Introduction to Social Work

Course Description

Introduction to social welfare programs and social work practice. Topics include: social problems confronting society; societal and community helping resources; social work practice in a changing society. Field observation required.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Demonstrate ability to differentiate between social welfare and social work, social need and concern, professional and personal value systems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of forms of oppression and discrimination and how this affects vulnerable populations.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how a society’s structures oppress, marginalize, alienate, create, or enhance privilege and power.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how policies impact the delivery and access to social services.
  • Demonstrate understanding and application of the generalist method of social work practice.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of strengths perspective and its use in social work generalist practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to problem solve with clients using agency procedures.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
In-Class Participation/Attendance 15 points
Social Worker Interview Narrated Slide Deck 15 points
Social Welfare Pioneer Group Presentation 15 points
Quizzes (4) 20%
Community Engaged Service-Learning Experience & Reflection Components 35%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
95% - 100%A
90% - 94%A-
87% - 89%B+
83% - 86%B
80% - 82%B-
77% - 79%C+
73% - 76%C
70% - 72%C-
67% - 69%D+
63% - 66%D
60% - 62%D-
59% and belowF

Attendance/Participation:

In-Class Participation (contributes 15% to the final grade)

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

DuBois, B., & Miley, K.K. (2019). Social work: An empowering profession (9th ed). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.