Take on the role of a human services advocate. You will analyze a current social welfare policy issue of your choice with a critical eye, assessing its impact on marginalized individuals and groups and evaluating how the concepts of “deserving” and “undeserving” poor may have affected the policy’s implementation. Finally, propose a solution to address the issue in question.
Choose one topic that you would like to research from the topics listed below (or choose another topic of interest that you would like to pursue with instructor approval). Examples of legislation are included to help you focus your research.
Disability topics: Inclusion, equal rights, employment, education
Examples of legislation: ADA, Ryan White, mental health parity, IDEA
Criminal justice – Adult topics: Racial profiling and disproportionalities, criminalization of mental illness and/or homelessness, hate crimes, war on drugs
Examples of legislation: Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994), Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009), syringe exchange policies
Criminal justice – Youth topics: School violence, juvenile sentencing policies
Examples of legislation: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (2001)
Family violence and child welfare topics: Child abuse (physical, sexual) and neglect; partner violence; adoption for GLBTQ families; inter-ethnic adoptions
Examples of legislation: Adoption and Safe Families Act, sex offender registry laws, Indian Child Welfare Act
Violence against women topics: Sexual assault, sexual harassment, spousal abuse, threats of violence
Examples of legislation: Violence Against Women Act (part of Crime Control Act above), the Clery Act, Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SAVE) Act
Reproductive rights and health topics: Abortion, parental consent, sex education
Examples of legislation: Abstinence-only education, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provisions regarding teen parents
Sexual orientation topics: Rights in the military, hate crimes, employment discrimination, housing discrimination