COURSE SYLLABUS

Hello Class,

I strongly encourage you to print a copy of it to use as your reference guide through this course. Please let me know if you have questions about the content of your syllabus.

Thank you!

Course Description

This course focuses on the formation and execution of public policy and programs by government and private organizations within human services. Emphasis is placed on evaluative and analytical approaches for determining
positive and negative characteristics of policies and programs. Students will learn to analyze and critique organizations and the policies and programs within those organizations.

Policies

Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:

· University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document.

· Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.

Course Materials

Chambers, D. E., & Wedel, K. R. (2005). Social policy and social programs: A method for the practical public policy analyst (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Supplemental Resource
The University of Phoenix Writing Style Handbook, available online at http://ecampus.phoenix.edu/classroom/ic/library.aspx

All electronic materials are available on the student website.
Week One: Origins of Social Policy and Programs

Details Due Points
Objectives 1.1 Explain the application of problem analysis categories to
social problems.

1.2 Identify contemporary social problems locally and nationally.
Week 1 N/A
Course Preparation Read the course description and objectives.

Read the instructor’s biography and post your own.
Week 1 N/A
Readings Read Appendix A.
Read Ch. 1–2 of Social Policy and Social Programs.
Week 1 N/A
Participation Participate in class discussion.
Week 1 15
Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions.
Week 1 15
CheckPoint
Social Problems CheckPoint: Social Problems – Due Week 1, Friday, Day 5

· Writethree separate paragraphs addressing the following:

o Paragraph 1- Write definitions for the words problem, policy, and program, within the context of human services. Then, give a brief example for each definition.

o Paragraph 2 – Make a list of five social problems that you consider most critical for the United States to address. Write one to two sentences describing the extent of each social problem.

o Paragraph 3- Identify an agency or organization that addresses only one of the social problems that you listed in paragraph 2.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will use this same agency throughout the course, so select one that is interesting to you and that has enough public information, online or on site, so that you may eventually analyze the entire agency based on six fundamental elements of policy analysis.

DO NOT select the following organizations because they are not approved for evaluation in this course:

1. The Covenant House http://www.covenanthouse.org/

2. The Texas Workforce Commission.

3. Any state or federal Departments of Health and Human Services

4. The American Red Cross

5. The Salvation Army

6. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America

7. Any Organization that does not provide a direct benefit or service to consumers.

Select an established nonprofit or a government organization that you will analyze throughout this course. This agency or organization should have enough information for you to analyze on a website or an actual location. Provide an overview of the agency. Include the internet link for the website of the program.

· This CheckPoint will be evaluated for grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling.

· Post this CheckPoint as a Microsoft Word® Document Attachment using your eCampus Assignment Link.

Day 5 25

Week Two: The Legislative Role

Details Due Points
Objectives 2.1 Justify judicial decisions.

2.2 Summarize the judiciary’s role in shaping public policy. Week 2 N/A
Readings Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Week 2 N/A
CheckPoint
Court Decisions
Resource: Electronic Reserve Readings

· Review one of the three Electronic Reserve Readings for this week.

· Use Chapter 2 as a resource to explain why you agree or disagree with the decision in your chosen Electronic Reserve Reading as follows:

1) Provide specific examples or reasons for your opinion, by using data such as outcomes, figures, statistics, and facts. DO NOT use the data that is included in the electronic reading for the statistics, figures, outcomes or facts that support your position.

2) Keep in mind that these articles are dated. Therefore, the outcomes of the court decisions may have changed (through hearings, appeals, etc.). You may want to further research them to make a more accurate assessment of the court rulings’ impact on policy.

· This CheckPoint will be evaluated for grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling.

· Post this CheckPoint as aMicrosoft Word® DocumentAttachmentin youreCampus Assignment Link. Day 5 25
Individual
The Role of Government in Policy-Making
Resource: Ch. 2 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you summarize legislative tasks and the overall role of the judiciary in shaping public policy. For the same agency or organization you chose previously, describe the laws and judicial decisions that influence how the organization operates. Answer the following questions in your paper:

· How do these laws influence the organization’s decision-making and its day-to-day operations?

