Social Welfare

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

About the Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Under the jurisdiction of the College of Letters and Science, the School of Social Welfare administers the Undergraduate Group Major in Social Welfare leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. This liberal arts major, with a focus on the social sciences and core social welfare courses, introduces students to problems, policies, and methods in the social welfare field and allows students to test their career interest in social work before employment or graduate professional education. It also serves as a flexible pre-professional major for various other fields.

Declaring the Major

Social welfare is one of five designated capped (impacted) majors in the College of Letters & Science. As a result, not all students seeking to declare the major will be able to do so. A limit of 130 students can be declared each year. Freshman-entry students, those who began their first year of college at UC Berkeley, are declared on a first-come, first-served basis once they have completed the program’s prerequisites. Since declarations are processed in chronological order, interested students should contact Sherman Boyson, the Undergraduate Adviser, in 129 Haviland Hall, as early as possible during the semester that their prerequisites will be completed. Students should complete their prerequisites by the end of their third semester in order to be assured of a place in the major.

Transfer students should complete the prerequisites at their community college and list social welfare as their intended major when they apply for admission to UC Berkeley. Once accepted, they should attend one of the Cal Student Orientations (CalSO) that are held in June and July and meet with the undergraduate adviser during the orientation in order to declare. Students should bring to the orientation their transcripts that verify the completion of the prerequisites (unofficial copies are acceptable). Transfer students unable to attend CalSO should contact Sherman Boyson directly. Transfer students who do not list Social Welfare as their intended major will only be allowed to declare if room is available to accommodate such students.

College of Letters & Science policy requires freshman-entry students to declare an impacted major before they earn 80 units including units in progress. Transfer students must declare an impacted major before their first semester at UC Berkeley has been completed.

Honors Program

The honors program in social welfare provides an opportunity for qualified undergraduates to investigate thoroughly an area of interest, to work closely with a faculty member, and to produce a paper of some magnitude. Students who meet the eligibility requirements, which include a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) overall and in the major and completion of SOC WEL 110 and SOC WEL 112, may enroll in H195 in their senior year. The fall H195 (one unit) is a two-hour biweekly seminar addressing topic identification, library research, and the preparation of an annotated bibliography and essay prospectus. The spring H195 (three units) is an individual tutorial in which students prepare the honors essay under the supervision of their faculty essay advisers.

Minor Program

There is no minor program in Social Welfare.

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Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit, other than courses listed which are offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. Other exceptions to this requirement are noted as applicable.
  2. No more than one upper-division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, with the exception of minors offered outside of the College of Letters and Science.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper- and lower-division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

Upper-division Requirements

Core Courses
SOC WEL 110Social Work As a Profession3
SOC WEL 112Social Welfare Policy3
SOC WEL 114Practice in Social Work3
SOC WEL 116Current Topics in Social Welfare2
Social Science Electives
Select a minimum of five approved social science and/or related electives from other departments, for a minimum 12 units (see below for further information)

Social Science Electives

A minimum of five approved social science electives, totaling at least 18 units. At least three of the five must be selected from a primary social science department. The remaining 2 may come from either a primary or a secondary department.

