Course Syllabus

Course Information

Course title

Social Welfare Policy

Semester

111-2

Designated for

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL WORK

Instructor

WU CHI-FANG

Curriculum Number

SW8025

Curriculum Identity Number

330ED2120

Class

Credits

3.0

Full/Half
Yr.

Half

Required/
Elective

Elective

Time

Wednesday 7,8,9(14:20~17:20)

Remarks

Restriction: Ph. D students
The upper limit of the number of students: 20.
The upper limit of the number of non-majors: 3.

Course introduction video

Table of Core Capabilities and Curriculum Planning

Course Syllabus

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Course Description

This seminar focuses on social policy development, implementation, evaluation, and research. The class will analyze theories of governmental policy intervention, both from substantive and procedural standpoints. Because the social policy arena is heavily politicized, political factors affecting policy development and implementation will be stressed. In addition, policy implementation discussions will attend both to program administration and intergovernmental relations issues. The growing importance of globalization in social policy development also will receive attention, as will select issues in the evaluation of social policy interventions.

Course Objective

Completion of this course will allow class members to:
1.Understand theoretical approaches to analyzing social policy development and implementation.
2. Understand selected theories and models that have been influential in the substantive development of broad-scale social policies and program.
3. Develop skills in empirically assessing policy issues and trends.
4. Apply policy analytic, research, and evaluation skills to various social problems, policies, and programs.
5. Understand research concepts and issues related to the evaluation of social policies, as well as methods used to evaluate public policies.
6. Develop skills in the conduct and presentation of policy research.
7. Understand how administrative decisions and direct service worker discretion impact the implementation of public policies.
8.Understand how decisions concerning intergovernmental relations impact the implementation of public policies.
9. Understand basic budgeting concepts that are important in governmental financing and policy development.
10. Understand how globalization is affecting social policy development, and be familiar with different models of program development and dissemination in developing countries.

Course Requirement

Course Expectations
Creating and maintaining a positive and safe environment that is conducive to learning is a fundamental requirement for the work we will be doing in this course. Candid, civil discussion and even (dis)agreement with colleagues and instructors is expected and even encouraged. However, in order to promote an atmosphere that is respectful, positive, safe, and conducive to learning, we will establish ground rules for discussions and interactions during our early class meetings. The value of our discussions and interactions depends on what you bring to it. Each student and instructor is responsible for their own personal contribution to the atmosphere, environment, and overall classroom experience. The expectation that each one of us will engage in respectful interactions and exhibit professional behaviors is non-negotiable. If at any time you have concerns about a diversity issue being addressed in class (or not being addressed), I invite you to talk with me about it. I expect open and honest communication from students and will return the same to you.

Student Workload (expected study time outside of class per week)

Office Hours

Wed. 13:10~14:10 Note: Make appointment as needed

Designated reading

References

Grading

Adjustment methods for students

Teaching methods	Provide students with flexible ways of attending courses
Assignment submission methods	Extension of the deadline for submitting assignments, Mutual agreement to present in other ways between students and instructors
Exam methods	Final exam date postponement
Others	Negotiated by both teachers and students

Progress

Week	Date	Topic
第1週	2/22	Introduction and Overview Topics Course introduction Overview of social policy and the policy-making system Differing approaches to social policy analysis Introduction to social policy research The changing context of policy analysis and research
第2週	3/1	Part I: RATIONALE AND APPROACHES TO SOCIAL POLICY AND FRAMEWORKS FOR ANALYZING SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY Overview and History of Social Welfare Policy Topics Overview of social welfare programs The historical context & Elizabethan Poor Laws The Social Security Act of 1935 The Great Society response to poverty and discrimination Economic factors and welfare state retrenchment The growth of entitlement programs Dissatisfaction with government and social programs “Reaganomics” and devolution of social welfare programs The increasing role of the private sector Trend in income support policy
第3週	3/8	Why Should We Intervene? Social Policy and the Welfare State: Historical, Theoretical, and Ideological Perspectives Topics Theories concerning normative reasons for governmental policy interventions The overarching role of values as rationales for policy interventions Rationales for social policy interventions in market systems Tradeoffs in efficiency and equality Theories concerning welfare state development
第4週	3/15	One-on-one meeting with instructor about policy papers Assignment: Policy paper topic due(one paragraph)
第5週	3/22	Frameworks for Social Welfare Policy Analysis Topics Common components of social welfare policy analysis Basis of allocations, benefits, provisions (Who?) Nature of social provision (What?) Design of delivery systems (How delivered?) Sources of funds and systems of transfer (How funded?) 7
第6週	3/29	Measure of Poverty and Recent Dynamics of Poverty Topics Measure of poverty Level and trend of poverty Alternative measure of poverty Causes of poverty and inequality Racial Disparities Assignment: Policy paper outline/references due
第7週	4/5	Holiday break, No Class
第8週	4/12	How Should We Intervene? Selected Policy and Program Development Approaches Topics Causes of poverty and inequality The conservative view: Individual choice within a broken welfare system The liberal view: Human Capital Differences and Discrimination The Social Democratic View: Structural Barriers The range of options available to policymakers in social changes Description of important approaches and their underlying assumptions about social change Selected limitations and problems in constructing social policies and programs Discussion: Program Development Project Assignment#1
第9週	4/19	Part II: HOW ARE PUBLIC POLICIES MADE, DELIVERED, AND EVALUATED The Policymaking Process/Implementation and Key Actors Topics The role of the formal governmental actors on policymaking The electoral system and its influence on policymaking Public sector and organizational perspectives The roles of citizen groups on policymaking Increasing debates about civic engagement and its limitations Overview of the policy implementation process Strengths and weaknesses of bureaucratic organizations in policy development Tradeoffs in discretion and accountability in street-level implementation Assignment: Policy Project Paper #1 Due
第10週	4/26	Assessing and Influencing the Effectiveness of Social Welfare Policies and Programs: Evaluation Research and Research Dissemination Topics Evaluating the effectiveness of social welfare policy policies Difficulties in disseminating policy research findings to affect change program changes The impact of research on public policy development Rethinking welfare in the Great Recession Future directions of antipoverty policies
第11週	5/3	The Rise of Global Policy Making and International Social Welfare Policy Topics The impact of globalization on social policy Varying perspectives on preferred methods of program development in developing countries International social welfare policy Comparative policy analysis
第12週	5/10	Child and Family Policy Topics Family change: The context for family policy Antipoverty policies and programs for children and family Overview of child and family policy approaches Policies and programs for child and youth, and family Immigration policy and children
第13週	5/17	Social Policy and Health Care: Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act Topics Health care‐‐How well do we perform on cost, access, and quality? Medicaid, Medicare, managed care Health care reform Affordable care act
第14週	5/24	Feature student presentations, with student-selected reading I
第15週	5/31	Feature student presentations, with student-selected reading II Discussion:Policy Project Paper #2
第16週	6/7	Finals: No class. Assignment: Policy Project Paper #2 Due