History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare

Catalog description

This course traces the development of social welfare policy in the United States and its relationship to social work. It analyzes the values and assumptions that form the foundation of existing welfare programs and institutions and explores the social, economic, political and cultural contexts in which they have developed. The course examines the development of cash assistance and social services programs in light of the enduring legacy of poverty, racism, and sexism. The view of "outsiders" in U.S. society - low-income persons, people of color, gays and lesbians - allows us to gain perspective on the source of conflict and consensus in American history, which augments material about institutional racism learned in SWRK 603 and content about behavioral responses learned in SWRK 602. The course traces, as well, the roles that social workers have played in the formulation and implementation of social welfare policy and links these historical examples to contemporary policy practice.