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January 11: Discuss syllabi, course objectives, and grading requirements. Brief overview of major social policies.
January 13: Structure of government; how a bill becomes law; power and consensus building in the policy arena. Incrementalism and social policy.
January 18: No Class (Dr. Martin Luther King Day).
January 20: How a bill becomes law (cont.). Examples
of important legislative initiatives effecting marginalized community groups.
Reading:
Richan, pp. 1-65
January 25: Writing in the discipline. Discussion of writing issues, including proper use of APA style, writing in the political arena, recommendations for writing to legislators, accurate paraphrasing, plagiarism, and proper analysis of sources. Handout APA Citations and Bibliography Reference
January 27: Sources of social policy information and analysis. Overview of library and electronic resources.
Between January 27th and February 24th, each student will sign up for a small group research session in the library. These sessions will feces on a) finding social service policy resources in the reference section, b) locating books and articles related to policy, c) using the microfilm/microfiche machines, and d) finding information in the government documents section of the library. Failure to sign up for one of these sessions will detract from the students final grade the same as one class absence.
February 1: Preparing to lobby; understanding politicians.
Reading: Richan, pp. 69-130.
February 3: Lobbying (cont.).
Reading: Richan, pp. 131-219.
February 8: Lobbying (cont.).
Reading: Richan, pp. 219-277.
February 10: Split into groups; discussion of group project and individual assignments
February 15: Electoral politics, politicians and the needs of marginalized groups; myths and realities.
Reading: Richan, pp. 278-339.
February 17: Introduction to social policy analysis. Policy analysis and the generalist social worker. The values, ethics, and skills of policy analysis. Effect of policy analysis on social work practice.
February 22: Introduction to policy analysis (cont.).
Reading: Gil, pp. 1-68
February 24: Policy analysis: Defining issues; the use of rhetoric in defining issues; theories related to social issues; issues of power and perspective in defining issues; delineation of target groups.
March 1: Policy analysis: Policy goals and objectives; explicit and implicit value premises and ideological orientations.
Reading: Gil, pp. 69-101.
March 3: Policy analysis: Strategy options; theories of various options; policy provisions.
March 8 -12: Spring Break
March 15: Policy analysis: Intended and unintended effects of policies; cost/benefit analysis.
March 17: Policy analysis: Presumed changes in a) resource development and management; b) work and production rewards; c) distribution of goods and services; d) individual/group rights and responsibilities; process of governance; and e) reproduction, socialization and social control.
Drafts of Papers Due: Optional
March 22: Policy analysis: Interaction of the
policy with forces effecting social evolution.
March 24: Social policy and economic and social
justice.
Reading:
Gil, pp. 101-142
March 29: Assignment #1
March 31: Assignment #1
April 5: Policy analysis: Guest lecture
April 7: Roundtable discussion- student papers
April 12: Roundtable discussion - student papers
Final Papers Due
April 14: Completion of group project
April 19: Group presentations
April 21: Group presentations
April 26: Group presentations
April 28: Final Exam Preparation
| GRADING | GRADE EQUIVALENTS |
| 90 - 100 A | |
| Total Points = 100 | 80 - 90 B |
| 70 - 80 C | |
| 60 - 70 D |
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