SCWK 6902 - Social Welfare Policy and Program Analysis
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 41069,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dessalegn Guyo
Email: dnguyo@ysu.edu
Course Description
6902. Social Welfare Policy and Program Analysis. An historical perspective on the development of social problems as well as a critical analysis of social welfare institutions, programs, policy efforts, and services. Attention is given to the consequences of social and economic injustice and the effects that policy initiatives have upon vulnerable populations. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | American Social Welfare Policy: A Pluralist Approach | Karger, H. & Stoesz, D. (2023) | ISBN-13. 978-0137472376 |
| Required | Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.-TR). | American Psychological Association |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative class schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Read and Review the Syllabus Please review the folder titled “Tips and Tricks for MSW Writing.” Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 1 NASW Policy Update Website NASW Policy Stance Website NASW Code of Ethics | Week 1 lecture The Rise of Conservatism What is capitalism? What is socialism? What is Libertarianism? What are the pros and cons of Libertarianism? | |
| 8/31 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 2 & 3 Mattocks, N. (2018). | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 2 & 3 Mattocks, N. (2018). Social action among social work practitioners examining the Micro–macro Divide. Social Work, 63(1), 7- 16. Government & American Social Welfare |
Week 2 Quiz Assignment Who represents you? Due 9/2 at 11:59pm: Week 1 Discussion Board - Reply Week 1 Quiz |
| 9/7 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapters 4 & 5 | Stigma and Poverty Week 3 Lecture Video: Mia Birdsong, The Story We Tell Ourselves About Poverty Is not True Video: Why is There Still Poverty in America? |
Week 3 Assignment: Who is living in Poverty? Due 9/8 at 11:59pm: After Class Assignment: Who represents you? Week 2 Quiz |
| 9/14 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapters 6 & 7 Article: The Privatization of Social Work: A Deviation or a Logical Progression? | Week 4, Voluntary and For-Profit Sectors Video: Lecture Video: What is a Non-Profit Organization, Really? Video: What is Privatization? Video: What is United Way? American Red Cross Explained in 3 minutes |
Week 4 Quiz Discussion Discussion Identify a prominent non-profit or charity organization. Complete a quick Google search for the CEO's yearly salary. Reflect on this salary. What were your first impressions? Were you surprised by your findings? *If you are not able to find the salary of the CEO, please choose another agency. Two Response posts are required for this post. Students should use critical thought to move the conversation forward and present a new idea. Students should avoid simply telling their classmates they did a good job and/or they liked their post. Due 9/15 at 11:59pm: After Class Assignment: Who is living in poverty? Week 3 Quiz |
| 9/21 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapters 8 & 9 | Week 5, The Government Week 5 Lecture Video: Three Ring Circus Video: I’m Just a Bill Video: Here’s Why Reaganomics is so Controversial Video: Taxes: Crash Course Economics |
Week 5 Quiz Due 9/22 before 11:59:59pm: Discussion Board Week 4 - Reply Due 9/22 at 11:59pm: Week 4 Quiz |
| 9/28 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 10 & 11 | Chapter 11 begins by identifying numerous myths associated with Public Assistance Programs. Please choose 1 myth you have been exposed to. Reflect on how this Week 6, Government Programs |
Week 6 Quiz Assignment: Public Assistance Programs Due 9/29 before midnight: Week 5 Discussion Post - Reply Due 9/29 at 11:59pm: Week 5 Quiz |
| 10/5 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 12 Healthcare-The Great Divide Ted Talk: Judith Heumann |
Week 7, Healthcare Week 7 Lecture The Economics of Healthcare: Crash Course Economics Video: The Life and Work of Jane Addams News Video: Special Report: America’s Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 12 Initial: Choose any prescription medication. Contact 3 different pharmacies and ask the cost of that medication if purchased through that pharmacy. Share the results within your post. Is the cost of the medication similar or different? |
Week 7 Quiz and Assignment: Final Paper Group Discussion Discussion Healthcare-The Great Divide Ted Talk: Judith Heumann 2 Response posts are required for this post. Students should use critical thought to move the conversation forward. Students should avoid simply telling their classmates they did a good job and/or they liked their post. Due 10/6 at 11:59pm: Policy argument: Public Assistance Programs Due 10/6 before 11:59:07pm: Discussion Board Week 6 - Reply Due 10/6 at 11:59pm: Week 6 Quiz |
| 10/12 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 13 | Week 8, Mental Health Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 13 Surgeon General: Addiction and Substance Misuse Reports and Publications |
