101783: Moral Philosophy and Social Work Policy

About the Course:

Policies in the United States regarding personal responsibility and deviant behavior often follow an underlying moral philosophy. This article examines the philosophies in American social policy, and how beliefs about personal responsibility, definitions of deviance, and the role of the social welfare system shape current policies.

Journal/Publisher:

The Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics

Publication Date:

Fall 2009, Vol. 6, No. 3

Author

Amanda Reiman, MSW, PhD

About the Author:

Amanda Reiman MSW, PhD, is currently the Coordinator of Academic Programs and a Lecturer in the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also the current Chairwoman of the Berkeley Medical Cannabis Commission.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about use of moral philosophy in social policy. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify moral philosophies that underlie American social policy.

2. Define how beliefs about personal responsibility, definitions of defiance, and the role of the social welfare system shape current policies.