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John Robertson

Course 5 discusses policies in four areas: housing, education, healthcare, and immigration, with an optional fifth module in child protection. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy.

-First we’ll look at housing policy, with its contrasting supports for homeowners and renters.

-Then we’ll interpret the structure that provides education and examine debates about its future.

-The third module will differentiate the issues in the U.S. healthcare system and develop the structure of public healthcare programs.

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Course 5 discusses policies in four areas: housing, education, healthcare, and immigration, with an optional fifth module in child protection. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy.

-First we’ll look at housing policy, with its contrasting supports for homeowners and renters.

-Then we’ll interpret the structure that provides education and examine debates about its future.

-The third module will differentiate the issues in the U.S. healthcare system and develop the structure of public healthcare programs.

-Next, the course will lay out immigration policies and weigh the push and pull of the debate about immigration reform.

-The optional fifth module traces the child protection system its beginnings to the present day and appraises the failures and strengths of the system.

The course is part of a sequence in social policy that has an HONORS TRACK. This track will prepare the learner for masters-level work in policy, which involves reading the literature, writing concise summaries and probing critiques. Over the sequence the learner will develop a policy analysis that will create a foundation for professional policy analyst assignments.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Housing and Education
Housing and education are vital needs for families and individuals. This module will describe the current programs and tensions in the US housing and education system. The module begins with a review of tax expenditures as a significant component of US social policy
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in policy analysis, which are core skills for future policy analysts
Suitable for those who seek to prepare for masters-level work in policy
Builds a strong foundation for beginners in policy
Examines immigration, a highly relevant topic in policy
Taught by John Robertson, a recognized policy expert

