3 credits
This course provides the foundational knowledge and skills to critically analyze social welfare policy at the local, state, federal and global level. Students will be introduced to the primary steps of the policy development and analysis process, including how policy issues are framed and how policy solutions are developed, implemented and evaluated. Specifically, the course will employ multiple analytic frameworks to understand social problems, welfare policies and services. Students also will critically assess a variety of social welfare policies to: (1) identify potential differential impact on individuals, groups, and communities within a diverse society and (2) apply a trauma-informed human rights perspective. Strategies to challenge and change social welfare policy will be discussed as well.