Wayne State University

School of Social Work

Fall 2015
Course:

S.W. 4710: Social Welfare in the United States: Current Programs, (3 credits) Section (003)
CR#13139

Schedule:

Saturday, 11:45 2:30 p.m.

Room: Old Main 0103

Instructor:

Anthony E. O. King, M.S.W., Ph.D.

Fax: (313) 577-8770
Email: aj5891@wayne.edu

Office Hours: By Appointment

Prerequisites: SW3710: Description and Analysis of Major Social Welfare Programs in the United
States
Course Description
This senior-level course helps students develop a critical understanding of the social welfare system in
this country, with emphasis placed on the structure of current programs, services, and policies, and how
these policies compare internationally. Course content provides students with knowledge and skills to
understand major policies that form the foundation of social welfare. Special attention is paid to
analyzing and reforming current social welfare policies at local, state, national and international levels
and applying the results of policy practice skills in regard to economic, political, and organizational
systems. The application of policy practice skills will be implemented to influence, formulate and
advocate for policy consistent with social work values; and identify financial, organizational,
administrative, and planning processes required to deliver social services.
In the process, program policy gaps and inadequacies are pinpointed, especially as they impact on
oppressed and at risk populations. Prospective social workers are introduced to the workings of the
political process, its influence on social welfare policy and social work practice, and the ways in which
social workers can participate in political activities, advocacy groups and coalitions, and/or
organizational change in order to achieve social and economic justice.
Course Competencies and Practice Behaviors
2.1.5: Advance human rights and social and economic justice
Practice Behaviors: Advocate for human rights and social justice; Engage in practice that advance social and
economic justice

2.1.8: Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver
effective social work services.
Practice Behaviors: Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well-being; Collaborate
with colleagues and clients for effective policy action

Tests and Required Material

Karger, H. J. and Stoesz, D. (2013). American Social Welfare: A Pluralist Approach (7th ed.). Boston:
Allyn & Bacon.
Organization of the Course
Course content begins with a brief review of the history of social welfare in this country and trends in
the development of our social welfare system. Current policies and programs are described and
analyzed using a policy analysis framework. Gaps in existing programs (such as welfare and social
security) are identified and impacts on the lives of minorities, women, and other oppressed groups are
emphasized. The social workers ongoing role as policy reformer and advocate for social and
economic justice is presented throughout the course.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:
Student achievement of the knowledge and skill objectives is evaluated via examinations and/or policy
analysis. In addition, students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to advocate for policy change
by engaging in some form of political advocacy.
Benchmark Assignment: Development of a new policy
GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments
Policy Analysis Paper (10/17)
Policy Alternative Paper (11/14)
Examination (12/12)
Class attendance

Course Competency
2.1.5 & 2.1.7
2.1.5 & 2.1.7
2.1.5 & 2.1.7
2.1.5 & 2.1.7

% of Grade
38
44
11
7
100

Points
85
100
25
15
200

Grade Scale
A = 225 214
A- = 213 202
B+ = 201 196

B = 195 187
B- = 186 180
C+ = 179 173

C = 172 164
C- = 163 157
D+ = 156 151

D = 150 142
D- = 141 134
F =133

Grading Policy:
Students may pass the course with a grade of D but must maintain a C average during the junior and
senior year (See Undergraduate Bulletin, Wayne State University. http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/ubkoutput/index.html.
.