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Reviews summary

Social policy in key sectors

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to social policy focusing on housing, education, healthcare, and immigration in the U.S. Students appreciate the clear structure and the way it highlights key issues and tensions within these complex systems. Many find the content insightful and well-organized, providing a good foundation for understanding policy analysis. Some reviewers note the depth of coverage can vary per module, suggesting it serves well as a stepping stone for further study.
Covers child protection as an added topic.
"I appreciated the inclusion of the optional module on child protection services; it was a valuable addition."
"The bonus module provided interesting historical context and current issues in child welfare."
"It's great that they included this important topic, even if it was optional."
Helps build basics for policy analysis.
"This course really helped me build a foundation for understanding how policy is analyzed."
"It's a great starting point if you are new to social policy studies."
"The way the course breaks down different policy areas makes it easier to grasp the concepts needed for analysis."
"I feel better prepared to approach more advanced policy topics after completing this."
Materials are interesting and well-presented.
"The lectures and readings were insightful and kept me engaged throughout the course."
"I found the discussions on historical context and current debates particularly interesting."
"The content is presented in a way that makes complex topics accessible."
"Learning about the structure of programs like Medicare and Medicaid was very informative."
Provides a strong foundation in US social policy areas.
"This course is an excellent introduction to the social policy areas of housing, education, healthcare, and immigration in the United States."
"It provides a solid overview of key policies and historical context, which is very helpful for beginners in this field."
"I gained a much better understanding of the complexities and tensions within these systems after taking this course."
"The structure of the course, module by module, made it easy to follow the different policy areas."
Coverage depth varies between modules.
"Some modules felt more in-depth than others; I wished certain topics were explored further."
"While it covers a lot of ground, it sometimes felt like a broad survey rather than deep dives into each area."
"The healthcare module was quite detailed, but I felt the housing section could have used more depth."
"It's a good introduction, but you'll likely need to do additional reading if you want expertise in one area."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Health, Housing, and Educational Services with these activities:
Group discussions on healthcare policy
Fosters understanding of healthcare policies through critical analysis and discussion.
Browse courses on Healthcare Policy
Show steps
  • Join or form a study group with fellow students.
  • Select healthcare policies for discussion and prepare questions or talking points.
  • Meet regularly to engage in in-depth discussions and debates.
Policy analysis paper
Develops skills in critical thinking, research, and communication by analyzing a real-world policy.
Browse courses on Policy Analysis
Show steps
  • Select a specific policy for analysis.
  • Conduct extensive research to gather data and evidence.
  • Write a comprehensive paper that presents the policy, analyzes its effectiveness, and makes recommendations for improvement.
Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Health, Housing, and Educational Services will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Health Educator
This course is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the policies and issues surrounding health, housing, and education in the United States. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge they need to work as Health Educators, who develop, implement, and evaluate health education programs to promote healthy behaviors and improve health outcomes within communities.
Healthcare Administrator
This course provides an in-depth look at the US healthcare system, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid. This knowledge will be invaluable for Healthcare Administrators who are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Healthcare Policy Analyst
This course examines the policies that shape the health, housing, and education sectors in the United States and emphasizes issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy. This course will be especially beneficial for Healthcare Policy Analysts, who analyze and make recommendations on healthcare policy issues.
Housing Counselor
This course provides a comprehensive overview of housing policy in the United States. This knowledge will be essential for Housing Counselors, who provide guidance and support to individuals and families seeking affordable housing.
Social Worker
This course will provide Social Workers with a solid foundation in the policies and issues surrounding health, housing, and education, particularly as they affect underprivileged populations. This knowledge will be essential for Social Workers, who provide support and assistance to individuals and families in need.
Teacher
This course provides an in-depth look at the structure and debates surrounding education in the United States. This knowledge will be beneficial for Teachers, who play a vital role in shaping the future of our nation's children.
Policy Analyst
This course provides an overview of the policy analysis process, with a focus on health, housing, and education. This knowledge may be helpful for Policy Analysts, who analyze and make recommendations on public policy issues.
Legislator
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and issues surrounding health, housing, and education in the United States. This knowledge will be invaluable for Legislators, who are responsible for making laws that affect the lives of all Americans.
Nonprofit Manager
This course provides a solid foundation in the policies and issues surrounding health, housing, and education, particularly as they affect underprivileged populations. This knowledge will be beneficial for Nonprofit Managers, who lead organizations that provide services to these populations.
Journalist
This course provides an in-depth look at the policies and issues surrounding health, housing, and education in the United States. This knowledge will be valuable for Journalists, who report on these issues and help to shape public opinion.
Lawyer
This course provides an overview of the legal framework surrounding health, housing, and education in the United States. This knowledge may be helpful for Lawyers, who represent clients in cases involving these issues.
Economist
This course provides an overview of the economic principles that shape health, housing, and education policy. This knowledge may be helpful for Economists, who analyze economic data and make recommendations on policy issues.
Statistician
This course provides an overview of the statistical methods used to analyze health, housing, and education data. This knowledge may be helpful for Statisticians, who collect and analyze data to inform policy decisions.
Researcher
This course provides an overview of the research methods used to study health, housing, and education issues. This knowledge may be helpful for Researchers, who conduct studies to inform policy decisions.
Consultant
This course provides an overview of the consulting process, with a focus on health, housing, and education. This knowledge may be helpful for Consultants, who provide advice to organizations on these issues.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Health, Housing, and Educational Services.
Provides a comprehensive history of how the US government has segregated America, from the creation of redlining maps to the construction of highways that divided black and white neighborhoods. It is essential reading for understanding the historical context of housing and education policy in the US.
Explores the ways in which racism harms everyone, not just people of color. McGhee argues that racism system that creates and maintains inequality, and that it is in everyone's best interest to dismantle it.
Argues that the US criminal justice system new form of Jim Crow, and that it is designed to control and disenfranchise black people. Alexander provides a detailed history of mass incarceration, and she offers a set of policy recommendations for reforming the system.
Examines the history of policing in the US, and it argues that the police are not a solution to the problems of crime and disorder. Vitale offers a set of policy recommendations for creating a more just and equitable society.
Provides a comprehensive history of the US healthcare system, from its origins in the 19th century to the present day. Derickson examines the political and economic forces that have shaped the system, and he offers a set of policy recommendations for reforming it.
Examines the history of immigration in the US, and it argues that immigration has always been a defining feature of the American identity.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the child protection system in the US. Bonnie and Trubowitz discuss the different components of the system, and they offer a set of policy recommendations for reforming it.
Provides a policy perspective on child welfare in the US. Tobis examines the challenges that the child welfare system faces, and he offers a set of policy recommendations for reforming it.
Provides a vision for the future of education. Schleicher argues that we need to rethink the way we educate our children in order to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. He offers a set of policy recommendations for reforming our schools.
Provides a concise overview of the US healthcare system. Reinhardt explains the different components of the system, and he discusses the challenges that it faces. This book good resource for students who are new to the study of healthcare policy.
Provides a guide to the laws that prohibit housing discrimination in the US. Atlas explains the different types of housing discrimination, and he provides a step-by-step guide to filing a housing discrimination complaint.

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