Approved Primary Social Sciences Courses

ANTHRO 112Special Topics in Biological Anthropology4
ANTHRO 115Introduction to Medical Anthropology4
ANTHRO 119Special Topics in Medical Anthropology4
ANTHRO 121ACAmerican Material Culture4
ANTHRO 139Controlling Processes4
ANTHRO 141Comparative Society4
ANTHRO 142Kinship and Family4
ANTHRO 147AAnthropology of Gender4
ANTHRO C147BSexuality, Culture, and Colonialism4
ANTHRO 149Psychological Anthropology4
ANTHRO 156BCulture and Power4
ANTHRO 157Anthropology of Law4
ANTHRO 158Religion and Anthropology4
ECON 100AEconomic Analysis--Micro4
ECON 100BEconomic Analysis--Macro4
ECON 101AEconomic Theory--Micro4
ECON 101BEconomic Theory--Macro4
ECON 105History of Economic Thought4
ECON C110Game Theory in the Social Sciences4
ECON 113American Economic History4
ECON 115The World Economy in the Twentieth Century4
ECON 119Psychology and Economics4
ECON 121Industrial Organization and Public Policy4
ECON C125Environmental Economics4
ECON 131Public Economics4
ECON 151Labor Economics4
ECON 152Wage Theory and Policy4
ECON 153Labor Economics Seminar4
ECON 155Urban Economics3
ECON 157Health Economics4
ECON C171Economic Development4
ECON 174Global Poverty and Impact Evaluation4
ECON C175Economic Demography3
POL SCI 102The American Presidency4
POL SCI 103Congress4
POL SCI 104Political Parties4
POL SCI 105The Politician4
POL SCI 106AAmerican Politics: Campaign Strategy - Media4
POL SCI 118ACThree American Cultures4
POL SCI 122APolitics of European Integration4
POL SCI C131AApplied Econometrics and Public Policy4
POL SCI C135Game Theory in the Social Sciences4
POL SCI 137ARevolutionary Change4
POL SCI 138ACourse Not Available4
POL SCI 138DCourse Not Available4
POL SCI 138EThe Varieties of Capitalism: Political Economic Systems of the World4
POL SCI 138FCourse Not Available4
POL SCI 147GThe Welfare State in Comparative Perspective4
POL SCI 150The American Legal System4
POL SCI 157AConstitutional Law of the United States4
POL SCI 157BConstitutional Law of the United States4
POL SCI 161Public Opinion, Voting and Participation4
POL SCI 164APolitical Psychology and Involvement4
POL SCI 171California Politics4
POL SCI 175AUrban and Metropolitan Government and Politics4
POL SCI 181Public Organization and Administration4
POL SCI 183Course Not Available4
POL SCI 186Course Not Available4
PSYCH C105Course Not Available
PSYCH 106Psychology of Dreams4
PSYCH 109History of Psychology3
PSYCH 112Course Not Available4
PSYCH 119Course Not Available3
PSYCH 120Course Not Available4
PSYCH C129Scientific Approaches to Consciousness3
PSYCH 130Clinical Psychology3
PSYCH 131Developmental Psychopathology3
PSYCH 132ACCourse Not Available4
PSYCH 133Psychology of Sleep3
PSYCH 136Human Sexuality3
PSYCH 138Course Not Available4
PSYCH 140Developmental Psychology3
PSYCH 141Development During Infancy3
PSYCH 146Developmental and Biological Processes in Attachment3
PSYCH 150Psychology of Personality3
PSYCH 156Human Emotion3
