An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work:
Becoming a Change Agent, 3rd Edition
, Introduction to Social Work
Sample Syllabus
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of social work. It offers an
overview of the settings in which social workers practice, the populations they encounter,
the social problems they address, and the interventions they utilize. Students will have
the opportunity to develop an understanding of the historical underpinnings of the social
work profession and the social welfare system in the United States. The course will
examine the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills necessary for the effective practice of
social work with diverse populations. Students will be able to gain an understanding of
the profession that can aid them is assessing whether or not social work is the right
profession for them.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the history and values that provide the foundation for social work practice,
and the roles social workers have in various settings.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the American social welfare system,
and the history of various oppressed populations as it relates to their relationship with
the social welfare system;
3. Differentiate social work from other human service professions;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of oppression in its many forms and how it affects
social work clients and the practice of social work;
5. Understand social work’s mandate and current role in working toward social and
economic justice and civil rights;
6. Understand how social workers intervene to solve problems with individuals,
families, small groups, communities and organizations.
7. Have an understanding of social work values and code of ethics, and a better
understanding of your personal values, and be able to explain how both affect the
practice of social work.
8. Understand the role of social workers as social change agents.
Key Course Concepts
Social Welfare Entitlement
Social Work Public Assistance
Generalist Practice Child Abuse/Neglect
Change Agent Social Insurance
Social Work Code of Ethics In-Kind Programs
Values Feminization of Poverty
2
,Ethics Oppression
Social Settlement Movement Prejudice
Charity Organization Societies Discrimination
Social Settlement Movement Mental Illness
Institutional Developmental Disability
Residual Least Restrictive Environment
Worthy/Unworthy Poor Managed Care
Diversity Occupational Social Work
Criminal Justice
Course Outline
Week One - Introduction to Generalist Social Work Practice
Readings: Chapter 1 "What is Social Work?"
Week Two - The History and Current Practice of Social Work and Social Welfare
Readings: Chapter 2 "Social Welfare System”
Week Three - Social Work and Justice
Readings: Chapter 3 "Social Justice and Civil Rights"
Week Four - Poverty
Readings: Chapter 4 "Poverty and Economic Disparity"
Week Five - Social Work Interventions
Readings: Chapter 5 "Modes of Intervention"
Week Six - Social Work with Diverse Populations
Readings: Chapter 6 "Working with Diverse Populations”
Week Seven - Practice with Children and Families
Readings: Chapter 7 "Child Welfare: Working with Children and their Families"
Week Eight - Working with Older People
Readings: Chapter 8 "Gerontology: Working with People who are Older"
Week Nine - Practice in Health Care Settings
Readings: Chapter 9 "Health Care Services"
Week Ten - Social Work with People Who Have a Mental Disorder
Readings: Chapter 10 "Mental Health Services"
Week Eleven - Social Work in the Schools
Readings: Chapter 11 "School Social Work"
Week Twelve – Occupational Social Work
3
, Readings: Chapter 12 “The Workplace”
Week Thirteen - Substance Abuse
Readings: Chapter 13 "Substance Abuse"
Week Fourteen – Social Work in Criminal Justice
Readings: Chapter 14 "Violence, Victims, and Criminal Justice"
Week Fifteen – Crisis Intervention and Disasters
Readings: Chapter 15 “Crisis, Trauma, and Disasters”
Possible Course Assignments:
Values Paper
Write a 5-page paper in which you explore your own personal value system, and how it
fits with social work values and ethics. Address the following:
What are your core values?
Where/how did you learn these values?
In what areas do your values agree with social work values?
In what areas do your values diverge from social work values?
How might any areas of difference between your values and social work values
affect your ability to practice social work?
Social Service Agency Visit
Visit a social service agency and write a 5-page paper describing your experience. While
there, request a brochure or other written material that describes the agency. You should
include information about the following:
Who does the agency serve?
How do they determine who is eligible for services?
How is the agency funded?
How do clients learn about the services that the agency offers?
How do most clients get to the agency?
Compare and contrast what you saw in the agency with what you learned about
this type of agency in the textbook and in class.
