Comparative Cross National Analyses of Social Service Systems

SW823, Section 001

Newly developed methodologies for cross-national comparative research, from political science, sociology, and economics are used to analyze the social services systems in other industrialized and developing countries with reference to the U.S. systems. Attention will be given to the application of this knowledge to effecting changes in the U.S. social services system. Particular social service sectors will be chosen to illustrate in depth the relevance of cross-national analysis. Students will become knowledgeable about and able to use at least one model of cross-national comparative analyses, understand and critique the U.S. system of social welfare with reference to alternative systems in other countries, and use and select research methods for comparative analysis.