Advanced History and Philosophy of Social Welfare

Catalog description

The course discusses the emergence of the welfare state and its development, the structural and ideological forces that have shaped and challenged it. We will examine the historical contexts and discuss how the different philosophical and ideological positions are influenced by diverse class, gender racial, ethnic, and cultural perspectives. Integrated throughout the discussions long standing conflicts and tensions in the field such as the role of social responsibility vs. social control vs. social exclusion based on race, ethnicity, and gender, how needs are recognized and determined, the nature of helping, perspectives on social justice and charity, the professional role of social workers, and organizational arrangements for social work and social welfare. To understand the US welfare state, we will also use a comparative, cross-national and multicultural lens. The course is to help students gain a critical understanding of social welfare taking a historical lens.