Week 8 Quiz, Assignment-Surgeon General Reflection and Midterm Due Initial post: Contact 2 mental health agencies within your community. Obtain information regarding how long new clients must wait in order to obtain an initial appointment. Reflect on what you believe is the reason for the wait period. What do you believe can be done to make services more accessible? 2 Response posts are required for this post. Students should use critical thought to move the conversation forward. Students should avoid simply telling their classmates they did a good job and/or they liked their post. Due 10/13 before 11:59:52am: Discussion Board Week 7 - Reply Due 10/13 at 11:59pm: Week 7 Quiz Due 10/15 at 11:59pm: Midterm |
| 10/19 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 14 The Ethics of Practicing Forensic Social Work | Week 9, Criminal Justice Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 14 The Ethics of Practicing Forensic Social Work |
Discussion Use the website Spotcrime.com to view the current crime reports for your neighborhood. Were you surprised by the results? Why or why not? Do you believe posting crime information is beneficial to the community? Do you believe the identity of the offender should also be shared? 1 Response post is required for this post. Students should use critical thought to move the conversation forward. Students should avoid simply telling their classmates they did a good job Week 9 Assignment: Forensic Social Work Due 10/20 before 11:59:40pm: Discussion Board Week 8 - Reply Due 10/20 at 11:59pm: Week 8 Quiz |
| 10/26 | Chapter 15Child Welfare Policy | Week 10: Children Barush, Chapter 15 Privatized Foster Care: Profit Over Humanity? Private vs public child welfare systems: A comparative analysis of national safety outcome performance Child Welfare League of America Policy Brief Workforce Educational impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States |
Many people in the community associate social work with child welfare. However, many Child Protective Service workers are not licensed social workers. Why do you believe a social work license is not required for CPS work? What are some of the possible consequences of hiring unlicensed workers? 2 Response posts are required for this post. Students should use critical thought to move the conversation forward. Students should avoid simply telling their classmates they did a good job and/or they liked their post. Due 10/27 before 11:59:46pm: Discussion Board Week 9 Due 10/27 at 11:59pm: Policy argument on Forensic Social Work Week 9 Quiz Due 10/28 before 5:21pm: Discussion Board Week 9 - Reply |
| 11/2 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 16 | Week 11, Housing Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 16 Ohio Federal Rental Assistance Fact Sheet How Redlining Prevented Home Ownership and Gerrymandering Explained |
What policy is your group researching for your final paper? Please provide a brief summary of legislation. Do you have any concerns regarding barriers or access to resources? Response Post: 2 Response posts are required for this post. Students should use critical thought to move the conversation forward and/or provide the student with helpful feedback and information. Students should avoid simply telling their classmates they did a good job and/or they liked their post. Due 11/3 at 11:59pm: Policy Argument: Foster Care Due 11/4 before 5:22:29pm: Discussion Board Week 10 - Reply Due 11/3 before 11:59:53pm: Discussion Board Week 10 Due 11/3 at 11:59pm: Week 10 Quiz |
| 11/9 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 17 | Week 12, Food Policy, and Rural Life Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 17 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Key Statistics and Research Ohio Exploring Removing Pop Snap Benefits |
Discussion Initial Post: Identify one donation based assistance program within 10 miles of your home (food bank, clothing bank, etc.). Provide the name of the program as well as the services they provided. Describe the availability (days, hours, transportation, etc.) of the service and any restrictions they enforce (limited usage, appointment only assistance). Response Post: Respond to the post of at least one classmate who identified a service of which you were previously unaware. Do you believe this resources would be helpful to the population you will be serving? Initial post is due Wednesday at 11:59pm, response post is due Monday at 11:59pm SNAP screening tool for practice Due 11/11 before 5:23:50pm: Discussion Board Week 11 - Reply Due 11/10 before 11:59:09pm: Discussion Board Week 11 Due 11/11 at 11:59pm: Week 11 Quiz |
| 11/16 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 18 | Week 13 Education Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 18 NASW Standards for School Social Work Services Public School v. Private School |
read about ED Choice Due 11/17 before 11:59:54pm: Discussion Board Week 12 Due 11/17 at 11:59pm: Week 12 Quiz Due 11/18 before 11:26:15pm: Discussion Board Week 12 - Reply |
| 11/23 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 19 | Week 14 - 15, International Perspective | Week 15 Quiz Self Reflection Due 11/24 at 11:59pm: Week 13 Quiz |
| 11/30 | Karger & Stoesz, Chapter 19 | Week 15, International Perspective Students are to review and provide feedback on each student’s presentation. |
Presentation review Due 12/1 before 11:59:42pm: House Bill 135 - Reply Due 12/2 at 11:59pm: Self Assessment |
| 12/7 | Final week | Final week | Final week Due 12/7 before 3:07:06pm: Discussion 13 SNAP - Reply Due 12/8 at 11:59pm: Week 15 Quiz |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.