SWHS 1 - Introduction to Social Work and Human Services

Transfer Status

CSU

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: An introductory overview of the social welfare and societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. The course presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Special attention is given to the current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings. (C-ID SWHS 110).

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Discuss the historical evolution of the social welfare and human services in the United States.
2. Explain the current service delivery system environment in which social work and human service clients' needs are addressed.
3. Discuss and analyze ways of collaborating, negotiating, and advocating in working with and within social welfare and human service agencies and institutions.
4. Identify and be able to uphold the legal, ethical, and professional practice responsibilities of working with social work and human service organizations with attention to cultural humility and oppressed groups.
5. Explain the services provided by a local social welfare group agency.
6. Compare and contrast current theoretical perspectives for social workers.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

1. Class Activities
2. Discussion
3. Group Discussions
4. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
5. Lecture
6. Reading Assignments

1. Quizzes
2. Papers
3. Journal
4. Written Assignments
5. Short papers
6. Class Discussion

Reading Assignments

1. Read the chapter on psychosocial development theory and be prepared to discuss in class how this impacts the way social workers work with clients.
2. Read and research a local social service web page and write a 1-page summary of the structure, size and mission of that service. Make sure to include the web link for the social service that you researched.

Writing Assignments

1. From a historical perspective, briefly explain the varying motivations for societal social welfare. Be sure to include the change of policy context and capitalization/privatization in your response. Your reaction should be 1-2 pages.
2. In your own words, define social justice. Explain its use as an evaluation standard in social policy and programs. Your reaction should be 1-2 pages.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Interview Project: Select one professional social worker or other social service staff employed by (or volunteers with) a social service agency to interview.  The interview may be in person or by phone. The report on the interview should include (a) the individual's title/role with the agency, (b) the individual's education and training for their position, (c) a brief summary of the interview, and (d) your assessment, i.e. strengths and weaknesses of the agency, what the interview contributed to your knowledge of the agency and the population served by the agency, whether or not you would want to work for that agency and why/why not. The report of the interview should be no longer than 2-pages.
2. Career Center Project: Go to the Butte College Career Center or the Chico State Career Center and review jobs available in the social service field. Write a half-page summary of jobs available and what jobs may be of interest to you or may be used to fulfill your 50 hours of field work required to enter a social work program at a 4-year college.

Linda May Grobman. (2022). Days in the Lives of a Social Workers. New Social Worker Press, 5th. 9781929109845.

Marianne Woodside and Tricia McClam. (2019). An Introduction to Human Services. Cengage Learning, 9th. 9781337567176.

Frederic G. Reamer. (2010). A Guide to Essential Human Services. NASW Press, 2nd. 9780871013972.

Zero Cost Textbook

Social Work and Social Welfare: Modern Practice in a Diverse World, 2nd edition (Cullen and Cullen, 2021) (CC BY-NY) https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/82483/overview

Introduction to Social Work: A Look Across the Profession (Langford and Keaton, 2022) Mavs Open Press (CC BY-NY) https://uta.pressbooks.pub/introtosocialwork/

Counseling (Masters Required)

Psychology (Masters Required)