SSE 110 - Introduction to Social Welfare

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Introduction to social service welfare systems in the United States. Includes experiences of historically marginalized communities with the dominant U.S. culture as well as exploring disparities in prevention, treatment, and outcomes related to specific social problems, such as poverty, substance use, incarceration, family dysfunction, mental health issues, health care, education, and employment. 

 

Gen-Ed: Meets AGEC - SBS; Meets CTE - SBS.

1. Identify social welfare as an institution and social work as a profession, their historical and political contexts, the delivery of services at the micro, mezzo and macro levels, and the concept of diversity in practice.  (Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] Competencies 1, 2 and 5)
2. Describe the values and ethics of the social work profession and how personal and professional values guide practice.  (CSWE Competencies 1 and 2)
3. Identify the forms and mechanisms of oppression and social injustice based upon age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, immigration status, political ideology, poverty, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, and the social work profession’s commitment to advocate for equality, basic human rights, and social justice.  (CSWE Competencies 2 and 3)
4. Identify a variety of social problems, including the disparities experienced by historically marginalized communities, and how social workers apply critical thinking and theories from a variety of fields to inform and communicate professional judgments regarding engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.  (CSWE Competencies 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9)
5. Analyze local community resources and personally visit at least one local social service agency. (CSWE Competencies 6 and 7)

1. Describe professional social work roles and the importance of personal and professional ethics including addressing social problems, challenging social injustices, and honoring the dignity and worth of diverse populations.
2. Describe and analyze various practice settings in which social work occurs (profit, non-profit and a combination of both).
3. Describe the historical development of social welfare institutions and their response to need.
4. Describe the role of cultural norms, political interests, diverse perspectives, and cultural biases play in shaping the provision of social services.
5. Identify barriers that marginalized communities, including people of color, LGBTQ, seniors, immigrants, people with disabilities, and women face in accessing community resources and services contrasted with the dominant culture.
6. Compare and contrast the myths and realities of poverty and welfare including cultural biases and disparities in historically marginalized populations.
7. Explore the unequal treatment and disparate outcomes that historically marginalized and culturally diverse populations face in the context of social welfare issues such as mental health, substance use, family issues, crime and incarceration, education and employment.
8. Describe the function of group work, community organizing, and working one-to-one with individuals in social services.
9. Research and analyze a current social welfare, social justice, or marginalized population related topic.

1. History of Politics of Social Welfare and Social Work
2. Cultural Diversity, Historically Marginalized Communities and Social Work
3. Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice
4. People in Poverty, Economic Injustice and Public Welfare
5. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and the LGBTQ+ Community
6. Race, Ethnicity and the Impact on Social and Economic Justice
7. Women, Gender, Sexism and Equality
8. Seniors, Ageism and Gerontology
9. People with Disabilities
10. Access to Behavioral Health
11. Issues in the Family
12. Substance Use Disorders and Marginalized Communities
13. Crime, Delinquency and Disproportionate Minority Contact
14. Health Disparities
15. Education and Employment Barriers and Opportunities