PSYCH 160Social Psychology3
PSYCH 163Course Not Available4
PSYCH 164Social Cognition3
PSYCH 166ACCultural Psychology3
PSYCH 167ACStigma and Prejudice3
PSYCH 180Industrial-Organizational Psychology3
SOC WEL 107Foundations, Philanthropy, and the Social Services: Grant Writing for Program Development3
SOC WEL 148Substance Abuse Treatment2
SOC WEL 174Immigrants in the U.S.: Issues of Identity, Conflict, and Adaptation2
SOC WEL 175ACThe Dialogue of Diversity: Deciphering the Cues and Codes of Intercultural Communication3
SOC WEL 180Course Not Available3
SOC WEL 186Domestic Violence4
SOC WEL 174ACImmigrants in the U.S.: Identity, Conflict, and Accommodation3
SOC WEL 200Theories for Multilevel Practice (series MSW courses may be used as a Primary Elective)2
SOCIOL 110Organizations and Social Institutions4
SOCIOL 111Sociology of the Family4
SOCIOL 111CSociology of Childhood4
SOCIOL 111PFamilies, Inequality and Social Policy4
SOCIOL C112Sociology of Religion4
SOCIOL 113ACSociology of Education4
SOCIOL 114Sociology of Law4
SOCIOL 115Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 116Sociology of Work4
SOCIOL 117Sport As a Social Institution4
SOCIOL 120Economy and Society4
SOCIOL 121Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Social and Cultural Context4
SOCIOL 123Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 124Sociology of Poverty4
SOCIOL 126Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 127Development and Globalization4
SOCIOL 128Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 130ACSocial Inequalities: American Cultures4
SOCIOL 131ACourse Not Available4
SOCIOL 131ACRace and Ethnic Relations: U.S. American Cultures4
SOCIOL 131FFour Centuries of Racial Vision and Division in the U.S.4
SOCIOL 133Sociology of Gender4
SOCIOL 135Sexual Cultures4
SOCIOL 136Urban Sociology4
SOCIOL 137ACEnvironmental Justice: Race, Class, Equity, and the Environment4
SOCIOL 139Selected Topics in Social Inequality4
SOCIOL 140Politics and Social Change4
SOCIOL 141Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 145Social Change4
SOCIOL 145ACSocial Change: American Cultures4
SOCIOL 145LSocial Change in Latin America4
SOCIOL 146Contemporary Immigration in Global Perspective4
SOCIOL 148Social Policy4
SOCIOL 150Social Psychology4
SOCIOL 150ACourse Not Available4
SOCIOL 151Personality and Social Structure4
SOCIOL 152Deviance and Social Control4
SOCIOL 160Sociology of Culture4
SOCIOL 165Social Networks4
SOCIOL 166Society and Technology4
SOCIOL 167Virtual Communities/Social Media4
SOCIOL 169Selected Topics in Sociology of Culture4
SOCIOL 180CComparative Perspectives on U.S. and European Societies: Culture4
SOCIOL 180IComparative Perspectives on U.S. and European Societies: Inequality4
SOCIOL 181Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 183Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 184Course Not Available4
SOCIOL 186American Society4
SOCIOL 189Selected Topics in Comparative Perspectives4

