Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
Office: Battelle-Tompkins Hall, Room T-11
Phone: (202) 885-2443
Email: vidalort@american.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 3:30-6:30; Tuesdays 2:30-5:30 PM
Fall 2008
SOCY 580.001 – Social Policy Analysis
Tuesdays 5:30- 8:00, Ward 114
This course offers a comprehensive first approach to the study of social policy analysis. The course
has been designed around the discussion as well as the applicability of social policy. While there is
also the evaluation of social policy (SOCY 680, Social Policy Research), and the application of
theory and methods into the newer Public Sociology (SOCY 684, Seminar in Public Sociology), this
class focuses on the understanding and critical analysis of social policy formation/implementation.
The “analysis” part of the title is about critically thinking various sociological themes or issues that
are relevant for today’s social policy-making, even if seldom thought of as, or linked to, the policy
arena. Policy-making is also about the various levels in which policy can be dealt with—from the
interpersonal to institutional levels and also global issues that impact US social policy. As such, the
course is tailored not to a one-size-fits-all social policy approach, but to a new understanding of social
policy: what it is, how it is shaped, its relevance to sociology/sociologists, and how it is implemented.
This class will focus on how social justice frameworks can have an impact on social policy. Due to
this, the Social Policy Analysis course complements the department’s emphasis on Race, Gender
and Social Justice. Because our social policy analysis needs to be based on our recognition of social
inequalities (and the possibilities for social change), many readings focus on aspects of gender,
sexuality, class, and race/ethnicity. After the first six sessions, when we will discuss the basic
parameters of social policy, and sociological frameworks (including applied work in relationship to
social policy), our focus will shift into weekly themes—examples of various aspects to be
considered in social policy. I have included issues that address the body, the notion of “the family,”
communities, and current issues that fracture the idea of “the nation,” as well as illustrate
globalization’s impact, in order to offer a more complete analysis of social policy at various levels.
This course will:
(1) familiarize you with traditional social policy arguments and writings,
(2) connect social policy to sociological theory (and applied/public sociology work),
(3) socialize you to the sociological web of organizations where social policy is studied,
(4) introduce topics traditionally understudied when thinking of social policy, and
(5) offer an opportunity to apply some of your interests as components of social policy.
As either undergraduate or graduate students, you will also be able to:
(6) write an original proposal to address a particular policy-making issue, and
(7) present it to the rest of the classmates.
These last two aspects of the class objectives will assist you in either preparing a conference talk
(see, for instance, the Ann Robyn Mathias Student Research Conference held each spring,
1
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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http://www.american.edu/cas/src.cfm) and/or hopefully, have you complete a BA/MA/MS
thesis/project proposal with a well thought social policy framework.
•
•
Master’s students are encouraged to complete a draft of their proposals as a final paper.
As one of the options for an undergraduate advanced methods courses (for sociology
majors and minors), such students will benefit from an additional methodological set of
discussions in our analysis of the various policy-driven issues.
Articles and selected readings are uploaded in blackboard and available throughout the
university’s library e-reserve system. [I do not require a textbook for this class. However,
be advised that I may add readings as handouts or email documents, as needed.]
The course requirement breakdown is:
(1) Active Participation. Discussing course material is essential for any professor to verify
that students are reading the material and comprehend it. Fifteen percent (15%) of your
grade is based on how you engage with the rest of your classmates, the assigned reading,
and any additional material. As upper level undergraduates and graduate students, class
participation for seminars like this one requires your continuous attendance. Attendance to
most (if not all) sessions is expected. [Also, in order to fully engage methods’ discussions,
undergraduate and graduate students will share, on a weekly basis, the assumptions about
data gathering and research methods incorporated in assigned readings and reports.]
(2) A group presentation describing an argument out of four “tracks” of critical social policy
analysis study. It will require a coordinated presentation (with a balance of BA and MA
students) as well as a written outline (group notes) on the main issues and how to address
them in policy. This presentation will account for 15 % of your final grade.
