Software Problems

Week 3: Assignment 1: Social Welfare Wiki Assignment, Part 1: Social Problems

You might think that social problems only affect those who suffer from the problem directly, but they actually have much broader impact. A poor person may be supported by taxpayers’ money, or an abused child may later become an abuser. Social problems, if unchecked, may affect a large number of people in the society. As a social worker, you should be keen in discerning social problems and addressing them.

For this Assignment, read the Social Welfare Wiki Instructions document in the resources. Then, on your group Wiki post a description of a social problem that is of interest to you. The problem should be one that affects populations that social workers serve. Some examples of social problems include poverty, child welfare/abuse, and homelessness. Then, as a group, you will select one problem from among those your group members have posted and begin sharing information and resources that relate to the social problem your group selected. (e.g., a description of the problem’s prevalence in society, the populations impacted or an explanation of the theories that support the problem.) You will use the information you gain from your group’s collaboration to write a paper later this week. You may want to consult the assignment instructions to ensure that your group wiki addresses all aspects of the problem and includes resources to meet all of the requirements of the paper.

Week 5: Assignment 1: Social Welfare Wiki Assignment, Part 2: Researching the Social Problem

Responding to the social problems that affect the populations you serve as a social worker is only one aspect of the professional responsibility you must undertake. The ability to be proactive by identifying disparities and gaps in policies is just as important. However, in order to be an effective advocate and to fully participate in the policy process, it is important that you be able to connect theory and research to policy-making decisions. Having the knowledge and skills to implement new policies and policy alternatives without creating new disparities is a skill all social workers need to possess.

For this Assignment, review this week’s resources. Reflect on the issue you selected for your Social Problem paper in Week 3. Consider the research evidence on possible causes or explanations for that problem. Then, think about the theoretical explanations and approaches scholars and policy analysts used to discuss this issue and what policies have resulted from these discussions. Consider whether these policies are effective in resolving the problem. Review the social issue your group selected. Then, as a group, begin sharing information and resources related to the known explanations or causes of the problem you selected.

You will use the information you gain from your group’s collaboration to write a paper later this week. You may want to consult the assignment instructions to ensure that your group wiki addresses all aspects of the problem and includes resources to meet all of the requirements of the paper.