PLSC 312 - American Social Welfare Policy

Credit(s): 3
Lecture: 3
Non-Lecture: 0
This course presents an analysis of U.S. policy responses to poverty within the framework of the public policy process. The course will examine how definitions of the deserving and undeserving poor and Americans’ attitudes toward the causes of poverty influence the types of public policy implemented. Income maintenance programs, policies to encourage work, health insurance for low-income and elderly Americans, programs to meet basic needs, and how U.S. policy provides for children being raised in poverty will be examined. The course will also consider the changing relationship between the national and state governments and a comparison of the U.S. social safety net to that available to residents of the European nations. Offered when demand is sufficient.

Prerequisite(s): PLSC 110 or permission of the instructor.