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US Social Services Compared

In all nations, social policy is a very large public investment. Course 1 will explore the size, structure, and outcomes of U.S. social policy and compare this policy to those of similar developed countries. The course will also probe the values this policy represents and the values debate regarding about how big our welfare state should be— in other words, how much of our education, housing, health, income support, and social services the government should supply and how much individuals should supply for themselves. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy.

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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Syllabus

Social Policy and the Welfare State

In this module, you will develop an understanding of the domains, values, and expenditures of the U.S. welfare state.

Social Policy Structure

In this module, you will explore the domains of the US welfare state and differentiate the floor, platform and safety net components

Comparing U.S. Social Policy with Europe: Investment & Effects

This module will compare US and comparable western nations in a country's approach to education, health care and income stability. The module will address the relative place of the US in the structure of it welfare state.

Does the Welfare State Enrich Us of Impoverish Us?

In this module, we will explain the size, structure and outcomes of US social policy when compared with comparable developed nations and to differentiate the conservative approaches to social welfare

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to the foundational concepts of social policy, which is highly relevant to governance and politics

Examines cross-national data, helping learners develop global awareness and cultural sensitivity

Provides a comparative perspective on social policy, offering insights into different approaches and outcomes

Emphasizes critical thinking and analysis, fostering learners' ability to evaluate policies and their impact

Focuses on current issues and debates in social policy, keeping learners up-to-date with contemporary perspectives

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Reviews summary

Reference-worthy comparison of us social services

Based on 34 student reviews, this engaging course titled "US Social Services Compared" provides students with a foundational understanding of welfare state policies. Students largely positive about the excellent content, clear explanations, and informative discussions. Many appreciate the honors section, which offers opportunities for further learning and feedback, although some find it time-consuming. Reviewers recommend this course for its broad view of social policy, with some suggesting room for deeper dives into certain topics.

Instructor delivers information with clarity and understanding.

"Excellent Instructor, everything was so clear and easy understanding !!!"

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

"The recording volume is so low til when I turn up my volume on my computer it's still very faint and I have to use headphones to hear recordings"

Course includes interactive quizzes and rigorous honors assignments.

"The exercises given in the course are consistent with the objectives of the course."

"The honors option seems a little excessively time-consuming."

"The Honors Assignments, however, are rigorous and require in depth reading, preparation and writing."

Top-notch readings and materials provide valuable insights.

"Excellent content. Valuables knowledge about US social policy and welfare system."

"Content wise: the quality of the readings was top-notch, drawing from book chapters to journal papers to think tank reviews."

"This was a great course, content wise."

Quizzes are straightforward and do not encourage deep analysis.

"The quizzes are very simple and do not require much critical thinking."

"some of the quiz questions are unclear and occasionally do not reflect the content discussed in the course."

Some materials lack recent information and research.

"Could have used a content refresh (lots of outdated stats, articles, etc) and a more modern approach to these topics."

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 US Social Services Compared with these activities:

Lead a discussion group

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Leading discussions encourages active engagement with the course material and develops communication skills.

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Select a topic related to the course content
Prepare discussion questions and materials
Facilitate the discussion, ensuring all participants have a chance to contribute
Summarize the main points and insights

Review sociological concepts

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Understanding the fundamental concepts of sociology will provide a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Sociology

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Read core texts on sociological theory
Summarize key concepts and theories
Apply sociological concepts to real-world examples

Read "The Spirit Level"

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This book provides empirical evidence on the relationship between social welfare and societal well-being, which is central to the course content.

View The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes... on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly
Take detailed notes on key arguments and findings
Discuss the book with classmates or a study group

Four other activities

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Analyze social policy data

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Developing skills in analyzing social policy data will enhance understanding of the course content and prepare for future research projects.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Gather data from reputable sources
Clean and organize the data
Conduct statistical analysis using appropriate software
Interpret the results and draw conclusions

Attend a public policy conference

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Attending a conference exposes students to cutting-edge research and policy discussions.

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Research and identify relevant conferences
Attend sessions and workshops aligned with course topics
Take notes and participate in discussions

Explore social policy simulations

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Engaging with social policy simulations provides hands-on experience in understanding the effects of policy decisions.

Browse courses on Policy Analysis

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Identify relevant social policy simulations
Follow tutorials to set up and run the simulations
Analyze the simulation results and evaluate policy outcomes

Develop a policy analysis report

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Creating a policy analysis report provides an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the course to a real-world issue.

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Identify a policy issue of interest
Research the issue and gather relevant data
Analyze the data and formulate policy recommendations
Write a comprehensive report presenting the findings and recommendations

Career center

Learners who complete US Social Services Compared will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policies. This course will provide insights into the values, debates, and outcomes of social policy, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to effectively participate in policy development and evaluation.

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Public Administrator

Public Administrators manage public programs and services. This course will provide foundational knowledge of the welfare state, enabling you to effectively implement and evaluate public policies and programs.

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Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts research and analyze education policies. This course will provide insights into the US education system and its role within the welfare state, enabling you to effectively participate in education policy development and evaluation.

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Housing Policy Analyst

Housing Policy Analysts research and analyze housing policies. This course will provide insights into the US housing system and its place within the welfare state, enabling you to effectively participate in housing policy development and evaluation.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and analyze health policies. This course will provide insights into the US healthcare system and its place within the welfare state, enabling you to effectively participate in health policy development and evaluation.

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Social Justice Advocate

Social Justice Advocates advocate for social justice and equality. This course will provide insights into the values and debates surrounding the welfare state, enabling you to effectively develop and advocate for policies that promote social justice.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers mobilize communities to address social issues. This course will provide insights into the values and structure of the welfare state, enabling you to effectively organize communities and advocate for social change.

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Social Policy Researcher

Social Policy Researchers investigate the impact of social policies on individuals and communities. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the US welfare state, enabling you to conduct rigorous research and contribute to policy development.

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Research Associate

Research Associates conduct research in various fields. This course will provide foundational knowledge of social policy research methods, enabling you to effectively contribute to research projects and policy development.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations that provide social services. This course will provide insights into the values and structure of the welfare state, enabling you to effectively manage nonprofit organizations that address societal issues.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts research and analyze environmental policies. This course will provide insights into the US environmental policy landscape and its relationship with the welfare state, enabling you to effectively participate in environmental policy development and evaluation.

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Social Worker

Social Workers develop, implement, and evaluate social programs and services. This course will provide foundational knowledge of the welfare state, enabling you to understand the complexities of social programs and services in the US and abroad. The course will help you develop skills in policy analysis, research, and evaluation, which are essential for success in this field.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and implement plans for urban development. This course will provide insights into the social policy landscape and its impact on urban communities, enabling you to develop plans that promote social equity and well-being.

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Human Resources Specialist

Human Resources Specialists manage employee relations, benefits, and compensation. This course will help you understand the social policy landscape and its impact on employee welfare, enabling you to develop effective HRpolicies and practices.

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Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice to organizations. This course may be useful for those interested in consulting in the field of social policy, providing insights into the values, debates, and outcomes of social policy.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 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 US Social Services Compared.

The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism

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Provides a comparative overview of social policy in different countries, offering insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the US welfare state.

US Social Services Compared

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What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

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Reviews summary

Reference-worthy comparison of us social services

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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