Approved Secondary Social Science Courses

AFRICAM 107Race and Public Policy3
AFRICAM 109Black and Male in American Life3
AFRICAM 111Race, Class, and Gender in the United States3
AFRICAM 116Slavery and African American Life Before 18654
AFRICAM 117African Americans in the Industrial Age, 1865-19704
AFRICAM 121Black Political Life in the United States4
AFRICAM 122African American Families in American Society3
AFRICAM 124Course Not Available4
AFRICAM 125History of the Civil Rights Movement4
AFRICAM 126Course Not Available4
AFRICAM 131Caribbean Societies and Cultures3
AFRICAM C132Course Not Available
AFRICAM C133ARace, Identity, and Culture in Urban Schools3
AFRICAM 137Multicultural Communities3
AFRICAM 138Black Nationalism4
AFRICAM 139Selected Topics of African American Social Organization and Institutions1-4
AMERSTD 101Examining U.S. Cultures in Time4
AMERSTD 102Examining U.S. Cultures in Place4
ASAMST 120Course Not Available4
ASAMST 121Chinese American History4
ASAMST 122Japanese American History4
ASAMST 123Korean American History4
ASAMST 124Filipino American History4
ASAMST 125Contemporary Issues of Southeast Asian Refugees in the U.S4
ASAMST 126Southeast Asian Migration and Community Formation4
ASAMST 127South Asian American Historical and Contemporary Issues4
ASAMST 128ACMuslims in America4
ASAMST 130Course Not Available4
ASAMST 141Law in the Asian American Community4
ASAMST 143Asian American Health3
ASAMST 145Course Not Available4
ASAMST 146Asian Americans and Education4
ASAMST 150Gender and Generation in Asian American Families4
ASAMST 151Asian American Women: Theory and Experience4
UGBA 107The Social, Political, and Ethical Environment of Business3
UGBA 170Ethical Leadership in Business2
CHICANO 135ALatino Narrative Film: to the 1980s4
CHICANO 135BLatino Narrative Film Since 19904
CHICANO 145Course Not Available4
CHICANO 150ACourse Not Available4
CHICANO 150BHistory of the Southwest: Mexican-United States War to Present4
CHICANO 159Mexican Immigration4
CHICANO 161Central American Peoples and Cultures4
CHICANO 165Cuba, the United States and Cuban Americans4
CHICANO 172Chicanos and the Educational System4
CHICANO 174Chicanos, Law, and Criminal Justice4
CHICANO 176Chicanos and Health Care3
CHICANO 179Course Not Available3
CHICANO 180Topics in Chicano Studies3
CY PLAN 110Introduction to City Planning4
CY PLAN 111Introduction to Housing: An International Survey3
CY PLAN 113BCommunity and Economic Development3
CY PLAN 114Introduction to Urban and Regional Transportation3
CY PLAN 118ACThe Urban Community4
CY PLAN 119Planning for Sustainability3
CY PLAN 120Community Planning and Public Policy for Disability3
DEMOG 145ACThe American Immigrant Experience4
DEMOG C164Impact of Government Policies on Poor Children and Families4
DEMOG C165Family and Household in Comparative Perspective3
DEMOG C175Economic Demography3
EDUC 114AEarly Development and Education4
EDUC 140ACLiteracy: Individual and Societal Development3
EDUC 181Course Not Available4
EDUC 182ACThe Politics of Educational Inequality4
EDUC 185Gender and Education: International Perspectives3
EDUC 186ACThe Southern Border4
EDUC 187Course Not Available4
EDUC 189Democracy and Education4
EDUC 190Critical Studies in Education4
EDUC 191PCourse Not Available4
EDUC C193BCourse Not Available
ESPM 161Environmental Philosophy and Ethics4
ESPM 163ACEnvironmental Justice: Race, Class, Equity, and the Environment4
ESPM C167Environmental Health and Development4
ETH STD 126Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality4
ETH STD 130The Making of Multicultural America: A Comparative Historical Perspective4
ETH STD 135Contemporary U.S. Immigration4
ETH STD 136Immigrant Women4
ETH STD 141Racial Politics in America4
ETH STD 144ACRacism and the U.S. Law: Historical Treatment of Peoples of Color4
ETH STD 147Women of Color in the United States4
ETH STD 150People of Mixed Racial Descent4
ETH STD 159ACThe Southern Border4
GWS 100ACWomen in American Culture3
GWS 103Identities Across Difference4
GWS 111Special Topics (Requires advance approval)1-4
GWS 130ACGender, Race, Nation, and Health4
GWS 139Women, Gender, and Work4
GWS 143Women, Proverty, and Globalization4
GWS C146Course Not Available
GPP 115Global Poverty: Challenges and Hopes in the New Millennium4
