Comparative Cross National Analysis of Social Service Systems

Methodologies for cross-national comparative analysis of social service systems and policies in other countries will be examined. The relationship of this analysis to issues of social and economic development will also be investigated. Attention will be given to the implications of this analysis for the further development of social services in various countries including the United States.

Particular social service sectors will be chosen to illustrate in depth the relevance of cross-national analysis to solving the problems present in the sector. Students will become knowledgeable about and able to use at least one model of cross-national comparative analyses. The students will also become familiar within a comparative perspective with the research approaches that have been or may be utilized to further our understanding of the sector.