PSCI316H

Inactive

This course is an upper-level community-based learning seminar on social policy and inequality in America and is intended for juniors and seniors who are interested in an applied learning experience. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an understanding of American social policy and the politics that surrounds it. The United States has seen a dramatic growth in poverty and inequality in recent years and we will explore the causes and consequences of this development as well as potential government action that might address it. An overview of the existing programs, institutions, and political dynamics for a variety of social policy areas will be provided, with a focus on education, health care, and income support. The following questions will guide the course: How do “politics” and “policy” interact around our social welfare system? What are the different values and ideologies that inform debates over social policy? What are the strengths and weaknesses of markets, governments, and communities as societal problem solvers? What kinds of social policies have federal, state, and local governments enacted to assist low-income citizens? Are these policies adequate? Effective?This is a Community-Based Learning course and will require approximately 20 hours of collaborative research, service, and learning with a community partner such as the United Way. About half of this work will take place off of Drew’s campus.

CBL: ProgCLA-Community Based Learn, CIVE: ProgCLA-Civic Engagement, DVUS: GenEd-Diversity US, HON: ProgCLA-Baldwin Honors, IMCE, IMMX: GenEd-Immersive Experience, INST: Instructor Approval Required, OFFC: GenEd-Off Campus Experience, WRIT: GenEd-Writing Intensive