(NOTE: This assignment can be done individually or in groups)
Interview Paper
For this assignment each student should interview (have a real conversation of some
length) with a person who is a member of an oppressed group. This includes an ethnic or
racial minority person, a woman, someone living in poverty, an elderly person, a person
with some type of disability, or a lesbian or gay man. Your objective should be to gather
information on the following:
4
Becoming a Change Agent, 3rd Edition
, Introduction to Social Work
Sample Syllabus
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of social work. It offers an
overview of the settings in which social workers practice, the populations they encounter,
the social problems they address, and the interventions they utilize. Students will have
the opportunity to develop an understanding of the historical underpinnings of the social
work profession and the social welfare system in the United States. The course will
examine the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills necessary for the effective practice of
social work with diverse populations. Students will be able to gain an understanding of
the profession that can aid them is assessing whether or not social work is the right
profession for them.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the history and values that provide the foundation for social work practice,
and the roles social workers have in various settings.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the American social welfare system,
and the history of various oppressed populations as it relates to their relationship with
the social welfare system;
3. Differentiate social work from other human service professions;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of oppression in its many forms and how it affects
social work clients and the practice of social work;
5. Understand social work’s mandate and current role in working toward social and
economic justice and civil rights;
6. Understand how social workers intervene to solve problems with individuals,
families, small groups, communities and organizations.
7. Have an understanding of social work values and code of ethics, and a better
understanding of your personal values, and be able to explain how both affect the
practice of social work.
8. Understand the role of social workers as social change agents.
Key Course Concepts
Social Welfare Entitlement
Social Work Public Assistance
Generalist Practice Child Abuse/Neglect
Change Agent Social Insurance
Social Work Code of Ethics In-Kind Programs
Values Feminization of Poverty
2
,Ethics Oppression
Social Settlement Movement Prejudice
Charity Organization Societies Discrimination
Social Settlement Movement Mental Illness
Institutional Developmental Disability
Residual Least Restrictive Environment
Worthy/Unworthy Poor Managed Care
Diversity Occupational Social Work
Criminal Justice
Course Outline
Week One - Introduction to Generalist Social Work Practice
Readings: Chapter 1 "What is Social Work?"
Week Two - The History and Current Practice of Social Work and Social Welfare
Readings: Chapter 2 "Social Welfare System”
Week Three - Social Work and Justice
Readings: Chapter 3 "Social Justice and Civil Rights"
Week Four - Poverty
Readings: Chapter 4 "Poverty and Economic Disparity"
Week Five - Social Work Interventions
Readings: Chapter 5 "Modes of Intervention"
Week Six - Social Work with Diverse Populations
Readings: Chapter 6 "Working with Diverse Populations”
Week Seven - Practice with Children and Families
Readings: Chapter 7 "Child Welfare: Working with Children and their Families"
Week Eight - Working with Older People
Readings: Chapter 8 "Gerontology: Working with People who are Older"
Week Nine - Practice in Health Care Settings
Readings: Chapter 9 "Health Care Services"
Week Ten - Social Work with People Who Have a Mental Disorder
Readings: Chapter 10 "Mental Health Services"
Week Eleven - Social Work in the Schools
Readings: Chapter 11 "School Social Work"
Week Twelve – Occupational Social Work
3
, Readings: Chapter 12 “The Workplace”
Week Thirteen - Substance Abuse
Readings: Chapter 13 "Substance Abuse"
Week Fourteen – Social Work in Criminal Justice
Readings: Chapter 14 "Violence, Victims, and Criminal Justice"
Week Fifteen – Crisis Intervention and Disasters
Readings: Chapter 15 “Crisis, Trauma, and Disasters”
Possible Course Assignments:
Values Paper
Write a 5-page paper in which you explore your own personal value system, and how it
fits with social work values and ethics. Address the following:
What are your core values?
Where/how did you learn these values?
In what areas do your values agree with social work values?
In what areas do your values diverge from social work values?
How might any areas of difference between your values and social work values
affect your ability to practice social work?
Social Service Agency Visit
Visit a social service agency and write a 5-page paper describing your experience. While
there, request a brochure or other written material that describes the agency. You should
include information about the following:
Who does the agency serve?
How do they determine who is eligible for services?
How is the agency funded?
How do clients learn about the services that the agency offers?
How do most clients get to the agency?
Compare and contrast what you saw in the agency with what you learned about
this type of agency in the textbook and in class.
(NOTE: This assignment can be done individually or in groups)
Interview Paper
For this assignment each student should interview (have a real conversation of some
length) with a person who is a member of an oppressed group. This includes an ethnic or
racial minority person, a woman, someone living in poverty, an elderly person, a person
with some type of disability, or a lesbian or gay man. Your objective should be to gather
information on the following:
4