HMEDSCI C133Death, Dying, and Modern Medicine: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives4
HMEDSCI 150Introduction to Aging Issues and Opportunities in Aging Professions2
HISTORY 111BTopics in the History of Southest Asia: Modern Southeast Asia4
HISTORY 111CTopics in the History of Southest Asia: Political and Cultural History of Vietnam4
HISTORY 114BIndia: Modern South Asia4
HISTORY 120ACAmerican Environmental and Cultural History4
HISTORY 125AHistory of African-Americans and Race Relations in the United States: The History of Black People and Race Relations, 1550-18614
HISTORY 125BHistory of African-Americans and Race Relations in the United States: Soul Power: African American History 1861-19804
HISTORY 127ACCalifornia4
HISTORY 131BSocial History of the United States: Creating Modern American Society: From the End of the Civil War to the Global Age4
HISTORY 136Gender Matters in 20th Century America4
HISTORY 137ACThe Repeopling of America4
HISTORY 139BCourse Not Available4
HISTORY 139CCourse Not Available4
HISTORY 140BMexico: Modern Mexico4
HISTORY 141BSocial History of Latin America: Social History of Modern Latin America4
HISTORY 146Latin American Women4
ISF 100AIntroduction to Social Theory and Cultural Analysis4
ISF 100BIntroduction to Social Theory and Cultural Analysis4
LEGALST 102Policing and Society4
LEGALST 132ACImmigration and Citizenship4
LEGALST 145Law and Economics I4
LEGALST 147Law and Economics II4
LEGALST 151Law, Self, and Society3
LEGALST 155Government and the Family4
LEGALST 160Punishment, Culture, and Society4
LEGALST 163Adolescence, Crime and Juvenile Justice4
LEGALST 168Sex, Reproduction and the Law4
LEGALST 170Crime and Criminal Justice4
LEGALST 181Psychology and the Law4
LEGALST 182Law, Politics and Society4
LEGALST 184Sociology of Law4
LEGALST 186Course Not Available4
LEGALST 187Course Not Available4
LGBT 100Special Topics4
LGBT 145Interpreting the Queer Past: Methods and Problems in the History of Sexuality4
LGBT 146Cultural Representations of Sexuality4
LGBT C146ACultural Representations of Sexualities: Queer Literary Culture4
LGBT C147BSexuality, Culture, and Colonialism4
LGBT C148Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality4
NATAMST 100Native American Law4
NATAMST 101Native American Tribal Governments4
NATAMST 104Course Not Available4
NATAMST 149Gender in Native American Society4
NATAMST 176History of Native Americans in the Southwest4
NATAMST 178ACAfricans in Indian Country4
NATAMST 190Seminar on Advanced Topics in Native American Studies1-4
PACS 125ACWar, Culture, and Society4
PACS 126International Human Rights4
PACS 150Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice3
PACS 154Multicultural Conflict Resolution4
PACS 164AIntroduction to Nonviolence3
PACS 170Conflict Resolution, Social Change, and the Cultures of Peace4
ART 165Art, Medicine, and Disabilities4
PB HLTH 103Drugs, Health, and Society2
PB HLTH 105Policy, Planning, and Evaluation of Health Promotion in a College Setting3
PB HLTH 107Violence, Social Justice, and Public Health2
PB HLTH 113Campus/Community Health Impact Program3
PB HLTH 112Global Health: A Multidisciplinary Examination4
PB HLTH 114Course Not Available4
PB HLTH 126Health Economics and Public Policy3
PB HLTH 130ACCourse Not Available4
PB HLTH 131ACCourse Not Available4
PB HLTH 150AIntroduction to Epidemiology and Human Disease4
PB HLTH 150DIntroduction to Health Policy and Management3
PB HLTH 150EIntroduction to Community Health and Human Development3
PB HLTH C155Sociology of Health and Medicine4
PB HLTH 180The Evolution of Human Sexuality2
PB HLTH 181Poverty and Population3
PB HLTH 183The History of Medicine, Public Health, and the Allied Health Sciences3
PUB POL 101Introduction to Public Policy Analysis4
PUB POL 103Wealth and Poverty4
PUB POL 117ACRace, Ethnicity, and Public Policy4
PUB POL 156Program and Policy Design4
PUB POL C164Impact of Government Policies on Poor Children and Families4
PUB POL 179Public Budgeting4
PUB POL 184Course Not Available4
PUB POL 190Special Topics in Public Policy1-4
RHETOR 152ACRace and Order in the New Republic4
UGIS 110Introduction to Disability Studies3
UGIS 112Women and Disability3
UGIS C132Course Not Available
UGIS C133Death, Dying, and Modern Medicine: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives4

