139 A115-110 C+
109-104 C

138-133B+
103-98C-

132-127 B
97-92 D+

126-121 B91-86 D

120-115 C+
85-80 D-

ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE

The course is divided into four units. Changes in this format may happen to meet the combined
needs of the students and the instructor. Primary attention is given to the development of
social welfare within this country and the values and beliefs that undergird these policies.
ROLE OF THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR
See University Statement of Obligation of Students and Faculty Members of the teaching learning process
http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/fib/fib2d.html
POLICIES FOR THIS COURSE
Assignment Policy:
Late papers (those not turned in on assigned day), will be downgraded by one grade, i.e.
if the paper is deemed to be an A paper, it will be given a B due to lateness. Each rewrite
of a paper will be downgraded by five points. A zero will be factored in for missing
work.
Students are expected to complete all readings, participate in class and perform
satisfactorily on assignments and examinations. The instructor should be notified by
email of unavoidable issues in advance which may (will) prevent compliance with
assignment due date. Unless there are serious extenuating circumstances, a student will
not be able to earn an A for the course with more than two sessions of non-participation a
B with more than four sessions of non-participation, or a C with more than five sessions
of non-participation. No incomplete will be given in this class.
Plagiarism /Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism is using another persons words or ideas without giving credit to the other
person. When you use someone elses words, you must put quotation marks around them
and give the writer or speaker credit by revealing the source in a citation. Even if you
3

revise or paraphrase the words of someone else or just use their ideas, you still must give
the author credit in a note.
Plagiarism, Cheating: See WSU References:
http://www.otl.wayne.edu/pdf/2006_july_aibrochure.
http://www.doso.wayne.edu/codeof conduct.pdf
William Harris, Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Research Papers,
http://virtualsalt.com/antiplag.htm, March 7, 2002
You must cite sources from the Internet or any other form of electronic media used in
your work. Any paper suspected of plagiarism will be reviewed at Turnitin.com to verify
that it is your work and properly cited.
Any paper that is plagiarized will result in an F for the class and a referral to the
University for further Disciplinary Action.
APA FORMAT
All papers written in the School of Social Work require APA format. You may purchase
the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition), or you
may visit the website listed here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
WIKIPEDIA WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS A RELIABLE SOURCE
What is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a free-content encyclopedia, written collaboratively by people from all
around the world. The site is a wiki, which means that anyone can edit entries simply by
clicking on the edit this page link.
Because Wikipedia is an ongoing work to which anybody can contribute, it differs from
a paper-based reference source in some important ways. In particular, mature articles tend
to be more comprehensive and balanced, while other (often fledgling) articles may still
contain significant misinformation, un-encyclopedic content or vandalism. Users need to
be aware of this in order to obtain valid information and avoid misinformation which has
been recently added and not yet removed.
Class Participation/Attendance:
Student participation is important to the success of any class. Class participation includes
raising questions from the readings, making relevant comments drawn from personal
experience, reacting to opinions expressed by the instructor and students, asking for
clarification, being actively engaged in class exercises, or bringing up issues of general
interest to the class.
Attendance in class is required. If you have cannot come to class for any reason you
MUST contact me in advance by email.

WSU STUDENT RESOURCES

Students with disabilities
http://studentdisability.wayne.edu/rights.php.
Academic integrity and student code of conduct
http://www.doso.wayne.edu/student-conduct/Academic_Integrity.html
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Wayne State:
http://www.caps.wayne.edu/
Course Learning Unitsadditional readings may be added by class instructor.
Week
Content
Assignments
Week 1
Introduction to the course and each
Reading:
8/27/14 other
Review the syllabus
Review syllabus, course, purpose,
format, norms and assignments.
Class lecture/discussion on distributive
justice
Week 2
Lecture and discussion regarding
Reading: Chapter 1:
9/3/14
American social values- issues of
Values in Social
discrimination. Values and poverty and
Welfare
the five basic institutions of social
welfare in America.
Week 3
Lecture and discussion
Reading: Chapter 2
9/10/14 Values and poverty and the five basic
The Institution of
institutions of social welfare in America. Social Welfare: An
Overview
Week 4
Dark and Middle Ages, feudal society,
Chapter 4:
9/17/14 ascribed and achieved status, Poverty
Feudalism and the
becomes a crime, Protestant
Welfare State
Reformation
The Elizabethan Poor Laws
Week 5
Lecture/discussion
Chapter 5: Social
9/24/14 The Indigenous Peoples of America
Welfare Moves to
European Invasion
America
Social Welfare in the Colonies
** PAPER OUTLINE
Slavery in the Colonies
DUE**
The New Nation and its Constitution
Week 6
Lecture/discussion The first Civil Rights
Chapter 6:
10/1/14 Movement; Private Philanthropy; Social America to the Civil
treatment in the 1800s; social control;
War
nonwhite minorities; The womens
movement
Week 7
Lecture/review
Chapter 7:
10/8/14 The Civil War; A new nation emerges;
The American Welfare
5

