Students are required to complete a policy analysis. Students will engage in critically analyzing a policy in understanding their role in policy development and implementation within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, and ways they will actively engage in policy to effect change within practice settings. Students are required to: 

1.  Select and study a specific social policy on the local, state, or federal level that promotes social, economic, environmental justice, peace, or equity.
2. Research the existing literature on the issues of your selected policy. Discuss if the policy was developed by legislators, congressional persons, or interested parties who had a mutually agreed-on focus for its development with desired outcomes. Discuss advocacy skills that were evident in the literature that was used to advocate for human rights and social and economic, and environmental justice.
3. Critically analyze the policy using cognitive and affective processes (e.g., thinking, reasoning, emotions, feelings, etc.)
4. Write a 3-4 page critical analysis paper of the policy. In two paragraphs, briefly describe the policy content, level of government (local, state, federal) and main issue(s) and goals. Discuss and critically analyze the arguments for and against the issue (s), underlying values, beliefs, and assumptions reflected in the policy, how would you modify the policy to be more effectively meet its goals, and what makes the issue(s) political. Also discuss strategies within the policy to promote human and civil rights. Briefly discuss implications of the policy and ways social workers will use the policy to engage in practices to advocate and advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

Listed are some (you may access others) Web Sites for background reading and research for policy analysis paper:National Poverty Center ………………. http://www.npc.umich.eduMichigan Program on Poverty and Social Welfare Policy ….http://www.fordschool.umich.edu/research/poverty/index.phpMDRC…………………http://www.mdrc.orgUrban Institute…………http://www.urban.orgAdministration for Children and Families………http://www.acf.dhhs.govAsst. Secy. Of HHS for Planning and Evaluation ………http://www.aspe.os.dhhs.govBrookings Institution………………………………http://ww.brookings.eduCensus Bureau……………………………………..http://www.census.govCenter for Law and Social Policy………………….http://www.clasp.orgFragile Families and Child Well-Being……………http://www.fragilefamilies.princeton.edu/Heritage Foundation………………………………..http://www.heritage.org