HS 334A — Child and Family Policy

Discusses the definition of family, examines the emergence of family policy in the U.S., and utilizes various models and theories to analyze the policies and service systems designed to support or “manage” families and the issues they face. We discuss the challenges families experience, the policy solutions that have been devised to address these challenges, what those solutions look like “on the ground," and how they work out and for whom. Guest speakers share their perspectives as individuals with lived experiences and/or as professionals working in the field of child and family policy and services. The course also features “Book Clubs” which give students the opportunity to read personal stories that bring in a wider array of views and voices on how the lives of families are influenced by various policies and connections or gaps between policies. Usually offered every year.