Supplemental Units

Students who choose 5 Social Science Electives which do not total 18 units will need additional coursework to supplement the 5 electives. Supplemental units can be chosen from the approved courses in either a primary or a secondary social science department, from elective Social Welfare coursework, group study, or community service units. Courses for supplemental units may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

College Requirements

Undergraduate students in the College of Letters and Science must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.

For detailed lists of courses that fulfill college requirements, please see the College of Letters and Sciences  page in this bulletin. 

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley. 

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a U.S. resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

American Cultures

American Cultures is the one requirement that all undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.

Reading and Composition

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing and critical thinking the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition. Students must complete a first-level reading and composition course by the end of their second semester and a second-level course by the end of their fourth semester.

Breadth Requirements

The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship.  Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.

Unit Requirements

  • 120 total units, including at least 60 L&S units

  • Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units

  • Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department

Residence Requirements

For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters and Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through University Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to see an adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.

Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.

Senior Residence Requirement

After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your B.A. degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.

You may use a Berkeley summer session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence Requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the College.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or the UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence Requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding EAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.

Student Learning Goals

Mission

The undergraduate social welfare major reflects the School’s goal to provide students with a broad-based introduction to America’s social welfare problems and social policies within a social science context.

Students gain knowledge of organized networks of public and private social services, and the basic practice methods associated with the social work profession.

In doing so, students acquire the knowledge needed to understand, address, and actively participate in the amelioration of critical social problems in American Society.

Students in the undergraduate group major learn about the foundations of social welfare through substantive areas taught in the four core courses: SW110: Introduction to the Profession of Social Work; SW112: Social Welfare Policy; SW114: Social Welfare Practice; and, SW116: Current Topics in Social Welfare. 

Learning Goals for the Major

  1. Provide an overview of the field of social welfare within the context of the major social science disciplines (e.g., sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, and political science) as part of a liberal arts program
  2. Provide an overview of the history and domains of the social work with attention to cultural competence (e.g., racism, discrimination, difference sensitivity, acceptance and tolerance)
  3. Provide an overview of the welfare state as a collective enterprise addressing human need through a description of social welfare policies (e.g., public assistance, social security, child welfare and child protection, mental health and health care) and practices (e.g., case management, community advocacy, family support, crisis intervention)
  4. Foster the intellectual resources and critical thinking skills relevant to a wide range of careers and civic responsibilities

Courses

Social Welfare

SOC WEL 10 An Introduction to American Social Welfare in World Context 2 Units

This course will consider the U.S. social welfare system in comparison with systems in other parts of the world, including Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. It will examine the history and role of "welfare," "the welfare state," and the social work profession in the U.S. and in other countries and will consider key issues in contemporary social work practice. Topics such as discrimination, economic deprivation, and oppression and their effects on people of color, women, and gay and lesbian people will be highlighted.

SOC WEL 20 Confronting America's Social Problems 2 Units

America's recognition of and response to major social problems usually involves a mix of hyperbole and denial, inaction and innovation, volunteerism and professionalization, feasts and famines of resources, media applause and attack, and unsustained successes and long-term failures. What is usually lacking is a consistent, thoughtful effort. Yet help is given and lives are changed, for better and sometimes worse. Social Welfare 20 considers the American approach to social problems through an examination of issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, poverty and inequality, homelessness, family violence, and child maltreatment. Each area will be explored in terms of history, causes and dimensions, and human service and social policy responses.

SOC WEL 24 Freshman Seminar 1 Unit

The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment is limited to 15 freshmen.

SOC WEL 97 Field Studies in Social Welfare 1 - 3 Units

Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of social welfare in off-campus non-profit and governmental organizations.

SOC WEL 98 Group Study in Social Welfare 1 - 3 Units

Group study on selected social welfare topics. Open to freshmen and sophomores.

SOC WEL 98BC Berkeley Connect in Social Welfare 1 Unit

Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend lectures and panel discussions featuring department faculty and alumni, and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate.

