SSW160/161: Description of Assignments | Smith College Libraries



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June 2009
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Social Movements | Group (task force) Paper

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

A 6-8 page analysis of a social movement is due in late June to early July, in the 10th class meeting of the first summer term. SEE: SSW Calendar.

Identify a social movement that seeks to effect change in a policy. Briefly describe how the movement developed (or as much of its history as possible) the resistances the movement encountered and the theory that best describes it as a social movement. (Refer to Chapter 6 of text).

What is the ideological underpinning of the movement? Identify the policy changes the movement advocates and assess the merits of these policy changes.

go to SSW 160/161 Social Movements resources

GROUP (TASK FORCE) PAPER

A group project to consider a specific social policy and analyze it using the Blau and Abramovitz framework will be presented in class in the 10th week of the summer (mid-August). In addition to the analysis, the group should propose changes that will have the effect of addressing gaps or weaknesses in the selected policy.

Examples of policies	Links to Public Laws
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)	P.L. 101-336
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act	P.L. 104-193
Immigration Reform Act	P.L. 101-649
Defense of Marriage Act	P.L. 104-199
Employment Non-Discrimination Act	S.1284 (2001) & H.R.2015 (2007)
Civil Rights Act	P.L. 88-352
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act	P.L. 103-322
Adoption and Safe Families Act	P.L. 105-89
Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act	P.L. 108-96
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006	P.L. 109-248

Components of the project include...
	A brief summary of the policy
	A discussion of the problem(s) the policy is intended to address
	The policy analysis itself, comprised of an examination of the policy according to the five dimensions of the framework
	Proposals to improve the policy
On Reserve: HV 95 .B595 2007 The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy

General Information on the Assignment

A task force is a time-limited, goal-oriented group doing work of a policy / administrative nature. The objective of the task force assignment is to allow students to experience part of the clinical social worker’s role as a member of an agency, team, committee or task force that works productively toward the improvement of policy and service delivery on behalf of clients.

The task force process entails the following steps:

1.	Formation of a task force with the assignment of conducting a systematic analysis of a selected social policy using the analysis framework
2.	An option for the task force to meet with the instructor as a group for assistance in defining the scope of the analysis, identifying possible resources, resolving group conflicts, and planning/organizing the written report
3.	Conducting the necessary independent research
4.	Actively participating as a member of the task force in the formation of realistic and feasible policy recommendations

Guidelines for Organizing into Task Forces

For complete information see the course syllabus on your SSW 160/161 Moodle site.

This project works best when groups form based on ...
Common interests or goals	If some group members strive to produce a superlative product, while others are committed merely to satisfying minimum course requirements, the group is courting difficulties.
Common work styles	Group members should respect differences on such issues as fulfilling individual tasks and responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and working steadily vs. working in intense spurts of energy. Group members should clarify the working styles and the styles of potential collaboration as part of the process of forming work groups.
Complementary talents	Group members should possess complementary skills, talents, and areas of expertise, rather than uniform competencies that may leave the group with crucial gaps.

See the course syllabus in Moodle for logistical suggestions and more on the assignment.

Go to Group (Task Force) Paper Resources

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Last Updated: May 26, 2009