Part-Time Faculty: SWK 315: Social Welfare Policy and Services II (Spring 2027)

Course Description

This course builds on SWK 314. Where SWK 314 introduced the history, philosophies, value dilemmas underlying social welfare policy, SWK 315 provides an overview of the structure of major social welfare programs and policies, poverty, contemporary policy issues, and the political and analytic skills that social workers bring to bear on the development and implementation of social policy. Emphasis continues to be placed on understanding how societal attitudes and values, political institutions, economic goals and circumstances, and the population’s demographic characteristics have shaped and continue to shape our social welfare policy. Special attention is paid to the implications of policies and policy options for groups at risk, including specific racial and ethnic groups, elderly persons, gays and lesbians, immigrants, children, persons with disabilities, and women. The course explores the structure and organization of public assistance, social insurance, health, mental health, social service, criminal justice and housing policies and programs. Students are introduced to and apply basic techniques of policy analysis, with particular concern for examining the impacts of policy and programmatic dilemmas on low-income and other risk populations. Students also explore the advocacy and lobbying roles of social workers.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree required, with two plus years of post‑master’s experience.
• Previous undergraduate and graduate‑level social work teaching experience preferred.
• Must have experience teaching online.

Responsibilities

• Developing and/or updating a class syllabus.
• Preparation of lectures, projects, or other student assignments.
• Maintaining regularly scheduled office hours.
• Presenting instruction based on the competencies and performance levels of the course.
• Meeting all designated class periods.
• Submitting completed mid‑semester progress reports and final grades according to University regulations.
• Grading student assignments and exams in a timely manner.
• Completion and submission of CSWE competency‑based student outcomes for department assessment/accreditation.
• Providing departmentally sanctioned forms for completed student evaluations.
• Building a positive rapport with students and other faculty.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

Syracuse is a medium‑sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro‑area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military‑connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national