From poor law to welfare state . Content on populations at risk is included in lectures, class discussions and readings. It reflects examination of the oppression of and historical contribution of women, racial and ethnic groups, working class organizations, and gays and lesbians. The instructor will play a significant role in the presentation of content and guiding class discussion. The student is expected to be an active participant in the seminar learning process.
Collegial debate is encouraged.
Most recently, the public discourse over welfare reform has highlighted the salient role of individual and socially held values, beliefs and political ideology in the formation of social policy. For this assignment you are asked to critically examine the historical sources and nature of your own views concerning dependency and your resulting beliefs about the role of the state in providing public assistance. This paper should be approximately 8 pages in length, double-spaced. As this paper calls for a more personal analysis, references may not be appropriate. 2-3 students will take responsibility for organizing and leading one of the following discussions.