Week 8
10/15/1
4

Week 9
10/22/1
4

Week
10
10/29/1
4
Week
11
11/5/20
14
Week
12
11/12/1
4
Week
13
11/19/1

after the civil war; post war political

economy; population, immigration and
the people; true womanhood; Emerging
philosophies and social Welfare;
Settlement house movement
Child saving; Adoption Practices UIA
Module 2
Lecture and discussion
The progressive era
Population movements and
immigration; oppression of African
Americans, and Native Americans
Labor and the Unions
Social Welfare in the progressive Era
The professionalization of Social Work,
oppression of African Americans,
Native Americans
Unions
Lecture/discussion
The great Depression; Social Insurance
in the U.S.; Programs of Social
Insurance based on the Social Security
Acts; Public Assistance Programs of the
Social Security Acts; Maternal and Child
Welfare Act: Title V
The professionalization of Social Work
World War II
Lecture and Discussion
The state of the nation under
Eisenhower
Civil Rights before Kennedy; Johnson
and the Great Society; Welfare, Civil
Rights and the social work profession
Lecture and Discussion
Social Programs of the 70s / Civil Rights
in the 70s

System Begins

Lecture and discussion:

The new federalism

Chapter 12:
The Reactionary Vision

Lecture and discussion: The Decline of

Social Responsibility

Chapter 13
The Decline of Social
Responsibility

Chapter 8:
The Progressive Era,
War, and Recovery

Chapter 9:
The Great Depression
and Social Security for
Americans

Chapter 10:
Civil and Welfare
Rights in the New
Reform Era
Chapter 11:
The Return to the Past

4
Thanksgiving Week No class
Week
Lecture/review: A retreat from the
Chapter 14:
14
Welfare State; Social Programs in the
Spiraling Down to
12/3/14 1970s Other social welfare programs;
Welfare Past Chapter
Last day Civil Rights in the 70s Biting the
15 Political Stonewalls
of Class conservative bullet; Reganomics; The
New Federalism; Basic Needs Programs;
Civil Rights under Reagan and Bush;
the International Element; Values and
Dependency; the synergistic Cycles of
History; and the why of values analysis.
Week
Final Exam
15
12/10/1
2
Note: Syllabus may change based on needs of the class

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment 1 Competencies 2.1.5 & 2.1.8
Please Note--Assignment 1 is the Benchmark Assignment for this course and may not be
changed by the instructor.
Analyze a social problem and policies related to that problem from its historical through
current practice. Examples of issues are mental health, poverty, women, children and /or youth.
This assignment is designed to improve your critical thinking and writing skills. This
assignment offers you the opportunity to investigate an issue, event or process in the history of
social welfare policy in great detail which will increase your understanding of the major themes
and issues of the course.
This paper should be 8-10 pages, typed, double spaced, with standard margins and
approximately 250 words per page. The citations must be in APA format. You must have at least
seven references, five of which must come from profession references (journal articles, text
books). Please note: This must be your work: using information from your references without
giving credit to the author is considered plagiarism. This is a form of cheating and will result in
a failing grade for the paper.
The paper must include the following:
1. Description of the social welfare issue/problem you are researching and provide evidence
of the impact and the demographics of the population it effects.
2. How has the topic been treated historically? When was it first identified? Was it identified
the same as it is today? How is the historical and current definition different?
3. What services/policies were in place to alleviate problem? Has this changed over time?
4. Who receives the services? How does this policy impact those most affected by the
problem?
7

5. How do social stigma, discrimination and/or societal prejudices affect the definition and
policy solutions?
6. Discuss your personal belief of the problem and what you think the causes of the problem
are.
7. How does the treatment of this issue related to Social Work values and ethics

Point Rubric for Term Paper 75 POINTS TOTAL Assessing

Attribute/
Criteria
Topic

Research

Conclusion

Organization/
Clarity

a Social Welfare Issue over time

Excellent
Position and exceptions, if any, are
clearly stated. Organization of the
argument is completely and clearly
outlined and implemented.
20 pts
Research selected is highly relevant to
the argument, is presented accurately
and completely the method, results,
and implications are all presented
accurately; Theory is relevant,
accurately described and all relevant
components are included; relationship
between research and theory is clearly
articulated and accurate.
25 pts
clearly stated and connections to the
research and position are clear and
relevant. The underlying logic is
explicit.
20 pts
Paper is coherently organized and the
logic is easy to follow. There are no
spelling or grammatical errors and
terminology is clearly defined. Writing
is clear and concise and persuasive.
10 pts

Competent

Developing

Position is clearly stated.

