SSE 182 - A Social Services Perspective of Government

1. Identify the history and functions of different levels of federal, state, tribal, county and municipal governments.
2. Describe the principles of civil liberties, civil rights and social justice – and the ways of ensuing these principles are protected through the creation of law and public policy.
3. Discuss the ethical imperatives of the social work profession and the role of social service professionals in shaping public policy through advocacy.
4. Demonstrate and apply political advocacy skills related to a contemporary social issue.

1. Identify the mission and core values of social service professions in relation to policy practice.
2. Understand the historical underpinnings of the federal, state, tribal, county, and municipal levels of governments.
3. Explain the unique role of each level of government, and the similarities and differences between their structures and divisions of power.
4. Describe the historical background of the development of reservations, the structure and divisions of power of tribal governments, the role of tribal law, the concept of tribal sovereignty, and the interrelationship between tribal, state, and federal governments.
5. Apply the principles of civil liberty to civil rights and social justice.
6. Explain the electoral process of each level of government.
7. Describe the process involved in the creation of law and public policy.
8. Understand and apply various policy models that help explain the development of public policy and political advocacy.
9. Describe the role of social service professionals in influencing public policy through advocacy and policy practice.
10. Demonstrate understanding of the values and ethical considerations for a social services worker working within the political arena.
11. Identify the influence of the media, special interest groups, and corporations on public policy.
12. Demonstrate political advocacy related to a contemporary social issue.

1. An introduction to social services in relation to governments
   1. How social services are impacted by and interact with all levels of government
   2. Social welfare and the role of government actions and services
2. Historical background of the United States structure of government
   1. Becoming a Democratic Republic
   2. The Constitution of the United States
   3. Federalism
3. Historical background of state, tribal and local structures of government
   1. The Arizona Constitution
   2. County Classes and Charters
   3. Incorporation of Municipal Areas and Charters
   4. Tribal Sovereignty and Governance
4. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
   1. The Bill of Rights
   2. Freedom of Religion, Speech, Assembly and Privacy
   3. Balancing the Rights of Individuals and the Rights of Society
5. Government Structures, Division of Power, and Relationship between Levels of Government
   1. National – Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches
   2. State, County, Municipal, and Tribal governments
   3. Interrelationship between Tribal, State, and Federal Governments
6. Federal and State Bureaucracies – Role in Developing and Maintaining Social Services
7. Policy Models
   1. Incrementalism
   2. Elite Theory
   3. Rational Theory
   4. Critical Theory
8. The Creation of Law and Public Policy
   1. How a bill becomes law – Federal and State
   2. Policy models in action
9. The Role of Special Interest Groups, Corporations, and the Media in Influencing Public Policy
10. Policy Practice and the Practitioner’s Influence upon Policy: Becoming a Change Agent  
11. Social Service Values and Ethics in the Political Arena
    1. Social and Economic Justice
    2. Empowerment
    3. Self-determination
    4. Responsibilities to the broader society – promoting the general welfare, public participation, and social and political action