Course Syllabus

Syllabus: IN-SWK-251  History and Analysis of Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.)

Course Information

Semester Year: FAll 2026

Section Number:  SWK251 / 17649 HIST & ANALYSIS OF SOC WEL POL

Course Delivery Method: Online

Class Meeting Dates (as applicable to delivery method):

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Course Description

This course explores the historical evolution of social welfare policy, emphasizing critical analysis of inequities and advocacy for justice. Students examine diverse sociopolitical contexts, develop foundational policy skills, and explore the interplay between social work and policy to promote equitable service delivery and empower marginalized communities through informed policy engagement. 

Course Competencies

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 EPAS Competencies addressed by this course:

Primary  

• Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice (CSWE, 2022 EPAS, p. 9) 

• Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice (CSWE, 2022 EPAS, p.10) 

Secondary 

• Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice (CSWE, 2022 EPAS, p.9)   

Course Objectives

Through active participation in the learning experiences and completion of the readings, assignments and learning projects offered throughout this course, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to:

• 251-01 Describe the broad historical themes relevant to an understanding of contemporary social welfare programs and issues.  

• 251-02 Identify the origins of major social welfare programs and policy developments, and the contributions of outstanding persons involved in such developments.  

• 251-03 Think critically about the relationships between economic, social, political, and cultural forces in social policy development and analysis, and the evolution of social welfare institutions.   

• 251-04 Analyze the major diverse value orientations in the United States, social welfare and social work, and the impact of these values conflicts on social and economic justice and diversity.    

• 251-05 Understand the historical development and characteristics of specific practice fields or service delivery systems, e.g., child welfare, mental health, income maintenance, health, school, and family social services.   

• 251-06 Identify the values commitments and ideological assumptions in social policy analysis.   

• 251-07 Identify the values, commitments, ideological assumptions and research- based evidence in social policy proposals.   

• 251-08 Analyze the influence of oppression, power, and privilege on policy development and implementation, examining how systemic inequities shape legislation, funding priorities, and access to social services  

Course Content

In this course, students will explore the history and evolution of policies and discuss the social, political and economic factors that influence policy.   Students will learn about and use social policy analysis frameworks to examine how policy is shaped and changes over time.   

Because policy practice is rarely done individually, this course is taught using Team Based Learning.   Building skills is considered as important as providing content.  Students will work in teams throughout the semester on a variety of assignments.  They will practice the skills of dividing work, communicating with each other outside of class, conflict resolution and determining how to best apply their strengths to assignments as well as using assignments to address areas of growth.  

Students complete team-based applications of policy analysis in most class periods.  Specific areas addressed include exploring the history of policies and how social norms and economic factors influence policy and change over time.   Examining policy issues from multiple perspectives and debating appropriate trade-offs and compromises in the development and application of policy. 

The signature assignment to measure competency is an individual policy analysis report. 

Required Course Materials

• Webcam, headset microphone, and any software programs mentioned in orientation, etc.
• Required Text: Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). New York: Pearson. 

Course Outline

Note: The following course schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor.

Assessment and Grading

Specific instructions for each assignment are posted in Canvas. Your instructor will also discuss details or answer any questions related to the assignment via Canvas Conversations (email) and/or during office hours.

All assignments (i.e., papers) should be double-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides. They should be carefully edited and proofread. They should use no smaller than a 12-pont font, and they should conform to APA style.

Grading scale

Grade minimums are as follows: 

Grading Standards

[Note: grades below C are Unsatisfactory in the BSW Program.] Grades of C and C+ signify work that is marginal in nature. The scholarly products or professional performances meet many but not all of the expected criteria. Grades of C- and lower reflect work that is unsatisfactory. The products or performances do not meet several, many, or most of the criteria. The work fails to approach the standards of quality expected of a future BSW-level professional.

Expectations for writing

Effective practice of generalist social work requires excellent writing skills to communicate information accurately and concisely to others involved in helping client systems. For this reason, formal writing assignments in social work courses will be evaluated both for the content and ideas presented as well as for the clarity of that presentation. All formal papers will be typed, double-spaced and paginated. In order to support professional expectations of utilizing evidence to inform practice at all levels, APA style is to be used to cite academic sources, including in-text references and bibliography. The formal APA manual and other guides to writing in APA style are available in the bookstore and are an expected resource for the BSW program.

Students experiencing writing difficulties are advised to seek assistance at the University Writing Center who can provide asynchronous or synchronous support. 

Grade of Incomplete 

Make-up assignments will be given only in cases of extreme and verifiable hardship. An unauthorized incomplete will be deemed as a failure to complete the course work, and a grade of “F” will be entered. Consult with the instructor in a timely manner if you are having problems impacting on the likelihood of success in this course.

Students are responsible for being prepared for each class session by having completed the assigned reading listed for each class. Participation through asking questions and making thoughtful comments on course content is encouraged. 

University and School Policies

Students should be familiar with the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct from which many of the policies below are derived. In addition, students should refer to the BSW General Student Handbook for more detailed information about these policies and additional resources available to them.