Courses:

U.S. Social Policy >> Content Detail



Syllabus



Syllabus



Course Overview


This class is divided into four sections, each of which is illustrated with case studies of various social programs. We open by discussing cultural and institutional reasons for American exceptionalism in social policy, using the case of health insurance. In the second part of the class, we begin studying policy inputs with a focus on the mass public: defining political participation, studying subgroup differences in participation rates, exploring the origins of political preferences, examining patterns of interest group organization, and discussing the nature of representative government and the theoretical relationship between participation and representation. In the third part of the course we turn to the policymaking process, studying how problems come onto the political agenda and how Congress, the courts, and the bureaucracy shape policy. Fourth, we study policy in practice: how policies are implemented; how their designs shape client experiences and subsequent policy outcomes; where we draw the line between public and private provision; and with a few final case studies how the working years, gender, and human capital formation (education) are treated by U.S. social policy. We conclude by speculating about the likely course of American social policy in the future.



Grading


Grades will be earned on the following basis:


ACTIVITIESPERCENTAGES
Class Participation20%
Intermediate Projects (Assignments 1-4)20%
Final Paper60%

Students are expected to complete the intermediate projects, each of which is a stage in preparing the final research paper. For the research paper, students will choose a policy area and examine the course of policymaking - what factors led to the policy outcome that was achieved? The final paper (20-25 pages, double-spaced, 12-point type) is due 2 days after Lec #25 at 5:00 pm at my office. Students will also take turns writing discussion questions and helping to lead class discussion (3-4 times during the semester, depending on enrollment). These efforts will be part of the seminar participation grade. The discussion questions should be emailed to the class by 5:00 pm the evening before your assigned day.



Calendar



LEC #TOPICSKEY DATES
1Introduction
Part I: American Exceptionalism and a Case: Why No National Health Insurance in the United States?
2-3U.S. Health Policy
Part II: Preferences, Participation, and Representation
4Who Participates?
5Who Gets Represented? The Case of Social Security
6Who Gets Represented? The Case of Tax Cuts and Other Policies
7Interest Groups I
8Interest Groups II: Business vs. Labor
9-10Public Opinion and Preference Formation: The Case of Universal vs. Targeted Programs
Part III: The Policy-Making Process
11Problem Definition and Agenda Setting I: The Case of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
12Problem Definition and Agenda Setting IIAssignment 1 due: Select issue area for research paper
13Policy-Relevant Institutions: Congress I
14Policy-Relevant Institutions: Congress II; The Case of the Hidden Welfare StateAssignment 2 due: List at least five sources
15Policy-Relevant Institutions: The Courts; The Case of Welfare Rights
Part IV: Policy in Practice
16Implementation: The Case of Rehabilitation in PrisonAssignment 3 due: Write paragraph on actors in your issue area
17Policy Design
18The Consequences of Policy Design: The Cases of Welfare and the G.I. Bill
19Public-Private RelationsAssignment 4 due 2 days after Lec #19: 8-10 pages on opinion and participation in your issue area
20The Working Years: Unemployment, Disability Insurance, and the EITC
21Gender in U.S. Social Policy: The Case of Family and Medical Leave
22Education Policy: Vouchers
23Education Policy: Federal College Loans
24-25Course Conclusion: The Future of American Social PolicyAssignment 5 due 2 days after Lec #25: Final paper due

 








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