Department of Social Work
California State University, Bakersfield
Social Work: 200
SOCIAL WELFARE, SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Meeting: Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 – 10:05 a.m.
Room: DDH/K101
Professor: Robert Mejia, MSW, LCSW
Office: DDH, A114
Phone: (661) 665-6043
Fax: (661) 665-6928
E-Mail:
Office Hours: Tuesday: 10:15 – 12:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:15 – 12:00 p.m.
By appointment
Course Description
This course is designed to provide a beginning look at the institution of social welfare and the nature of social work within the interaction between individuals and the environment. The knowledge and value base of the profession of social work and historical landmarks of its development will be examined. Classroom sessions, student assignments, readings and guest speakers will be used to examine what social workers do in working with a diverse client population. The nature of social worker’s contributions to solving major social problems within our society will also be addressed.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1.) m. - 12: Understand and discuss the values and ethics that inform and guide the work of professional social workers.
2.) Identify major issues and events leading to the current status of the profession and current concerns and dilemmas within professional social work practice.
3.) Identify the various fields, settings and modes of social work practice.
4.) Recognize and discuss the significance of human diversity created by biological, cultural and societal factors and discuss the impact these factors have on social work.
5.) Gain a beginning understanding of social work research and beginning level skills for reading and understanding research findings, outcome studies, etc.
6.) Identify and discuss several different professional fields of practice in social work.
Text
REQUIRED:
1.) Farley, O.W., Smith, L.L., & Boyle, S.W. (9th Ed.). (2003) Introduction to Social Work. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
2.) Lieberman, A. (1998) the Social Workout Book. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students will be responsible for completion of all assigned readings, completion of workbook assignments and the taking of a mid-term and final exam.
Class Participation:
Each student is responsible to participate in class discussions and any other class assignments which arise during the quarter (e.g. possible group assignments, opportunities to hear special speakers outside of class, etc.)
Reading Assignments:
Reading assignments and related exercises are listed on the Reading and Assignments Schedule. Students are expected to complete all reading assignments prior to the session they are assigned for and to be prepared to discuss the content of these assignments in class.
Workbook Exercises:
Exercises from the workbook will be assigned most weeks of the course. Many of these exercises will require a written product which will be due at the beginning of the course session listed on the Reading and Assignment Schedule.
Quizzes:
Brief quizzes will be given on the required reading on a regular basis.
Examinations:
All students will take a comprehensive final exam. The exams will be objective in nature and may include multiple choice, true or false, and short-essay questions.
GRADING
Class Participation: 100 points
Quizzes: 80 points
Workbook Assignments: 100 points (20 points
Per assignment)
Final Exam 100 points
Total: 380 points
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend class sessions regularly. Remember, you will be given participation points only when you are in attendance and participating. If you are not in class then you are not earning points. Consider school as preparation for your professional career. Non-attendance at work could alter your career plans permanently. In the case of illness a courtesy call to the instructor is expected as soon as possible.
Late Assignments:
Work turn in late will result in a 5 point deduction for the first infraction, 10 points for the second, and 15 points will be deducted for the third infraction, and will require a meeting with the instructor to determine how to rectify the issue.
Missing Assignments:
Missing assignments will earn zero points and decrease the student’s final grade proportionately, see grading section above.
Test Make-ups:
If students have valid reasons (e.g. illness, child care difficulties, unforeseen circumstances) to miss a quiz, or the mid-term exam, then arrangements can be made with the instructor to conduct a make-up exam.
Classroom Conduct:
Disruptive and Violent Behavior, Sexual Harassment and Other Nondiscrimination Issues:
A core social work value is to behave with respect towards others (even if we intensely disagree with their point of view). This is congruent with CSUB policies.
READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Week 1
Tuesday – Thursday (March 30 – April 1, 2004)
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chaps 1-3
Lieberman – Workout #1(due 4/8/04)
Discussion: Class expectations
Review of syllabus
What is Social Welfare, Social Work, Social Services?
View: Legacies of Social Change: 100 Years of Professional Social Work
Week 2
Tuesday – Thursday (April 6 – April 8, 2004)
4/8: Workout #1 due; Quiz #1 on Chaps 1-3 (10 pts)
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chaps 4-5
Lieberman – Workout # 4 (due 4/22/04)
Discussion: Generalist Practice Theory
Social Work Practice with Individuals
Debating Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare.
View: Faces of Change: Social Work in the New Millennium
Week 3
Tuesday – Thursday (April 13 – April 15, 2004)
Quiz: 4/15 on Chaps 4-5 (10 pts)
Read: Farley, et.al – Chaps 6-8
Discussion: Social Work Practice with Groups
Social Work Practice with Communities
Administration and Research
Debating Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare
View: Group Work: Leading in the Here and Now
Week 4
Tuesday – Thursday (April 20 – April 22, 2004)
Workout #4 due Thursday 4/22
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chaps 9-10
Lieberman – Workout #9 (in class activity)
Workout #7 (due 5/6/04)
Discussion: Mental Health Services
Social Work in Health Care
Influencing Local Public Policy
View: Families Coping with Mental Illness
Week 5
Tuesday – Thursday (April 27 – April 29, 2004)
Quiz: 4/29 on Chaps 6-10 (20 pts)
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chaps 11-12
Lieberman – Workout #13 (in class activity)
Discussion: Social Work in the Schools
Social Security and Public Welfare
View: Unequal Education
Week 6
Tuesday – Thursday (May 4 – May 6, 2004)
Quiz: 5/6 Chaps 11-12 (10 pts); Workout #7 due 5/6/04
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chaps 13-14
Lieberman – Workout #8 (due 5/20/04)
Discussion: Family and Child Welfare Services
Correctional Services
View: A Day’s Work, A Day’s Pay
Week 7
Tuesday – Thursday (May 11 – May 13, 2004)
Quiz: 5/16 Chaps 13-14 (10 pts)
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chapters 15-16
Lieberman – Workout # 14 (in class activity)
Discussion: Services for the Aged
Drug Abuse and Social Work
View: Drug Wars
Week 8
Tuesday – Thursday (May 18 – May 20, 2004)
Workout #8 due Thursday May 20
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chapters 17-18
Lieberman – Workout # 14 (in class activity)
Discussion: Services with Minorities
Social Work in Rural Areas
View:
Week 9
Tuesday – Thursday (May 25 – May 27, 2004)
Quiz: 5/27 Chaps 15-18 (20 pts)
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chap19
Lieberman – Workout #15 (due 6/3/04)
Discussion: Case Management
View: Family Preservation Approach
Week 10
Tuesday – Thursday (June 1 – June 3, 2004)
Workbook # 15 due Thursday
Read: Farley, et.al. – Chaps 20-22
Lieberman – Workout # 17 (in class activity)
Discussion: Social Work: A Maturing Profession
Social Work Prevention and Enrichment
Social Work and the Future