SOCW6361

Required Readings

SOCW 6361 Webliography

These websites will be required throughout the semester. Become familiar with these websites, especially when doing research for your assignments.

Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice. (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series.

Chapter 2, "Articulating Four Rationales for Participating in Policy Advocacy" (pp. 31-69)

Chapter 3, "Obtaining Skills and Competencies for Policy Advocacy" (pp. 70–98)

Martin, M. E. (2012). Philosophical and religious influences on social welfare policy in the United States: The ongoing effect of Reformed theology and social Darwinism on attitudes toward the poor and social welfare policy and practice. Journal of Social Work, 12(1), 51–64.

Moyes, J., & Quadagno, J. (2002). Political theories of the welfare state. Social Service Review, 76(1), 34–57.

Optional Resources

MSW home page

Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

Small Group Discussion: Social Change Projects

What does policy have to do with clinical social work? Connecting policy to direct practice can be a challenge for some micro social workers. However, policies affect the lives of each and every client who walks through your door. Policies affect clients ability to access and pay for services. Policies also affect environmental conditions that influence individual experience.

During this term, you will have an opportunity to create a Social Change Project. In Week 3, you will identify a social problem and a policy related to this problem. In Week 6, you will present a proposal for your social advocacy project that you will complete this term. In Week 8, you will analyze the strengths and weakness of the current policy. In Week 9, you will present a policy alternative. Finally, in Week 10, you will submit the final project by compiling the Weeks 3, 6, 8, 9 assignments and revising based on instructor feedback. You will also present on the actions and outcomes of your advocacy.

For this week's small group discussion, you discuss ideas for your individual Social Change project. The Project will be completed individually; however, you discuss your Project in this week’s small group discussion to help you develop your idea based on peer feedback.

By Day 4

Post your responses to the following question presented for the Group Discussion:

• Explain what area you are interested in engaging in advocacy.


• Briefly, identify the related social problem and types of policies that may impact the social problem.


• Identify 2-3 ideas you are considering for your Social Change Project.


• Explain how the project may impact clients in a clinical social work setting.