(3) A set of 3/4 brief (4-5 pp.) papers serving as critiques offering policy recommendations
on specific topics. These are policy reports or policy action/advocacy organizations’
demands, and each of these will account for a ten percent (10%) of the grade, for a total of
30%. These recommendations should use the readings from the first five weeks as a
foundation for such analysis. You will notice that the syllabus includes 4 of these
documents. I will require that all of you complete the first three, as a way for me to
evaluate your thinking on policy issues, but also to provide feedback on your writing
abilities (writing is not simply about ‘speaking’ ideas on paper, but about communicating
often complex ideas in coherent ways). Upon completion of the first three papers, you will
know whether I expect you to complete the 4th one. The feedback on the first three should
suggest whether I would like for you to work on your analyses and your writing.
(4) A proposal for addressing a social policy implementation on a topic of your choice. This
proposal needs to be of significant length (8-12 pp.). Potential social policy ideas need to
be shared in the classroom by October 21 (which, along with a one page related 8-10
source bibliography, will count for 5% of your final grade), and 2 page project proposals
will need to be presented and turned in (as in-progress) on November 4 (for an
additional 5 % of your grade). The final written proposal/paper counts for 30% of your
grade, and it will be due on the final examination date. (Final guidelines can be revised.)
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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This is a chart that includes the grade/task breakdown:
Task
1
Description
%
15
2
Active Participation
(which depends on attendance)
Group Work/Presentation
3
3/4 small essays @ 10 % each
30
4a
Brief individual presentation idea
5
4b
Proposal
5
4c
Final Proposal (end of semester)
30
15
Grading
Format/Venue
On going evaluation
(in-class )
Few key elements
(see instructions)
Rubric
(detailed comments)
Few key elements
(see instructions)
Rubric
(e-mail comments)
Rank sheet
(as per instructions)
Notes on grading
Engage healthy debate; inquire, read,
comment on class material
Show group work; stress the policy
importance of the “track” area
Show/improve analytical/writing
skills; engage several policy reports
Show actual progress; communicate
effectively; incorporate criticism
Timely develop outline for paper;
begin to formulate ideas, add criticism
Creativity of policy issue (i.e., nontraditional policy); critical analysis
The performance for this class will be measured using this grade system:
A
B
C
D
F
Excellent – Fulfills each course requirement thoughtfully, using strong analytical skills.
A grade of an A demonstrates superior work both in its written and oral components.
Very Good – Fulfills course requirements with not as strong of an analytical
component, but excellent quality work in either its written or oral component.
Satisfactory – Fulfills course requirements at a satisfactory minimum.
Unsatisfactory or incomplete work – Assigned work is not satisfactory or not
completed as stipulated in the course deadlines. This also applies when failing to meet
minimum attendance requirements.
Failure to meet minimum course requirements – This includes class participation and
written and oral course requirements, as well as attendance.
Please take note of the academic integrity code to which you are in agreement by registering
every semester and as part of your acknowledgment of general registration policies
(http://www.american.edu/american/registrar/AcademicReg/New/reg80.html). Aspects included
in the academic integrity code are plagiarism, dishonesty in examinations, papers, and copyright
violations. Know that I take these violations seriously!
A note about religious/spiritual celebrations: Throughout the semester, I may need to ask for
your cooperation some of the evenings, as there are various celebrations (from different faith
traditions—at least those that are recognized as such by the University) that take place close to
our class schedule. This impacts our class in particular because of the evening time allocated for
it. I might ask students for an alternative time to meet if such evenings prove to be a challenge to
given practitioners. (We’ll discuss ahead of time and come up with various options if needed.)
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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The following is an outline of class readings and assignments and their due dates.
Part I: Social Policy Fundamentals for Sociologists
Week 1: Introduction to Social Policy and its (sociological) analysis [Aug. 26]
Initial lecture: Outline of the course, papers and research requirements, participation and
overall class structure. [Distribute handouts.]
⇒ Social Policy versus Public Policy discussion/exercise
Week 2: The Basics of Social Policy—What is it and how it works [Sept. 2]∗
Brief discussion of handouts from last week
(1) “What is Social Policy?” Hill, Michael. 2003. Understanding Social Policy, 7th ed.
(2) “Introduction” and “Chapter 1: The Problem.” Noble, Charles. 1997. Welfare as
we Knew it: A Political History of the American Welfare State.