· What role has the court system or law played in shaping policies that affect this particular agency or organization?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Post your paper as an attachment.
Day 7 100

Week Three: Value-Critical Approach to Social Methods

Details Due Points
Objectives 3.1 Describe the elements used to analyze social policies and programs.

3.2 Analyze social policies and programs using the six fundamental elements. Week 3 N/A
Readings Read Ch. 3 & 4 of Social Policy and Social Programs. Week 3 N/A
Participation Participate in class discussion.
15 15
Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. 15 15
CheckPoint
Policy Elements Resource: Ch. 3 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 300-word analysis of a program sponsored by the same agency or organization you used in the Week One CheckPoint. Use the six fundamental policy elements described in Ch. 3 as a guide. Keep in mind that a mission is different from goals and objectives. A mission is a statement of what the program is, why it exists, and the contributions it can make. It is usually short and concise, and describes a program’s reason for existing or its primary concern. Day 5 25

Week Four: Analyzing Public Policy Goals and Objectives

Details Due Points
Objectives 4.1 Describe how human service agencies determine their goals and objectives.

4.2 Appraise the goals and objectives of human service agencies.
Week 4 N/A
CheckPoint
Sentence Outline Resource: Ch. 4 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a sentence outline describing how an agency determines goals and objectives. Instead of listing short topics and phrases as you would in a general outline, write all main points and supporting details in complete sentences so that your thoughts are clear and thorough. Day 5 20

Individual
Goals and Objectives
Resource: Ch. 4 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you evaluate the goals and objectives for the same agency or organization you chose previously. Using the criteria from Ch. 4, address the following:

· Does the organization explain its goals and objectives clearly? Explain your answer.

· Are the goals and objectives long- term or short- term?· Are the goals and objectives manifest or latent?

· How do you know which are objectives and which are goals?

· Evaluate the agency’s goals and objectives for one of its specific
programs.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Post your paper as an attachment.
Day 7 100

Week Five: Benefits and Services

Details Due Points
Objectives 5.1 Identify examples of the major forms of benefits and services human services provide.

5.2 Evaluate benefits and services human service agencies.
Week 5 N/A
Readings Read Ch. 5 & 6 of Social Policy and Social Programs. Week 5 N/A
Participation Participate in class discussion.
Week 5 15
Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. Week 5 15
CheckPoint
Benefit Types
Resources: Ch. 5 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 300-word summary evaluating the benefit types and services of the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments.

Use the criteria for evaluating benefits and services, located on pp. 96-107 of the text. Day 5 25

Week Six: Eligibility Rules

Details Due Points
Objectives 6.1 Contrast the eligibility rules for different human service agencies.

6.2 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of eligibility rules used by human service agencies Week 6 N/A
CheckPoint
Eligibility Rules
Resource: Ch. 6 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Create a table comparing and contrasting the eligibility rules of two different agencies that offer the same type of program. Refer to Table 6.1 on p. 117 of the text.

Select one government agency and either a private or faith-based agency that offers a program for the homeless. You may also use the same agency you chose to analyze throughout the course.

Write a brief summary of what you consider the key differences between the eligibility rules of the two agencies.

Post your response as an attachment.
Day 2 25
Individual
Evaluating Eligibility Rules
Resource: Ch. 6 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you analyze eligibility rules for the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments.

· Based on pp. 110-118 of the text, what are the types of eligibility rules used by the agency?

· Do you notice any possible stigmatization or off-targeted benefits?

· Do you notice any trade-offs, such as overwhelming costs, overutilization, or underutilization? Explain your answer.

· Do you notice any weak rules? Explain your answer.

· In your judgment, are the eligibility rules fair and sufficient? Explain your answer.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Post your paper as an attachment.
Day 7 100

Week Seven: Delivery of Social Goods

Details Due Points
Objectives 7.1 Outline theory, design, and specification of social programs.

7.2 Compare and contrast the types of delivery systems for different human service agencies. Week 7 N/A
Readings Read Ch. 7 & 8 of Social Policy and Social Programs. Week 7 N/A
Participation Participate in class discussion.
Week 7 15
Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. Week 7 15
CheckPoint
Theory, Design, and Specification
Resource: Ch. 7 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Pretend you are in charge of creating a new social program. Money for funding is not an issue.

