SOCW 2362
Social Welfare as a Social Institution
Assigned Paper Instructions
General Criteria:
· The assigned paper must be 8-10 pages in length, typed, double-spaced and using standard font size of 12.
· Through research and evaluation of current event articles, students will identify a social problem, define the problem, and evaluate how social welfare policy relates (positively and negatively) to that problem.
· Reference material is required to support discussion of the social problem and related policy implications. At least six outside references from professional journals and/or books are required. Credible websites may also be used as references in addition to the six required professional journals and/or books.
· The following areas should be addressed within the paper:
- Identification and definition of social problem or area of social functioning
- History of the social problem and its impact on diverse client systems
- Previous attempts to solve the problem, both formally and informally
- Description of the present status of the problem and implications for generalist social work practice
- Identification and description of social policies currently in place to address the identified problem
- Discussion of the targeted group for these policies
- Discussion of the policies from the standpoint of social and economic justice in regards to fairness, inadequacies, gaps and stigma
- Discussion of the strengths and limitations of these policies
· Points will be deducted if the assigned paper is turned in later than the due date.
Examples of social problems that may be considered for research:
· Oppression or discrimination in the United States (based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc.)
· Poverty and/or homelessness in the United States (children and/or families)
· Health care in the United States (ex. for uninsured children and/or families)
· Mental health problems
· Substance abuse/addiction
· Crime in the Unites States (services to victims and/or offenders)
· Child abuse in the United States
· Other problems that may have had a negative affect on social functioning in the United States
What to do once you have selected a social problem:
· Research the definition and history of the social problem in the United States. The Encyclopedia of Social Work may be a good start for this portion of the paper.
· Visit special interest group websites, public policy websites, and/or domestic policy websites to investigate policies formulated, past and present, that address the problem.
· Research library sources for additional policies that address the problem.
· Follow the above listed guidelines for completing the paper.
Additional formatting instructions:
· The best and most relevant method for formatting your paper is to use the guidelines set forth in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Go to tjc.edu/library and click on Subject Guides. Then choose Off-Campus Library Support. Choose the tab "Citation Help." There are links on the left-hand side with examples to help construct citations.
· Be sure to provide appropriate citations for all materials used to write your paper. These citations should appear within as well as at the end of your paper (on a works cited page).
· Plagiarism is a serious violation of the TJC Student Code of Conduct and will result in appropriate penalty. More information regarding plagiarism can be found from the TJC library website. Go to tjc.edu/library and click on Subject Guides. Then choose Off-Campus Library Support. Choose the tab "Citation Help." There are links on the left-hand side with examples to help construct citations.
