Survey of historical, social, political and economic influences on social welfare system in United States. Includes examination of prevailing systematic social problems of concern to human service professionals and how individuals are disproportionately impacted by race, class and gender, descriptions and relevant history of current public welfare programs and an overview of fields of practice in social welfare. Requires 10 hours of volunteer service in local social service agency. Open to all students. Serves as unrestricted, liberal arts or social science elective for students not enrolled in the Human Services program. Note: Fulfills SUNY-GE Social Sciences and SUNY-GE Diversity. (offered day and evening in fall semester and evening in spring semester) No prerequisite. Offered on: A-E-G / 3 cr. hrs.