(3) “The History of Sociological Practice.” Dentler, Robert A. 2002. Practicing Sociology.
Optional: Chapter 2: “Social Welfare Policy Analysis.” Howard Jacob Karger, David Stoesz.
2006. American Social Welfare Policy: A Pluralist Approach, 5th ed. Allyn & Bacon.
(This reading is also useful for the final project/proposal you will need to complete.)
► Last day to drop a course with 100% refund - September 8, 2008
Week 3: Complementing policy with theory: four “tracks” for reading presentations [Sept. 9]
The class will be divided into four groups of about 5-6 students, with a mix of MA and BA students,
and along one of these four areas of study - each focusing on an axis of power that is theoretically
necessary in order to think about social policy critically.
Topic/track
Race
Film to watch/discuss
Race: Power of an Illusion
# 3, The House we live in.
[VHS 7443]
Class/economic Life & Debt
inequality
[DVD 2218]
Gender
Sexuality
∗
Cruel and Unusual
[DVD 3969]
The Gay Agenda
[VHS 2171]
Related reading
Lewis, Amanda E.; Maria Krysan; Sharon M. Collins; Korie
Edwards; Geoff Ward. 2004. Chapter 1. “Institutional Patterns and
Transformations: Race and Ethnicity in Housing, Education, Labor
Markets, Religion, and Criminal Justice.” Pp. 67-119 in The
Changing Terrain of Race and Ethnicity, Maria Krysan and
Amanda E. Lewis, eds. Russell Sage Foundation.
Sernau, Scott. 2006. Chapter 1: “Class, a world of rich and poor.”
Pp. 7-32 in Global Problems: the search for equity, peace
and sustainability.
Hines, Sally. 2008. “Transgendering Care: Practices of Care within
Transgender Communities.” Critical Social Policy, 27 (4): 462-486.
Irvine, Janice. 2008. “Transient Feelings: Sex panics and
the politics of Emotions.” GLQ, 14, 1: 1-40.
Ramadan religious observance [Sept. 1-30, Islam – with (what seems to be) no direct impact on the class]
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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Week 4: Making links between social justice theoretical frameworks and social policy [Sept. 16]
⇒Each group will present based on “track”
⇒Small (mixed “track”) group discussion: Debriefing on each other’s process
⇒Large group conversation about implications
Week 5: The Politics (and economics) in Social Policy [Sept. 23]
•
Chapters 1, 2, and 9: “Overview,” “Understanding the Politics of Policies: A
Methodological Approach,” and “Politicization of Public Services,” in The Politics of
Policies: Economic and Social Progress in Latin America. 2006 Report by the InterAmerican Development Bank. David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.
Harvard University Press.
Optional: [Handout] Cortés, Rosalía. 2008. “The Contemporary Social Policy Debate in Latin
America.” Global Social Policy 8, 1: 109-114.
Guest Speaker: Laura Ripani, Ph.D., Economist, Inter-American Development Bank
 Report: Women, Work, and the Academy: Strategies for Responding to ‘Post-Civil Rights
Era’ Gender Discrimination in Academia, produced at Barnard College
Week 6: The ‘Moynihan’ Report: Social Policy from the past… …and for the Future? [Sept. 30]∗
•
•
•
Office of Policy Planning and Research, US Department of Labor. 1965. “The Negro Family:
The Case for National Action” popularly known as “The Moynihan Report.”
[Handout] Lewis, Oscar. 1998 [1963]. “The Culture of Poverty” Reprinted in Society 35, 2: 7-9.
Fultz, Michael and Anthony Brown. 2008. “Historical Perspectives on African American
Males as Subjects of Education Policy.” American Behavioral Scientist, 51, 7: 854-871.
Recommended: Murji, Karim. 2007. “Sociological Engagements: Institutional Racism and Beyond.”
Sociology, 41, 5: 843-855. (It focuses on the term “institutional” and on public sociology.)
Background: Several (4) articles on ‘public sociology,’ for those not familiar with the
concept (which is mentioned in Murji’s article), are included on Blackboard.
