This course is designed to introduce and familiarize students with social welfare policy in the United States, its origins, history, current problems and recent reforms. Students will become familiar with the major American social welfare programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Food Stamps. Special attention will be given to the treatment of the U.S. poverty population. State welfare reform will be examined, and the implications of recent federal policy changes, in particular, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, will be analyzed. Last Additional selected readings will be assigned during the semester.
All readings are mandatory.
The major writing assignment for this course is a research paper on an issue related to poverty, social welfare policy, etc. In addition, there will be other written assignments during the course of the semester, including an analysis of the Okun book, a role playing assignment and a debate paper. Students are expected to attend all classes and engage in meaningful discussion. Attendance will be taken at each class. The course format will be varied, but each student is expected to come to class prepared to discuss any and all of the assigned readings, to answer study questions when asked, and to actively participate in all activities.