Course Summary
This course explores the concept and history of the welfare state, including its development, policies, and controversies.Key Learning Points
- Understand the origins and evolution of the welfare state
- Analyze different welfare state policies and their effectiveness
- Evaluate the controversies surrounding the welfare state
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the historical context and development of the welfare state
- Critically analyze welfare state policies and their impact
- Evaluate the controversies surrounding the welfare state
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic understanding of political science and economics
- Interest in social welfare policies and their impact
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online self-paced
- Video lectures
- Quizzes
Similar Courses
- Global Social Policy
- Social and Economic Networks: Models and Analysis
- Foundations of Development Policy: Advanced Development Economics
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Thomas Piketty
- Nancy Fraser
- Amartya Sen
Related Books
Description
In all nations, social policy is a very large public investment. Course 1 will explore the size, structure, and outcomes of U.S. social policy and compare this policy to those of similar developed countries. The course will also probe the values this policy represents and the values debate regarding about how big our welfare state should be— in other words, how much of our education, housing, health, income support, and social services the government should supply and how much individuals should supply for themselves. This course addresses issues of power, oppression, and white supremacy.
Knowledge
- Describe the development of the welfare state across developed nations distinguishing choices made in education, health or pensions
- Evaluate the structures of the US welfare state to explain US choices in education, health or pensions of those seeking aid.
- Differentiate the public and private welfare state to interpret structures of education, health or pensions to those seeking services
- Honors: Summarize and critique readings to professionally interpret them. Identify a topic to a professional memo.
Outline
- Social Policy and the Welfare State
- Sequence video: Why Social Policy - alumni
- Sequence Opening - Why study Social Policy with John Robertson?
- Domains
- Values
- Expenditures
- Welfare State
- Module 1 Wrap Up
- The Honors assignments
- Policy Project: Introduction
- Reading 1: The Welfare State
- Quiz: Module 1 Overview
- Social Policy Structure
- Introduction
- Education
- Healthcare
- Social Insurance
- Public Aid
- Social Services
- Platforms, Floors and Safety Nets by Professor Garfinkel
- Housing
- Module 2 Wrap Up
- Federal Benefits and Services for People with Low Income
- Quiz: Module 2 Overview
- Comparing U.S. Social Policy with Europe: Investment & Effects
- Introduction
- Education
- Early Childhood by Professor Waldfogel
- Healthcare
- Income
- Leader? Or Laggard? by Professor Garfinkel
- Module 3 Wrap Up
- Dr. Heidi Allen's TEDMED talk on "the cost of being uninsured in America"
- Welfare State Myths and Measurement
- Quiz: Module 3 Overview
- Does the Welfare State Enrich Us of Impoverish Us?
- Politics and Policy
- Size of the Welfare State
- The Structure of the Welfare State
- Floors, Platforms and Safety Nets
- Outcomes
- Fragile Families by Professor Garfinkel
- Wealth & the Welfare State by Professor Garfinkel
- Economic Conservatives
- Social Conservatives
- Liberalism & Social Democrats
- Module 4 Wrap Up
- Summary & Critique Description
- Summary and Critique: How to Evaluate
- Understand the Hidden $1.1 Trillion Welfare System and How to Reform it
- Quiz: Module 4 Overview
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the history and impact of welfare state policies with this comprehensive course on Coursera. Users have praised the course for its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors. One key aspect that many users thought was good is the course's emphasis on both historical and current welfare policies.Pros from User Reviews
- Engaging content
- Knowledgeable instructors
- Comprehensive overview of welfare state policies
- In-depth analysis of historical and current policies
- Interactive quizzes and assignments
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course challenging
- The course may be too basic for some advanced learners
- Limited focus on specific countries' welfare policies
- Not enough focus on the negative impacts of welfare policies
- Some users found the course structure confusing
John Robertson
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