Optional: Ferguson, Roderick A. 2004. “Something Else to Be: Sula, The Moynihan Report,
and the Negotiations of Black Lesbian Feminism.” Pp. 110-137 in Aberrations in Black:
Toward a Queer of Color Critique. Minnesota. (Although the full chapter is good, you may
focus on portions dealing with the report only.)
Invited Speaker: Brandon Sturdivant, MA Candidate, [Public] Sociology
∗
Rosh Hashanah [Jewish celebration] starts this evening.
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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Part II . Application of Social Policy: Case Studies of Specific Social Policy Issues
A. The Body
Week 7: HIV/AIDS Research: Education, Prevention, Care and Treatment [Oct. 7]
•
•
•
Hicks, Kandree E.; Josephine A. Allen; Ednita M. Wright. 2005. “Building Holistic
HIV/AIDS Responses in African American Urban Faith Communities: A Qualitative,
Multiple Case Study Analysis.” Family and Community Health, 28, 2: 184-205.
Berkman, Alan; Jonathan Garcia; Miguel Muñoz-Laboy; Vera Paiva; Richard Parker.
2005. “A Critical Analysis of the Brazilian Response to HIV/AIDS: Lessons Learned for
Controlling and Mitigating the Epidemic in Developing Countries.” American Journal of
Public Health 95, 7: 1162-72.
Adam, Barry D. 2005. “Constructing the Neoliberal Sexual Actor: Responsibility and Care
of the Self in the Discourse of Barebackers.” Culture, Health & Sexuality, 7, 4: 333-346.
Optional: Durr, Marlese. 2005. “Sex, Drugs, and HIV: Sisters of Laundromat,” Gender & Society
19, 6: 721-8.
 Report on HIV/AIDS as a Human Rights issue:
soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/law/articles_publications/publications/human_20071017
Week 8: Reproductive Rights and Birthing/Child Raising Practices in Policy [Oct. 14]∗
•
•
•
•
Jones, Rachel K., Mia R. S. Zolna, Stanley K. Henshaw, and Lawrence B. Finer. 2008.
“Abortion in the United States: incidence and Access to Services, 2005.” Perspectives on
Sexual and Reproductive Health, 40, 1: 6-16.
Sichel, Dana L. 2008. “Giving Birth in Shackles: A Constitutional and Human Rights
Violation.” Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, 16, 2: 223-255.
Halley, Jean. 2007. (Chapter 5) “Violent Touch: Feminists, Conservatives, and Child
Sexual Abuse.” Pp. 130-150 plus endnotes in Boundaries of Touch: Parenting & AdultChild Intimacy.
Fields, Jessica. 2005. “Children Having Children: Race, Innocence, and Sexuality
Education.” Social Problems 52, 4: 549-571.
Recommended: Burke, Phyllis. 1996. “The Feminine Boy Project at UCLA.” Pages 32-85 in
Gender Shock: Exploding the Myths of Male & Female. NY: Anchor Books. (Illustrates
narratives resulting from 1970s federally funded research focusing on ‘feminine’ boys.)
Optional: Sedgwick, Eve K. 1993. “How to Bring Your Kids Up Gay: The War on Effeminate
Boys.” Pp. 154-164 in Tendencies. Durham, NC: Duke Univ. Press.
∗
Sukkot [Jewish celebration] starts this evening.
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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B. The Family
Week 9: Domestic Violence [Oct. 21]∗
•
•
Smith, Brenda V. 2005. “Battering, Forgiveness, and Redemption: Alternative Models for
Addressing Domestic Violence in Communities of Color.” Pp. 321-39 in Domestic
Violence at the Margins: Readings on Race, Class, Gender, and Culture. Ed. by Natalie J.
Sokoloff (with Christina Pratt). New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
Coker, Donna. 2005. “Shifting Power for Battered Women: Law, Material Resources, and
Poor Women of Color.” Pp. 369-88 in Domestic Violence at the Margins: Readings on
Race, Class, Gender, and Culture. Ed. by Natalie J. Sokoloff (with Christina Pratt). New
Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
 Report on state domestic violence laws by Neal Miller, Institute for Law and Justice
Today: We will informally discuss each individual proposal idea (2-3 minutes) for an issue/topic
for the final proposal/paper. Also, hand-in a 8-10 source of related bibliography.
