Health, Housing, and Educational Services from Coursera

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.

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

Understanding healthcare delivery in the U.S.

Health care is a permanent state of transition because of new discoveries, population changes and service delivery changes. The learner will distinguish the forces that shape the US health care system and the tensions in the system that lead to conflicting solutions.

ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid

The US has three major health care programs: the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid. The learner will learn the underlying structure of each of the systems and will probe the debate surrounding each program

Immigration

Since the original encounter between the western and eastern hemispheres, immigration has been a major economic and social force. The learner will examine the US history of immigration and the current structures of the immigration system. The module will appraise the current immigration debates and critique various reform proposals

BONUS: Child Protective Services

The safety of children is a concern of the public. The US has a complex child protective system that has been transformed many times in our history. Current policy focuses on protections against child abuse. This module will interpret the development of the goal of keeping children safe from abuse and critique the present mechanisms used to protect children.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Excellent social services overview

Learners say they highly recommend Health, Housing, and Educational Services as an entry-level course on social services in the United States. Former learners remark on the engaging video lectures and positive learning experiences. With its clear explanations of complex issues, students feel prepared to take on further study in the field.

Engaging videos

"The course was very useful for me. I improved my listening, speaking and pronunciation skills by watching videos on various topics."

Very informative.

"Very informative, particularly when we look at the history of our country's development in these areas."

"I learnt what is the social policy and how it works and why it needs to be in working."

Clear and Well Organized

"The instructor can very well explain and discuss complex issues that allows me as a non-American citizen to follow the contents easily."

"Excellent course!"

"good topics thanks coursera"

Audio issues for some lectures

"Some of the lectures had such low sound quality, I had to improvise to make it louder."

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Policy Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Housing Counselor

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legislator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant