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

4.8
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131 ratings

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

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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

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.66/5 (33 Ratings)

John Robertson

Policy Lecturer

School of Social Work, Columbia University in New York City

13,295 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

Columbia University

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

Social Policy and the Welfare State

4 hours to complete

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

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Social Policy Structure

3 hours to complete

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

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Comparing U.S. Social Policy with Europe: Investment & Effects

3 hours to complete

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

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Does the Welfare State Enrich Us of Impoverish Us?

6 hours to complete

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

13 videos

Politics and Policy3mSize of the Welfare State5mThe Structure of the Welfare State9mFloors, Platforms and Safety Nets3mOutcomes7mFragile Families by Professor Garfinkel6mWealth & the Welfare State by Professor Garfinkel6mEconomic Conservatives5mSocial Conservatives4mLiberalism & Social Democrats9mModule 4 Wrap Up1mSummary & Critique Description5mSummary 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

4.8

40 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
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3 stars
3.05%
2 stars
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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 KDec 12, 2020

I have a greater understanding of the State Welfare system.

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 MGOct 25, 2020

It is very true encouraging step to enhance educational skills and knowledge by doing this 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:
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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.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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US Social Services Compared

About this Course

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