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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL WORK

Course Title:	History and Philosophy of Social Work
Department:	Social Work
Instructor:	Keith F. Harris, M.S.W., C.S.W., BCD E-Mail Vita
Prerequisites:	Undergraduate course in Social Work

Required Text:   Online Bookstore

The Reluctant Welfare State, 5th Edition, by Bruce S. Jansson. Wadsworth, 2004. ISBN: 0534574696

Course Objective:

Upon the completion of this course, the student will have an increased knowledge of the history and the philosophy regarding the American social welfare state. This course will also focus on the historical oppression of diverse groups including women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, gay men and lesbians, older Americans, children, and people with physical and mental disabilities. This course will evaluate the social policies, past and current that greatly impacts the quality of life for the previously mentioned diverse groups.

Course Purpose:

This course will feature enhanced attention to the ethical reasoning surrounding a range of issues affecting the lives of many people. From a historical perspective, this course will attempt to increase the student's understanding of how the lives of ordinary people and social work clients are deeply affected by social policies of local, state, and federal governments.

Method:

1. Assigned reading assignments.
2. E-mail correspondence one on one with the instructor at least once during the eight week course. Please submit the following information to the instructor as soon as possible: name, e-mail address, user name, course expectations, brief Social Work experience if any or other work experience, educational background and any other special interests you may wish to share.
3. Message board participation for individual and group discussions are available upon request.
4. Classroom (Chat room) discussions are also possible if desired.
5. Exams: Midterm and Final. Each exam is worth 50% of the course grade.

Grading Scale:

A	100-90% Excellent
B	89-80% Above Average
C	79-70% Average
D	69-60% Below Average
F	59-below Failing

Assignments:

Week 1: Read Text, Chap. 1 & 2
Week 2: Read Text, Chap. 3 & 4
Week 3: Read Text, Chap. 5 & 6
Week 4: Read Text, Chap. 7

NOTE: Upon completion of week 4 reading assignment, e-mail instructor for discussion and permission to take the mid-term exam.

Week 5: Read Text, Chap. 8 & 9
Week 6: Read Text, Chap. 10 & 11
Week 7: Read Text, Chap. 12 & 13
Week 8: Read Text, Chap. 14

NOTE: Upon completion of week 8 reading assignment, e-mail instructor for discussion and permission to take the final exam.