SOC WEL 105 Introduction to Child Welfare in California and the U.S. 2 Units

This course introduces students to the purpose, functions, and programs of the public child welfare system in the United States, with a particular focus on California, in a historical context, and with an emphasis on social justice and diversity concerns in policy-making and service delivery. The course explores U.S. child welfare history/historical traumas, cultural and diversity issues, ethical considerations, mandated reporting of suspected child maltreatment, family and kinship supports, allied community services, causes for child removals and returns to families, judicial involvement, sibling-group placements, foster care, emancipation from the system, first-person guest speaker accounts, and policy-level interventions.

SOC WEL 107 Foundations, Philanthropy, and the Social Services: Grant Writing for Program Development 3 Units

Course explores the role of philanthropy, foundations, and proposal development in American society. A grant writing exercise in a Bay Area community agency is required.

SOC WEL 110 Social Work As a Profession 3 Units

This course examines social work as a profession: the practice of the profession, the organizational context of professional practice, and the ethics of the profession.

SOC WEL 112 Social Welfare Policy 3 Units

Analysis of social welfare policies and programs including public assistance, social insurance, social services, and health and mental health.

SOC WEL 114 Practice in Social Work 3 Units

An introduction to the basic skills of interpersonal helping and problem solving and to related theory and research.

SOC WEL 114AC Practice in Social Work 3 Units

An introduction to the basic skills of interpersonal helping and problem solving and to related theory and research.

SOC WEL 116 Current Topics in Social Welfare 2 Units

Course examines current problems and issues in the field of social welfare.

SOC WEL 148 Substance Abuse Treatment 2 Units

Provides an overview of theoretical perspectives and practice models in the substance abuse field. Addresses issues of misuse and addiction, impacts on the family, and the range of intervention modalities including prevention and treatment. Students will also become familiar with alcohol and drug related problems including mental disorders, HIV/AIDS, and criminal behavior.

SOC WEL 150L Sexuality and Social Work 2 Units

This course introduces the developmental, psychological and environmental issues related to sexuality at different stages in life, and in different social service venues. It includes an introduction to the strengths perspective, exploration of heterosexist aspects of society, policies related to a person’s sexuality and gender, and ethics and diversity issues often arising in work with sexual minorities. Variability within sexual culture is addressed, introducing students to the strengths of the LGBT community, the experience of growing up and discovering sexuality, and how research and practice models define homosexuality in relation to human sexuality and development. Issues of sexuality in specific social work settings are addressed.

SOC WEL 155 Finding Individual Donors for Human Service Agencies 2 Units

Students will leave this course understanding how nonprofits decide what fundraising strategies to pursue and will have a broad knowledge of a variety of fundraising strategies with particular emphasis on raising money from individual donors. Students will be familiar with the most common strategies employed by human service agencies such as personal solicitation, direct mail, on-line, and special events. In addition, they will be briefly introduced to planning giving and capital campaign fundraising. In addition students will understand the psychology of giving and receiving and feel more comfortable asking for money in person. Each student will apply the knowledge they learn in class to a nonprofit where they work or volunteer.

SOC WEL 174 Immigrants in the U.S.: Issues of Identity, Conflict, and Adaptation 2 Units

Course examines the history, character, and consequences of U.S. immigration, focusing on issues of identity, conflict, and adaptation. Topics include the social and psychological experiences of immigrants, global migration patterns, theories of transnationalism and migration, and the public response to immigration and immigrants. The perspectives of African, Asian, Latino, and European migrants will be explored.

SOC WEL 174AC Immigrants in the U.S.: Identity, Conflict, and Accommodation 3 Units

Course examines the history, character, and consequences of U.S. immigration, focusing on issues of identity, conflict, and adaptation. Topics include the social and psychological experiences of immigrants, global migration patterns, theories of transnationalism and migration, and the public response to immigration and immigrants. The perspectives of African, Asian, Latino, and European migrants will be explored.

