This course is part of the Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners Specialization

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John Robertson

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Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners SpecializationColumbia University

About this Course

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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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Course 1 of 5 in the

Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Describe the development of the welfare state across developed nations distinguishing choices made in education, health or pensions

Evaluate the structures of the US welfare state to explain US choices in education, health or pensions of those seeking aid.

Differentiate the public and private welfare state to interpret structures of education, health or pensions to those seeking services

Honors: Summarize and critique readings to professionally interpret them. Identify a topic to a professional memo.

Skills you will gain

- Distinguish the values inherent in each social policy initiative
- Critique components of a social policy based on their effectiveness at meeting the goals stated in the initiative
- Develop social welfare policy analysis and reform proposals
- Differentiate alternative approaches to social policy problems
- Formulate practice strategies to overcome the historic biases in social welfare programs

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 5 in the

Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.59/5 (23 Ratings)

John Robertson

Policy Lecturer

School of Social Work, Columbia University in New York City

9,490 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

Columbia University

For more than 250 years, Columbia has been a leader in higher education in the nation and around the world. At the core of our wide range of academic inquiry is the commitment to attract and engage the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries and service to society.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

4 hours to complete

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.

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 51 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

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

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 41 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

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.

3 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 43 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

Week

Week 4

6 hours to complete

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

6 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 79 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

13 videos

Politics and Policy3m

Size of the Welfare State5m

The Structure of the Welfare State9m

Floors, Platforms and Safety Nets3m

Outcomes7m

Fragile Families by Professor Garfinkel6m

Wealth & the Welfare State by Professor Garfinkel6m

Economic Conservatives5m

Social Conservatives4m

Liberalism & Social Democrats9m

Module 4 Wrap Up1m

Summary & Critique Description5m

Summary and Critique: How to Evaluate8m

1 reading

Understand the Hidden $1.1 Trillion Welfare System and How to Reform it20m

1 practice exercise

Quiz: Module 4 Overview15m

Reviews

4.7

32 reviews

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TOP REVIEWS FROM US SOCIAL SERVICES COMPARED

by ILMay 9, 2021

I learned a lot and very much enjoyed learning about the social policy. Thank you professor Robertson and all the speakers for their lessons taught throughout the course!

by MPJul 21, 2020

The course was very informative, it definitely broaden my knowledge of Social Services in the US and other Countries. I would recommend my co-workers to take this course.

by TASep 26, 2019

"US Social Services Compared" - I am hoping this course will help me out with a clear concept of US Social Services Compared. Thanks COURSERA for the such online access.

by EMAug 9, 2021

I am a Human service profesioanl and student . This course has taught so many important insights that I can apply to my job now and the future. Very good course!

View all reviews

About the Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners Specialization

In the U.S., social policy accounts for two-thirds of government spending. Knowing how policies are constructed, what values underlie them, and how they succeed or fail makes everyone more effective at work or in their civic role. This specialization includes an HONORS track in which learners will complete a professional social policy analysis.

Teachers, health care workers, police, and social workers interact with policy daily, but all of us should care about the impact and effectiveness of these programs. Health and mental health programs, education, housing and income supports, pensions, criminal justice services, veterans’ programs, child protective services, and immigration services create a support system all Americans will draw upon. They also reveal Americans' ethics and values, indicating how we regard and care for our most vulnerable. This specialization will explore the size, structure, and outcomes of U.S. social policy by -comparing it with the approaches of other developed nations. -examining the history of our efforts and probing population effects that shape policy. -looking deeply into support for families in general, poor families, people with disabilities, and the elderly. -mapping out existing policies for housing, education, healthcare, immigration and child welfare. -addressing issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy. By the end of the course the learner will be at home working in, utilizing, and voting in the U.S. welfare system.

Social Policy for Social Services & Health Practitioners

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

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US Social Services Compared