Role of the Student and Instructor

See University Statement of Obligations of Students and Faculty Members of the teachinglearning process: http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/fib/fib2d.html
WSU STUDENT RESOURCES
Students with disabilities http://studentdisability.wayne.edu/rights.php.
Academic integrity and student code of conduct http://www.doso.wayne.edu/studentconduct/Academic_Integrity.html. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Wayne State:
COURSE POLICIES
1. The Wayne State University Statement of Obligations of Students and Faculty Members to the
Teaching and Learning Process identifies the role of students and instructors. Students can find
this statement at the following WSU web address, http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/ubkoutput/gen18.html#15234.
2. Students are expected to participate in class by, (a) contributing to class discussions and small
group exercises, (b) sharing their responses to course readings and issues and topics raised in
class, and (c) asking questions.
3. Student Disability Services - If you have a documented disability that requires
accommodations, you will need to register with Student Disability Services for coordination of
your academic accommodations. The Student Disability Services (SDS) office is located at 1600
David Adamany Undergraduate Library in the Student Academic Success Services department.
SDS telephone number is 313-577-1851 or 313-577-3365 (TTY: telecommunication device for
the deaf; phone for hearing impaired students only). Once you have your accommodations in
place, I will be glad to meet with you privately during my office hours to discuss your special
needs. Student Disability Services mission is to assist the university in creating an accessible
community where students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to fully participate in
their educational experience at Wayne State University.
4. The Wayne State University Writing Center is the place to talk about your writing. Whether
you are working on your first or final draft, the Writing Center is available to advise you at any
step of the writing process. Services are free to all Wayne State University students and faculty.
Services include: one-on-one tutoring; a library covering grammar, style and documentation;
and computer access. The Wayne State University's Writing Center is also piloting OWL
(online writing lab) called HOOT. HOOT stands for "Hypertext One-on-one Tutoring" and it
will enable students to e-mail us their papers for commenting. Depending on the student's level
of comfort with this technology, we will be able to leave comments in HTML, audio, or video.
Learn more about Writing Center services at http://www.clas.wayne.edu/writing/
5. Attendance & Participation
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Students are expected to attend all class sessions and Class attendance will be taken each class
session at the beginning of class. If you arrive late it is your responsibility to locate and sign
the sign-in sheet. No one will be allowed to sign the attendance sheet retroactively (after the
class session has ended). Your signature must be legible and illegible signatures will count
as an absence. Attendance counts for 7% (15 points) of students course grade and (2) points
will be deducted from your attendance points for every missed class session.
In addition to consistent class attendance, students should arrive for class on time. Students who
arrive late miss important information and disturb their classmates. If you arrive late for class
please enter the room quietly and take a seat. If you have a scheduling conflict you need to
discuss your problem with the instructor. Class attendance policies are subject to change at
the discretion of the instructor. Any changes in the attendance policy will be distributed to
students in class at least two weeks in advance of the effective date of the policy.
6. Assignments and Grades
Scores earned for graded assignments and/or examinations determine final course grades.
Papers and graded assignments are due on the date indicated in the syllabus. Late papers will be
penalized ten percent (10%) of the total possible points assigned to the paper each class session
it is late. The instructor doesnt accept assignments via email except when unforeseen and
unplanned emergencies arise. The instructor will use his discretion to determine when
such circumstances prevail. Planned vacations for weddings or other personal holidays or
events do not constitute unforeseen and unplanned emergencies. Students can always turn
in their papers early to avoid the late penalty. If you have questions about this policy feel free
to contact the instructor.
All papers and reports must be typed double-spaced and contain cover pages that include, your
name, the course title, section number and the date. Each page of your report or paper must be
numbered and all pages must be stapled together. If the assignment requires you to attach a
copy of a published journal article the article must be stapled to the report. Any paper or
report that doesnt meet these requirements will not be accepted no exceptions! If you have
questions about this policy feel free to contact the instructor.
Course Outline and Required Readings
September 5 &12
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Review the course syllabus and assignments.

Why is social welfare policy relevant to social work practice?
Why should social workers study social policy?
Why should social workers analyze social policy?
The origins of American social welfare: From the English Poor Laws through the
Colonial Era.
Readings
4

Chapters 1 & 6: Karger & Stoesz

Historical Foundations of American Social Welfare Policy and Practice: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
September 19 & 26
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.

Definitions of Social Welfare Policies

What are the values, ideologies and perspectives that influence social welfare institutions
and policies in the United States?
The American Political Economy
Structural Interests Within Social Welfare
Readings
Chapters 1 & 6: Karger & Stoesz
Definition of Social Welfare: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
The American Political Economy: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
October 3

X.
XI.

Models for analyzing social policy

Social Welfare Policy Research
A. Government resources
B. Private resources
C. Social welfare data/statistics

Readings
Chapters 2 & 8: Karger & Stoesz
A Framework for Analyzing Social Welfare Policy: The Four Dimensional Approach (PowerPoint
Presentation (Blackboard)
October 10
XII.