SOC WEL 175AC The Dialogue of Diversity: Deciphering the Cues and Codes of Intercultural Communication 3 Units

Learning more about the diversity of American culture often does not increase our ability to understand and get along with one another. Multi-cultural (African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and European Americans) educational and workplace environments are fraught with conflicts in which persons find their peers to be disrespectful, aloof, or inappropriately familiar. The course will explore assumptions, attitudes, and beliefs and how they influence how we relate to each other and how we conceive of fairness, entitlement, respect, and oppression.

SOC WEL 186 Domestic Violence 2 Units

This course will investigate the phenomenon of domestic violence in the United States from historical, psychological, sociological, anthropological, legal, feminist, and cross-cultural perspectives. We will study the impact this social problem has on families, relevant theories of causation, the merits of related services and interventions, and the experiences of diverse populations.

SOC WEL H195 Senior Honors Course 1 - 3 Units

Preparation of an honors thesis.

SOC WEL 197 Field Studies in Social Welfare 1 - 3 Units

Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of social welfare in off-campus organizations. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required.

SOC WEL 198 Group Study for Advanced Undergraduates 1 - 3 Units

Group study on selected social welfare topics.

SOC WEL 198BC Berkeley Connect in Social Welfare 1 Unit

Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend lectures and panel discussions featuring department faculty and alumni, and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate.

SOC WEL 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 3 Units

Enrollment is restricted by regulations specified in the

Faculty

Professors

Michael J Austin, Professor. Strategic planning, social welfare, social service management, organizational development.
Research Profile

Jill Duerr Berrick, Professor. Family policy, child and family poverty, child abuse and neglect, foster care, kinship care, Child welfare services.
Research Profile

Jeffrey L Edleson, PhD, Professor. Program evaluation, family violence, child maltreatment, engaging men, violence prevention.
Research Profile

Eileen Gambrill, Professor. Social welfare, professional ethics and education, social learning theory, behavioral methods.
Research Profile

Neil Gilbert, Professor. Social welfare, comparative welfare state analysis, child welfare, evaluation research, family policy, social security.
Research Profile

James Midgley, Professor. Development, social development, social policy, community development, International social welfare, global poverty and inequality.
Research Profile

Kurt C. Organista, Professor. Social welfare, race/ethnicity, HIV prevention, social behavior.
Research Profile

Steven P. Segal, Professor. Psychiatry, methodology, social welfare, mental health and social policy.
Research Profile

Jennifer Skeem, Professor.

Associate Professors

Julian Chow, Associate Professor. East Asian studies, social welfare, community practice and service delivery in urban poverty, ethnic, and immigrant neighborhoods, community analysis and needs assessment, program planning and development, and cultural competency services.
Research Profile

Susan Irene Stone, Associate Professor. School-based psycho-social services, school-effects, archival data analysis.
Research Profile

Assistant Professors

Adrian Aguilera, Assistant Professor. Culture, SES and mental health; mental health services research in low-income populations; Latino & minority mental health; Health disparities; cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression; mobile technology (mHealth) and mental health.
Research Profile

Anu Manchikanti Gomez, PhD, Assistant Professor.

Valerie Shapiro, Assistant Professor.

Paul R Sterzing, Assistant Professor.

Lecturers

Claudia L Albano, Lecturer.

Valerie R Edwards, Lecturer.

Barbara L Ivins, Lecturer.

Amanda E. Reiman, PhD, Lecturer.

Barrie Robinson, Lecturer.

Stanley B Taubman, Lecturer.

Contact Information

School of Social Welfare

120 Haviland Hall

Phone: 510-642-4341

Visit School Website

Dean

Jeffrey Edelson, PhD

123 Haviland Hall

Phone: 510-642-5039

swdean@berkeley.edu

Academic Coordinator, Director of Admissions and Student Affairs

Bob Teague

Phone: 510-642-8535

bteague@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Adviser

Sherman Boyson

Phone: 510-642-4407

boyson@berkeley.edu