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

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

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

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Fosters understanding of healthcare policies through critical analysis and discussion.

Browse courses on Healthcare Policy

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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

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Develops skills in critical thinking, research, and communication by analyzing a real-world policy.

Browse courses on Policy Analysis

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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