Discrimination, Inequality, and Social Justice in the United States

Readings
Chapter 4: Karger & Stoesz
Discrimination in American Society (PowerPoint Presentation (Blackboard)
October 17

XIII.
XIV.

Measuring poverty and inequality

Tax policy and income distribution
Readings
5

Chapters 5 & 9: Karger & Stoesz

Overview of Poverty in the United States: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
Income Inequality in the United States: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
October 24
XV. The making of public policy and the role of corporations, lobbyists, and money
XVI. Privatization and human service corporations
XVII. Traditional and Contemporary Faith-Based Social Services
Readings
Chapters 7 & 8: Karger & Stoesz
The Federal Policy-Making Process: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
How Do Private Citizens Influence the Policy-Making Process: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
The United States of ALEX: Video
October 31
XVIII. Public Assistance Programs
A.
B.
C.
D.

Aid to families and children (ADC, AFDC and TANEF)

Supplemental Security Income
Food Stamps & Food and Nutrition Programs
General Assistance
Readings
Chapter 11: Karger & Stoesz
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANEF): PowerPoint (Blackboard)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): PowerPoint (Blackboard)
Federal Food and Nutrition Programs: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
November 7
XIX. Social Insurance Programs
A. Social Security
B. Unemployment insurance and Workmans Compensation.
C. Earned Income Tax Credits
Readings
Chapter 10: Karger & Stoesz
Social Insurance Programs: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
November 14
XX.

Community Mental Health, Child Welfare and the Criminal Justice System
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Readings
Chapters 13, 14 & 15: Karger & Stoesz
November 21 & December 5
XXI. Health Care Programs
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.

Medicaid
Medicare
State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Maternal and Child Health
Veterans Health Care
Military Health Care
Private Health Insurance
Overview of the Affordable Care Act (2010)
Readings
Chapter 12: Karger & Stoesz
Health Care in the United States: PowerPoint (Blackboard)
December 12
EXAMINATION
COURSE EVALUATION

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Albert, R. & Skolnik (2006). Social Welfare Programs: Narratives from Hard Times.
CA Thompson Wardsworth
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Allen-Meares, P. & Roberts, E. M. (1995). Public assistance as family policy: Closing
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Alexander, J. (2003). Understanding Legal concepts that influence social welfare policy
and practice Pacific Grove, CA: Thompson Learning
Anderson, S.G., Halter, A.P., & Gryzlak, B.M. (2004). Difficulties after leaving TANF:
Inner-city women talk about reasons for returning to welfare. Social Work, 49,
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Berrick, J. D. (1995). Faces of poverty: Portraits of women and children on welfare.
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Chambers, D. ( 1998 ). Social policy and social programs
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Ellis, R. (2003). Impacting social policy: A practitioners guide to analysis and action.
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Ewalt, P., Freeman, E. M., Kirk, S. A., & Poole, D. L. (1997). Social policy: Reform,
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Gil, D. (1998). Confronting injustice and oppression: Concepts and strategies for
Social Workers. New York: Columbia University Press.
Gilbert, N. & Terrell, P. (1998). Dimensions of social welfare policy (6th ed.). Needham
Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Haynes, K. & Mickelson, J. (2006) Affecting Change: Social Workers in the political
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Hockstand, C. & Midgley, J. (Eds.) (2004). Lessons from abroad: adapting international
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Hodge, D. (2003). Value differences between social workers and members of the
working and middle classes. Social Work, 48, 107-119.
Jansson, B.S. (2005). The reluctant welfare state. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Jansson, B. S. (1999). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice
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Johnson, A.K. (2004). Social work is standing on the legacy of Jane Addams: But are
we sitting on the sidelines? Social Work, 49, 319-326.
Kuo, D. (1997). Poverty 101: What liberals and conservatives can learn from each
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Midgley, J., Tracy, M., & Livermore, M. (2000). The handbook of social policy.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
NASW. (2003). Social Work Speaks: NASW Policy Statements 2003-2006.
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Noble, C. (1997). Welfare as we knew It: A political history of the american welfare
state. Lavallette, NJ: Oxford University Press.
Perlmutter, F. D. (1997). From welfare to work: Corporate initiatives and welfare
reform. Lavallette, NJ: Oxford University Press.
Popple, P. & Leighninger, L (2001). The Policy-based profession: An introduction to
social welfare policy analysis for social workers (2nd ed.) . Boston, MA: Allyn &
Bacon.
Rank, M. (2005). One nation, underprivileged: Why American poverty affects us all.
NY, NY: Oxford University Press.
Ramanathan, C. S. & Link, R. J. (1999). All our futures: Principles & resources for
social work practice in a global era. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole.
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Stoesz, D. (1996). Small change: Domestic policy under the Clinton Presidency. New
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York: Longman.
UsefulWebsites:
Hobbs,FrankandNicoleStoops,U.S.CensusBureau.2002.DemographicTrendsinthe20th
Century,Census2002SpecialReports,SeriesCENSR4.Washington,D.C.:U.S.Government
PrintingOffice.Readhighlights(pp.13,7,49,71,115,137)andskimtherest.
http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr4.pdf
CenteronBudgetandPolicyPriorities.2003.IntroductiontotheHousingVoucherProgram.
http://www.cbpp.org/51503hous.pdf
Cauthen,NancyK.2006.Whenworkdoesntpay:WhatEveryPolicymakerShouldKnow.
NationalCenterforChildreninPoverty,ColumbiaUniversityMailmanSchoolofPublicHealth.
http://www.nccp.org/media/wdp06text.pdf
Jargowsky,PaulA.andIsabelSawhill,2006.TheDeclineoftheUnderclass.CenteronChildren
andFamilies,TheBrookingsInstitution,Brief#36.
http://www.brookings.org/es/research/projects/wrb/publications/pb/pb36pdf
SupplementalCourseBibliography
CourseBibliography&Resources
Ahamed, L. (2009). Lords of finance: The bankers that broke the world. NY: Penguin Group.
Barrlett, D. L. & Steele, J. B. (2000). The great American tax dodge: How spiraling fraud and
avoidance are killing fairness, destroying the income tax, and costing you. Los Angeles, CA:
University of California Press.
Berrick, J. D. (1995). Faces of poverty: Portraits of women and children on welfare. Lavallette,
NJ: Oxford University Press.
Cassidy, J. (2010). How markets fail: The logic of economic calamities. NY: Picador Publishers.
Edelman, P. (2012). So rich, so poor: Why its so hard to end poverty in America. NY: The New
Press.
Faux, J. (2006). The global class war: How Americas bipartisan elite lost our future and what it
will take to win it back. Newark, NJ: Wiley & Sons.
Faux, J. (2012). The servant economy: Where Americas elite is sending the middle-class. Newark,
NJ: Wiley & Sons.
Ferguson, C. H. (2012). Predator nation: Corporate criminals, political corruption, and the
hijacking of America. NY: Crown Business.

