Class Descriptions

Policy Development and Implementation

SW815

Course Description

Policy as an intervention process is critically examined by analyzing the phases of this process, various perspectives on policy analysis, the uses of empirical social science knowledge, the context of policy, policy’s latent functions, and social, organizational, and cultural factors that impact at each phase. Three types of substantive structures will be included: remediation, enhancement, and prevention. General and specific approaches to these goals will be compared in different content areas and auspices (public and private). Key research questions and gaps in knowledge will be identified as will roles, tasks, and tools of the researcher and policy developer. Ethical and value questions will be explored, with special attention to the effects of race, class, ethnicity, gender, and various types of social discrimination.