SOCIAL POLICY, JUSTICE & THE LAW

Catalog description

The course introduces students to two powerful systems creating policy around social welfare and mental health: the legislative and judicial system. Information on the structure, composition, and function of these systems, along with various forces that influence them, such as lobbyists, activists, social movements, religious groups, and wealthy benefactors is provided. Case examples will demonstrate how the two systems work (independently and in partnership). Through case examples, students will learn how legislative and judicial decision impact clinical social work practice and how social workers can impact legislative and judicial decisions.