This is a formal policy analysis paper addressing problems and policies of state or national importance in social welfare. The paper is intended to develop skills for defining and describing contemporary problems involving social and or/economic justice, and for understanding how New York State, and /or the United States and its residents deal with such problems. It will help students hone skills to choose and advance policy strategies for improving current arrangements. Such an analysis requires locating up-to-the-minute information and determining the nature of the contemporary policy discourse. The primary focus should be on evolving or recent legislation, not on local program or local service delivery.
2 Points: Introduction: Briefly state what you intend to accomplish in the paper.
A. (20 points) Social Policy Definition and Description: Substantiate the importance of the problem you have selected. Address the following:
What specific problem is being analyzed?
What issues frame the contemporary discussion of the problem?
How can the problem be measured with respect to its magnitude? Duration? Severity? Consequences?
B. (20 points) Social Policy Analysis
Who is intended to be helped? Who is left out? Who is blamed for the problem?
What are the characteristics of the population(s) of interest?
What social, economic, political, cultural (and perhaps psychological) factors “explain” the problem?
How has the problem changed over time?
C. (20 points) Policy Description. Describe how the government deals with the problem. Concentrate on federal or NYS policies. Examine the following:
What is the most important existing or proposed legislation addressing the problem?
State the current status of the legislation or proposed legislation.
What are the major programs, benefits, or services provided or proposed?
What is their rationale?
To whom are they, or would they, be provided?
How are or will they be administered and financed?
D. (20 points) Critique and Recommendations. Assess the policy responses described from the standpoint of their effectiveness and efficiency. Based on your critique, offer recommendations for improvement. Address the following question:
How well do the existing policies work?
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
What goals should be set to improve things?
What policy strategies can achieve these goals?
Who, specifically, should take responsibility for improving things?
What costs might be involved in your proposed strategy? Are they justified by the benefits to be realized?
Are your recommendations implementable?
What might go wrong with your solution?
(2 points) Summary. Review major points and conclude.
(8 points) Grammar, punctuation, APA style
(8 points) Thoroughness, quality, and sophistication of arguments made
There aren’t a specific amount of sources due, this would be up to the writer depending on the legislation they choose 🙂
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