► Last Day to Drop a Course – Oct 24, 2008
Week 10: Welfare Reform and Its Intersections [Oct. 28]+
•
•
Cahill, Sean. 2005. “Welfare Moms and the two Grooms: the concurrent promotion and
restriction of Marriage in US Public Policy,” Sexualities 8, 2: 169-87.
Alexander Jr., Rudolph. 2005. Chapter 7: “African Americans and Reparations.” Pp. 91106 in Racism, African Americans, and Social Justice. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Optional: Scott, Ellen K., Andrew S. London, and Nancy A. Myers. 2002. “Dangerous
Dependencies: The Intersection of Welfare Reform and Domestic Violence,”
Gender & Society 16, 6: 878-97.
C. Communities
Week 11: Race/Ethnicity (and Migration), Housing, and the Justice System [Nov. 4]
•
•
∗
+
Warren, Simon. 2007. “Migration, race and education: evidence-based policy or
institutional racism?” Race Ethnicity and Education, 10 (4): 367-385.
Harris, Alexes, Walter Allen. 2004. “Lest we forget thee … The Under- and overrepresentation of Black and Latino youth in California higher education and juvenile
justice institutions,” Race & Society 6, 2: 99-123.
Sh’mini Atzeret [Jewish celebration] starts this evening.
Diwali (Deepawali) [Vedic/Hindu celebration] starts this evening.
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
Page 8
Optional: Friedman, Samantha, and Gregory D. Squires. 2005. “Does the Community
Reinvestment Act Help Minorities Access traditionally Inaccessible
Neighborhoods?,” Social Problems 52, 2:209-31.
Today: Proposal Presentations (initial discussion); be prepared for giving/getting feedback/
recommendations for completing the proposal/final presentation. Turn in a 2 page outline.
D. Ideological differences from traditional ideas about family, community, and nation
Week 12: An alternative to (our) democracy: Venezuela’s Bolivarian revolution, community
councils, and mobilization from the bottom up [Nov. 11]•
•
•
•
Telles, Edward D. 2007. “Race and Ethnicity and Latin America’s United Nations Millennium
Development Goals.” Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies, 2, 2: 185-200.
Hawkins, Kirk A., David R. Hansen. 2006. “Dependent Civil Society: The Círculos
Bolivarianos in Venezuela.” Latin American Research Review 41, 1: 102-132
Morgan, Jana. 2007. “Partisanship During the Collapse of Venezuela’s Party System.”
Latin American Research Review 42, 1: 78-98.
Recommended: Sosa Elizaga, Raquel. 2006. “Sociology and the South: the Latin American
Experience.” Current Sociology, 54, 3: 413-425.
Invited Guests: Presentation by students from the 2008 Alternative Summer Break to Venezuela.
Week 13: Sex Work and Trafficking reconsidered against notions of the “family” and the
“Nation” [Nov. 18]
•
•
Ditmore, Melissa. 2005. “Trafficking in Lives: How Ideology Shapes Policy.” Pp. 107-26
in Trafficking and Prostitution Reconsidered: New Perspectives on Migration, Sex Work,
and Human Rights, ed. by Kamala Kempadoo. Paradigm Publishers.
Frank, Katherine. 2005. “Exploring the Motivations and Fantasies of Strip Club
Customers in Relation to Legal Regulations.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 34, 5: 487-504.
Optional: Bernstein, Elizabeth. 1999. “What’s Wrong with Prostitution? What’s Right with Sex
Work? Comparing Markets in Female Sexual Labor.” Hastings Women’s Law Journal 10,
1:91-117.
Guest Speaker: Darby Hickey, former Director, Different Avenues, on ‘Move Along’ report
 Recent report on Different Avenues’ community-based research at: www.differentavenues.org
► No scheduled class for today – Tuesday, November 25, 2007 [“Thanksgiving” weekend]
•
Birth of Baha’u’llah [Baha’i celebration] starts this evening.
