Class Descriptions

Policies Affecting Older Adults

SW643

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political	Elective (Host)
Program Evaluation
Older Adults	Requirement
Children & Families

Course Description

This course will examine social policies, problems, and trends in social programs and services for older people. It will focus major attention on the strengths and limitations of existing policies and programs related to health, mental health, income maintenance, income deficiency, dependent care, housing, employment and unemployment, and institutional and residential care. This course will provide a framework for an analysis of the services provided to older people. This analysis will include the adequacy with which needs are met in various subgroups of the elderly population and across core diversity dimensions (including ability, age, class, color, culture, ethnicity, family structure, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), marital status, national origin, race, religion or spirituality, sex, and sexual orientation). It will also include proposals for change in policies, programs and services. Programs will be compared in terms of access to benefits and services provided to older people..

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the evolution and organization of policies and services for older people in the context of the problems that give rise to the need for such policies and services. (EPAS 3, 5)
2. Critique the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. social service delivery system for older people. (EPAS 2, 3, 5, PODS)
3. Identify the problems facing the development of services for older people and suggest approaches to address these challenges. (EPAS 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, PODS)
4. Critically evaluate alternative policies and services for older people with a special emphasis on similarities and differences related to human diversity and dynamics of oppression and privilege. (EPAS 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, PODS)

Design

The course will utilize a combination of lecture, in class exercises, discussion, and online activities.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.