SWK6210 Advanced Policy Advocacy

Abstract

COURSE DESCRIPTION “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead ¶The mission of the social work profession is “to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty” (NASW Code of Ethics, Preamble, Revised in 2017). To further this mission, the NASW Code of Ethics implores social workers to “engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully (NASW Code of Ethics, 6.04(a), 2017). Social workers should also “advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice” (NASW Code of Ethics, 6.04(a), 2017. In order to effectively serve the mission of our profession, social workers need to be “aware of the impact of the political arena on practice” (NASW Code of Ethics, 6.04(a), 2017). ¶The two-course policy sequence for the master of social work program at Wurzweiler School of Social Work is designed to competently prepare students to support the mission of the social work profession. The current course builds on the theory, knowledge and skills of Social Welfare Organizations (SWK 6201) and other foundational courses, to further develop student understanding of social workers’ ethical responsibility to engage in social and political action, and put newly acquired skills into action. ¶This Social Welfare Policy course prepares students to actively practice policy analysis and advocacy through an exploration of theory, and the introduction and exercise of policy practice. This course employs a problem solving approach, similar to that explored in both practice and research courses. This course builds upon theory introduced in Human Behavior and the Social Environment courses and content infused throughout the curriculum related to social justice, equity, and equality for populations in need and at-risk. ¶Students in this course learn how to use policy practice to address a social problem of importance to them. Students choose a social problem that connects with the social work profession as a whole. This problem may intersect with student field placement experiences, career/future practice goals, and/or social problems of personal significance. Through a deeper exploration of theory, knowledge and skills, students will develop an expertise in policy related to their chosen problem that informs how they design and implement a strategy to impact policy to create positive social change, in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.