1. Outline the historical trends in child
care leading to the development of protective services for children.
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Review of required texts, and examination.
2. Specify various problems related to
current changes in demographics trends in the United states such as: relative
decreases in the size of the child population, changes in child dependency
ratios, family disruption caused by the increase in divorce rates, prevalence
of poverty in the United States, and ideological changes regarding the
nature of the family
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Review required texts, research paper, and examination.
3. Differentiate between supportive and
supplementary services as the first and second lines of defense in order
to support, reinforce, and strengthen the ability of parents and children
to meet the responsibilities of their respective statuses. Specifically,
explore services for children in the school system.
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Review of Handouts and supplementary texts.
4. Understand current societal problems
and their impact on children. Specifically, review current child welfare
policies and how those policies address current problems.
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Review of Exploring Child Welfare: A practicing perspective and research
paper.
5. Discuss issues surrounding the values
and ethics of the child welfare system and child welfare professionals
and their commitment to services on behalf of children.
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Case study, and review of required texts.
6. Analyze and discuss the substitute services
that are required when the situation is so damaging as to require parent
child relationship i.e., protective services, foster care, and adoption.
Demonstrate an awareness of the current status of those services in the
US.
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Research paper, examination, and review of required texts.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of child welfare
services in other countries and among other ethnic groups.
***Method of evaluating this objective:
Review of Child Welfare: A Multicultural Focus examination and research
paper.
Biography. One of the basic goal of a social work education is to assist students in the process of becoming more human and humane. Self-understanding is an important part of that process. Early childhood is a time that is often vaguely remembered, if at all. for the earliest parts of it, you have to rely on input from others. Gathering those bits and pieces of information into a coherent pattern can facilitate self-understanding. Thus, you will be encouraged to develop a "Conception to Age 10 Biography".
Since this biography is personal and meant to benefit you, I assume that the real benefit of such a biography lies in the doing of it. The value to you will depend on how thorough and how much reflection you put into it. Rather than grading the content, points will be awarded on the basis of the overall quality of the project. They will be collected on February 23rd. Points will be awarded on the following basis: (Extra credit points)
Examination. There will be only one test. The test will be a midterm examination and will be a combination of objective and essay questions. (30% of grade)
Review of Current Literature. Each student will be required to read 5 journal or newspaper articles during the semester and write a one to two page response to the article. Articles must be related to the subject area of the required research paper. Student should be prepared to present articles in class. (10% of grade)
Case Study. Each student will be required to present a case study of a family they have worked with either in their workplace or practicum setting. The case study should be comprehensive and can be a social history. Remember confidentiality. (10% of grade)
Scholarly Research Paper. Each student will be required
to write a scholarly research paper on a current societal problem and it’s
impact on children and families. You will be given format instructions.
This paper is a major requirement for this course. Suggested topics will
be available from the professor, However, students are encouraged to choose
their own topics. I would encourage you to write about something you are
interested in so that you might use the paper to do further research in
the future. You will be required to present the paper in class. (50% of
grade)
Berrick, Jill Duerr. Faces of Poverty. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1995.
Hegar, Rebecca and Maria Scannapico. Kinship Foster Care. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1999.
Besharov, Douglas J. Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned. New York: The Free Press, 1990.
Crosson-Tower, Cynthia. Exploring Child Welfare: A Practice Perspective. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998.
Kadushin, Afred. Child Welfare Services. New York: Macmillian Publishing Company, 1988.
Cohen, Neil A. Child Welfare: A Multicultural Focus. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1992.
American Association for Protecting Children. Understanding The Medical Diagnosis of Child Maltreatment. Denver: The American Humane Association, 1995.
Stein, Theodore J. Child Welfare And The Law. New York: Longman, 1991.
Costin, Lela B. and Charles A. Rapp. Child Welfare Policies & Practice. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984.
Korbin, Jil E. Child Abuse and Neglect: A Cross Cultural Perspective.
Week 1 Introduction to Course/Review of Syllabus
1/14/99 Read and Discuss the Mary Ellen Story
Ice Breakers/Overview of Child Welfare
Week 2 What is the history of Child Welfare in this Country?
1/21/99 Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 1
Allen-Mears, chapter 1
Movie: Homecoming
Week 3 The Changing Family and the Impact of Culture on Families
1/28/99 Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 2
Allen-Mears, chapter 5
Class Exercise: Culture Search and Quiz
Week 4 What are the facts of poverty and it’s Impact on children in
the U.S.?
2/4/99 Outline of Research Paper due
Discuss Cases of women and children experiencing poverty
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 3
Week 5 Current Societal Problems and their Impact on Children. What
are the solutions?
2/11/99 Movie: Losing Isaiah
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 4
Allen-Mears, chapter 9
Week 6 Serving the Developing Child: Daycare. What is Daycare and why
do we need it?
2/18/99 Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 5
Allen-Mears, chapters 2 and 3
Movie: Where Innocence is Lost
Week 7 Serving the Developing Child: School Social Work. Are School
social Workers
2/25/99 really needed?
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 6
Allen-Mears, chapter 8
Class discussion: How are School Social Workers dealing with the impact
of violence in the school system? (Bring in newspaper articles for discussion.
Week 8 Midterm Exam
3/4/99 Biographies Due
Week 9 Spring Break: Enjoy
3/11/99
Week 10 Counseling for Families and Children. Who’s administering these
services?
3/18/99 Family Centered Services
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapters 7, 8
Movie: When a Man Loves a Woman
Week 11 Overview of Child Abuse and Neglect\Court Services on Behalf
of Children
3/25/99 Case Studies due
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 9,10
Allen-Mears, chapter 7
Week 12 Child Abuse and Neglect cont....
4/1/99 Movie: Eves Bayou
Week 13 Services to Children outside of their Homes: What are the current
issues facing 4/8/99 children in foster care and adoption? A discussion
of international adoptions.
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapters 12, 13, 14
Speaker: Issues surrounding adoption in China
Week 14 Paper Presentations
4/15/99
Week 15 Paper Presentations
4/22/99 Final Research Papers due ( 2 copies please)
Week 16 Paper Presentations
4/29/99 What is the future of Children?
Readings: Crosson-Towers, chapter 15
Additional Comments:
Other readings might be assigned throughout the semester. If you have to be absent please notify me before the class. However, I would encourage everyone to please attend class.
There is no makeup exam for the midterm, however, you will be allowed to take it only if you have a doctors note stating that you were unconscious. (Smile) No really, if you are sick you will be excused with a doctors note. Thank you.
If you have any other questions, please contact my office and if you are experiencing problems, communication with me is the key to a successful semester.