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
Page 9
E. The impact of Globalization on Policy
Week 14: Migration/Colonization/Globalization and Terrorism [Dec. 2]
•
•
Fukumura, Yoko, Martha Matsuoka. 2002. “Redefining Security: Okinawa Women’s
Resistance to U.S. Militarism.” Pp. 239-63 in Women’s Activism and Globalization:
Linking Local Struggles and Transnational Politics, ed. N. Naples, M. Desai. Routledge.
Puar, Jasbir K., Amit S. Rai. 2002. “Monster, Terrorist, Fag: The War on Terrorism and
the Production of Docile Patriots.” Social Text 72, 20, 3: 117-48.
Optional: Lorber, Judith. 2005. Chapter 4: “Heroes, Warriors, and Burqas: Gender after
September 11,” Pp. 102-29 in Breaking the Bowls: Degendering and Feminist Change.
W.W. Norton.
Week 15: Proposals/Final Papers and Final Papers Presentations
⇒ Exam day/time scheduled for Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008, at 5:30 PM.
********************************************************
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
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Guidelines for: Group Presentations
As illustrated on the chart for week 3, the class will be divided into small student groups of about
5 or 6 each, and each group will present (for about 20-25 minutes) on one of the four areas or
‘tracks’ to theoretically ground the rest of the class discussions. These divisions will, to the extent
possible, accommodate to your interests. (Students will, in addition, weave in the topic of the
film/documentary to the reading assigned.) Some of the aspects you are required to include in
your discussion (in preparation for the presentation, and when you actually present), are:
1. What, in summary, are some of the general points made in the readings that can be
applied to current social policy?
2. What are the implications for your group’s area of study/“track” in relation to
decisions around what becomes or does not become social policy?
3. [Individual & group question] Is there a theoretical angle from this work that has
helped you further your ideas/topic for the final policy paper? Why or Why not?
4. What are the particular methods, data sources, and analyses provided in the reading?
5. How do we apply their findings or suggestions to various arenas, for instance, US
Policy/International relations/Local communities?
6. What are the exemplary (pluses) and areas of development (minuses) on the issues
raised by the readings? Are they making (un)substantiated claims?
Make sure you provide me an outline of the group’s notes for your presentation. Also include in
that outline a general sense of which members contributed which parts to the presentation
planning. (Notice that there are six suggested questions/areas for work, and your work should be
balanced as the group’s work should not fall on one or a couple of you.)
Guidelines for: Analytic Reflections/Policy Recommendations
You will write a 4-5 page paper (double spaced) for each of the 3/4 reports assigned. As these are
all policy reports prepared from different angles or for different audiences, you can highlight
pieces of legislation and how they maybe relevant to that assignment, or advances in some policy
area related to the assignment. You can also address directly the recommendations either implicit
or explicit in the report. The recommendations will depend on whatever you think the emergent
policy issue(s) is/are from reading the assigned reports.
Remember that you will need to refer to/incorporate some of the readings from the first several
weeks that focus on social policy to make your reflections/recommendations.
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
Page 11
Guidelines for: Initial Proposal
Incorporating the feedback from the 8-10 reference list turned in before, you will produce a 2 page
outline for the sections and core arguments you plan to address on your final proposal. Make sure
you identify in your writing:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
what the issue is,
who the ‘players’ involved are,
the legal/administrative ramifications, if any
the social relevance of your issue (most issues do have a social relevance), and
suggested, tentative paths for furthering a social policy for that issue.
See also the final proposal guidelines for more detail.
Guidelines for: Social Policy Implementation Proposal
1. Identify the root or cause of the issue that you would like to address. If you are writing the
proposal as a final paper, this may serve as the introduction to the issue you want to study.
(This portion of your proposal/paper is linked to the notion of ‘something’ that is
constituted as a social problem. Later on in the paper, if you are interested, and if possible,
you can address the ‘sociology of knowledge’ aspect of your project - what makes this a
social problem, or issue, or emergent gap.)