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Fox, J. (2011). The myth of rational markets: A history of risk, reward, and delusion on Wall Street.
NY: HarperCollins.
Galibraith, J. K. (1998). Created unequal: The crisis in American pay. Chicago: University Chicago
Press.
Hacker, J.S. (2008). The great risk shift: The new economic insecurity and the decline of the
American dream. NY: Oxford University Press.
Hacker, J.S. & Pierson, P. (2011). How Washington made the rich richer and turned its back on the
middle-class. NY: Simon and Schuster.
Hedges, C. (2010). Death of the liberal class. NY: Nation Books.
Hirsh, M. (2010). Capital offense: How Washingtons wise men turned Americas future over to Wall
Street. NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Johnston, D.C. (2008). Free lunch: How the wealthiest Americans enrich themselves at government
expense (and stick you with the bill). NY: Penguin Group.
Lessig, L. (2011). Republic lost: How money corrupts Congressand a plan to stop it. NY: Twelve.
Oliver, M.L. & Shapiro, T.M. (2006). Black wealth/White wealth: A new perspective on racial
inequality. NY: Routledge
Perino, M. (2010). The hellhound of Wall Street: How Ferdinand Pecoras investigation of the
Great Crash forever changed American finance. NY: Penguin Books.
Potter, W. (2011). Deadly spin: An insurance company insider speaks out on how corporate PR is
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Prestowitz, C. (2010). The Betrayal of American Prosperity: Free Market Delusions, America's
Decline, and How We Must Compete in the Post-Dollar Era. NY: Free Press.
Prims, N. (2010). An epic tale of power, deceit and untold trillions. NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Shapiro, T.M. (2004). The hidden cost of being African American. NY: Oxford University Press.
Stein, J. (2011). Pivotal decades: How the United States traded factories for finance in the
seventies. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Stiglitz, J. E. (2002). Globalization and its discontents. NY: W.W. Norton & Company.
Stiglitz, J. E. (2002). Making globalization work. NY: W.W. Norton & Company.

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Stiglitz, J. E. (2010). Free fall: America, free markets and the sinking of the world economy.
Norton, W.W. & Company, Inc.
Stiglitz, J. E. (2012). The price of inequality. NY: W.W. Norton & Company.
Warren, E. & Tyagi-Warren, A. (2003). The two income trap: Why middle-class parents are going
broke. NY: Basic Books.
Non-partisan or Progressive Public Policy Websites
The Economic Policy Institute. http://www.epi.org/. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a nonprofit, non-partisan think tank, was created in 1986 to broaden discussions about economic policy to
include the needs of low- and middle-income workers. EPI believes every working person deserves
a good job with fair pay, affordable health care, and retirement security. To achieve this goal, EPI
conducts research and analysis on the economic status of working America. EPI proposes public
policies that protect and improve the economic conditions of low- and middle-income workers and
assesses policies with respect to how they affect those workers.
Just Facts. http://www.justfacts.com/index.asp?page=home.
The mission of Just Facts is to research and publish verifiable facts about the leading public policy
issues of our time. To accomplish this with impartiality and excellence, we use Standards of
Credibility to determine what constitutes a credible fact and what does not. Our vision is to equip
individuals throughout the world with facts that empower them to make truly informed decisions.
This requires authoritative facts that accurately convey big picture realities, not half-truths or
talking points.
Social Security-Just the Facts. http://www.justfacts.com/socialsecurity.asp#[224].
The Impact of Social Security on the National Debt-Just the Facts.
http://www.justfacts.com/news.impactSS.asp.
National Employment Labor Project. http://www.nelp.org/. The National Employment Law Project
(NELP) responds by working to restore the promise of economic opportunity in the 21st century
economy. In partnership with national, state and local allies, we promote policies and programs that
create good jobs, strengthen upward mobility, enforce hard-won worker rights, and help
unemployed workers regain their economic footing through improved benefits and services.
Historical Debt Outstanding-Annual.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt.htm.
Open Secrets.org-The Center for Responsive Politics. http://www.opensecrets.org/. The Center for
Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its
effect on elections and public policy. Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the organization aims
to create a more educated voter, an involved citizenry and a more transparent and responsive
government.

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Fact Check.org. http://www.factcheck.org/. We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer advocate

for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the
factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates,
speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism
and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg to create a community
of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the
local, state and federal levels.
CEO Compensation. http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/.
Social Security Programs Throughout the World
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/index.html.
The Social Security Administration has a web page that provides detailed reports on social security
programs throughout the world. The web page divides the world into four regions, Europe, Asia and
the Pacific, Africa and the Americas. To find a nation in one of these regions click on the most
recent report (2012 or 2013) for the region then click on the pdf summary for the nation that
interests you.
The summaries provide detailed information about a number of social welfare programs in that
country. You can also download the entire region report.

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