Social Policy Signature

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course provides a survey of social policy, drawing on insights from economics, political science, sociology, and philosophy. The objectives of the course are four-fold. We will first overview trends in income, inequality, and government spending around the world over the past century. We will then discuss when, how, and why governments enact policies intended to improve individuals’ well-being. Third, we will examine case-study examples of interventions aimed at improving housing, health, nutrition, and income. Finally, we will explore how policies vary with historical factors and political institutions using a comparative perspective. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to a range of theoretical and empirical tools used in policy analysis.