Outline, in approximately 300 words, the theory, design, and specification of the program you would create. Refer to p. 144 of the text for an example. Remember that, generally, a theory is a group or set of interrelated ideas thought to explain the causes and effects of a specific problem.

Justify your decision for choosing to create that particular social program. Day 5 25

Week Eight: Financing Social Problems

Details Due Points
Objectives 8.1 Identify the sources of funding for social programs.

8.2 Describe how taxes are used to fund social insurance programs. Week 8 N/A
CheckPoint
Private Funds Identify a privately funded human service agency. Your may use the same agency you chose to analyze throughout the course, or chose a different agency.

Describe, in 200 to 300 words, the social problem the agency addresses and a program it uses to address that problem. How does this private agency fund or intend to fund the program? Describe what the agency must do to obtain continued funding. Day 2 20

CheckPoint
Social Insurance Resource: Ch. 8 of Social Policy and Social Programs

Summarize, in 200 to 300 words, how social insurance is used to fund public programs. What are the benefits and drawbacks of government funding? How are those benefits and drawbacks exhibited in social programs such as Medicare, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation? Day 5 20

Individual
Finances Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper evaluating the financial aspects of the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments.

· How does the organization fund its programs?

· How reliable are the organization’s funding sources?

· Does the organization implement financial accountability measures to ensure that funds are being used properly?

· What questions might you ask the agency if you had donated a large sum of money and wanted to know how your money was being used?

Format you paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Post your paper as an attachment.
100 100

Week Nine: Creating a Social Program

Details Due Points
Objectives 9.1 Develop proposals for the creation of social programs.
Week 9 N/A
Readings Read Appendix A regarding the final project requirements.
Week 9 N/A
Participation Participate in class discussion.
Week 9 15
Capstone Discussion Question Post a 300 word response to the following under this DQ thread in the[Main] forum:

· What subjects in this course did you find most valuable?

· Describe two things you learned about how policies are developed?

· Describe the two things you found most challenging?

· Identify at least two aspects of this course will help you the most in your future studies and career?
Week 9 15
Final Project
Creating a Social Program
Complete your 1,750- to 2,100-word final proposal paper. Refer to Appendix A for project requirements.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Include at least three sources.

Post your paper as an attachment.
Day 7 240

Week One Discussion Questions

· Why are we able to use the same problem analysis categories mentioned in Ch. 1 of the text to analyze historical problems as well as problems facing modern society?

· Identify a social problem in your city or state. You may easily identify one by browsing a local newspaper or watching the evening news. Describe the social problem you identified. Who are the losers and gainers? Whatare the direct and indirect costs? What are the causes and consequences?

Week Three Discussion Questions
· Complete Exercise 1 on pp. 60-61 (Ch. 3). Your answer to this exercise must address the questions on p. 54 (Ch. 3).

· Do you think that the current U.S. policy for Social Security has clear goals and objectives? Explain your answer. Why is it important for a policy or program to have clear goals and objectives?

Week Five: Discussion Questions

· Discuss three of the nine major forms of benefits and services in the U.S. social welfare system, referred to on p. 95. For each of the three forms, provide an example of when you think that benefit or service might be positive and when it might be negative. Think of examples other than those provided in Ch. 5.

· Imagine there is a local welfare agency that exercises consumer sovereignty by giving a specified amount of cash to a family to use for food. The family is eligible for the amount, but the agency does not follow up to make sure the family spent the money as allocated. Explain why this practice is ineffective from the agency’s perspective as well as from the family’s perspective. How might you advise the agency to help it improve its allocation policy?

Week Seven Discussion Questions

· Compare and contrast the types of delivery systems mentioned in Ch. 7. What do you think agencies should want in terms of so-called good service and benefit delivery? Explain your answer. · Discuss briefly your evaluation of the method of benefit delivery for the same agency or organization you used in previous assignments. Do you agree or disagree with the way the goods are delivered? Explain your answer. How might you deliver benefits differently if you were in charge?