Organization of argument is clear in
parts or only partially described and
mostly implemented.
15
Research is relevant to the argument
and is mostly accurate and complete
there are some unclear components or
some minor errors in the method,
results or implications. Theory is
relevant and accurately described
Connection to theory has some minor
errors.
20pts

Position is vague. Organization of

argument is missing, vague, or not
consistently maintained.
10 pts

clearly stated and connections to

research and position are mostly clear,
minor errors in logic are present.
15 pts

connections to the research is unclear.

Underlying logic has major flaws;
connection to position is not clear.
8

Paper Structure
Paper is generally well organized and
most of the argument is easy to
follow. There are only a few minor
spelling or grammatical errors, or
terms are not clearly defined. Writing
is mostly clear but may lack
conciseness.
7 pts

Paper is poorly organized and difficult

to read does not flow logically from
one part to another. There are several
spelling and/or grammatical errors;
technical terms are poorly defined.
Writing lacks clarity and conciseness.
4 pts

Research is vague and incomplete

components are missing Theory is
theory is not clearly articulated and/or
has incorrect or incomplete
components. Relationship between
theory and research is unclear major
errors in the logic are present.
10 pts

Assignment 2 Competencies 2.1.5 & 2.1.8 (30 points)

Analysis of a Social Welfare Issue over time of two non-western countries compared to the United States. Using the issue chosen for
assignment 1, choose two countries to compare and contrast with the historical and current development to the United States.

This paper should be 8-10 pages, typed, double spaced, with standard margins and approximately 250 words per page. The citations
must be in APA format. You must have at least seven references, five of which must come from profession references (journal articles,
text books). Please note: This must be your work: using information from your references without giving credit to the author is
considered plagiarism. This is a form of cheating and will result in a failing grade for the paper.
The paper should include the following points:
1. Describe the current social problem and provide evidence of the impact and the demographics of the population it effects.
2. How has the problem been treated historically? When was it initially identified as a problem? Was it identified the same as it is
today? How is the historical and current definition different?
3. What are services/policies that are in place to alleviate problem? How has this changed over time?
4. Who receives the services? How does this compare to whom is most affected by the problem?
5. How do social stigma, discrimination and/or societal prejudices affect the definition and policy solutions?
6. Discuss the global differences and similarities of these countries compared to the United States.
7. How does the treatment of this issue relate to Social Work values and ethics?
Other suggested requirements for the course:
quizzes, tests

Point Rubric for Assignment 2 Comparison Paper 55 points

Attribute/
Criteria
Topic

Research

Conclusion

Organization/
Clarity

Excellent
Position and exceptions, if any, are
clearly stated. Organization of the
argument is completely and clearly
outlined and implemented.
20 pts
Research selected is highly relevant to
the argument, is presented accurately
and completely the method, results,
and implications are all presented
accurately; Theory is relevant,
accurately described and all relevant
components are included; relationship
between research and theory is clearly
articulated and accurate.
15 pts
clearly stated and connections to the
research and position are clear and
relevant. The underlying logic is
explicit.
10 pts
Paper is coherently organized and the
logic is easy to follow. There are no
spelling or grammatical errors and
terminology is clearly defined. Writing
is clear and concise and persuasive.
10 pts

Competent

Developing

Position is clearly stated.

Organization of argument is clear in
parts or only partially described and
mostly implemented.
15 pts
Research is relevant to the argument
and is mostly accurate and complete
there are some unclear components or
some minor errors in the method,
results or implications. Theory is
relevant and accurately described
Connection to theory has some minor
errors.

Position is vague. Organization of

argument is missing, vague, or not
consistently maintained.

10 pts
clearly stated and connections to
research and position are mostly clear,
minor errors in logic are present.
7 pts

5 pts
connections to the research is unclear.
Underlying logic has major flaws;
connection to position is not clear.

7 pts
Research is vague and incomplete
components are missing Theory is
theory is not clearly articulated and/or
has incorrect or incomplete
components. Relationship between
theory and research is unclear major
errors in the logic are present.

4 pts
Paper Structure
Paper is generally well organized and
most of the argument is easy to
follow. There are only a few minor
spelling or grammatical errors, or
terms are not clearly defined. Writing
is mostly clear but may lack
conciseness.
7 pts

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abramowitz, M. (1998) Regulating the lives of women: social welfare policy from

Paper is poorly organized and difficult

to read does not flow logically from
one part to another. There are several
spelling and/or grammatical errors;
technical terms are poorly defined.
Writing lacks clarity and conciseness.
4 pts

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