2. Identify existing mechanisms and the ways they fail to address the issue you are studying.
(If such mechanisms do not exist, point to relevant institutions/programs that can
alternatively be linked to the issue you are studying.) If writing the proposal as a paper,
this section may constitute a review of the relevant institutions and/or federal, state, or
local government, non-profit, businesses, or international foundations (for instance) that
are supposed to address the gap or issue you are studying. (Could it be that not everyone
sees this as a social problem? Why? Is this uneven view based on who holds power within
given institutions or even in the social/policy arena making?)
3. What are the political and economic frameworks that influence the lack of addressing this
issue (or inspire/provoke this gap)? Are there too many interpretations—some of which
must clash—as to what would ‘resolve’ this social problem, issue, or gap?
4. What are alternative ways to view this issue? Here, you can engage literature that offers
another way to look at the issue or gap.
5. What could existing mechanisms (or institutions in place) do to address this issue or gap?
Does it require—in your view—a restructuring of a system in place or an adjustment to the
current system?
6. What would you suggest as a few recommendations to the social policy issues emergent
from the issue? (Use the various readings as potential sources to substantiate your
recommendations and overall response.)
Make sure you also review Chapter 2: Social Welfare Policy Analysis (by Karger & Stoesz), for
additional guidelines if you pursue the proposal writing option for your final paper.
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
Page 12
Some important websites to browse (now and then):
(These sites just might give you a sense of what sort of policy issue you want to pursue!)
General policy and micro-economic sites:
Americas’ Policy Program: http://americas.irc-online.org/
Kiva: Loans that change lives: www.kiva.org
Gender-issue centered:
Banco de Desarrollo de la Mujer en Venezuela: http://www.banmujer.gob.ve/
Maternity/Paternity Leave and other matters: http://www.momsrising.org/
Reproductive Health website: http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Data Resource Center http://www.jrsa.org/dvsa-drc/index.html
Women’s Policy Inc: http://www.womenspolicy.org/site/PageServer
Women for Parity: http://www.womenforparity.net/
Transgender studies and academic-related materials: http://trans-academics.org
University sites:
Stanford’s University Center for Study Poverty: http://www.stanford.edu/group/scspi/index.html
Syracuse University’s Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/moynihan/
Durham University, Center for Public Policy and Health: http://www.dur.ac.uk/public.health/
Research ideas:
Ted’s research and policy on global social issues: http://www.ted.com
Socy 580 - Social Policy Analysis
Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, Ph.D.
Page 13
Potential resources/additional readings on social policy:
Bonastia, Christopher. 2006. Knocking on the Door: The Federal Government’s Attempt to
Desegregate the Suburbs. Princeton University Press.
Dean, Hartley. 2006. Social Policy: Short Introductions. Cambridge, UK and Malden, MA:
Polity Press.
Johnson, Michael P. 2008. A Typology of Domestic Violence: intimate Terrorism, Violent
Resistance, and Situation Couple Violence. Northeastern University Press.
Winter, Nicholas J. G. 2008. Dangerous Frames: How Ideas About Race & Gender Shape Public
Opinion. University of Chicago Press.
This is a very short list of potential (contemporary) social policy topics:
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Unemployment and welfare on a comparative basis (comparing several states)
Same-sex marriage and the question of entitlement/benefits
Social security and government administration of aging benefits
Religion and social policy: traditional and marginal religions in US policy-making
Social security and chronically-managed illness (such as AIDS)
The impact of public opinion on public policy and social policy
HPV Vaccines and the racialized sexuality of Black/Latina youth
Immigration policy and US social service provision
Red-lining patterns among inner city and suburban areas in US housing
Community councils and negotiation of ethical behaviors within households
Ebonics and the question of indigenous/alternative speech/writing patterns in education
Development, the forces of globalization, and a critical social policy of the global south
Immigration law reform in the 21st century
Reproductive rights and evidence based policy
Public sociology and social policy-making
Abstinence only policies for youth (abstinence as pregnancy & illness prevention)
Mental illness diagnoses and treatment
Substance use and misuse [i.e., “meth” use among middle-America wives]
The prison industrial complex and marginalized populations
Global slavery and poverty (global north and global south)
Policies on international adoption of children (and domestic ethno-racial minority kids)
The privatization of health insurance and the poor
Privatization and subcontracting of social services
Transnational and border corporations and the nation-state
International trade and negotiations