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This is a social work policy class
OBJECTIVE
Students will select a written op-ed piece from a major newspaper, newsmagazine, or another widely reputable news source that approaches a policy issue of your choice from a perspective that differs from your own beliefs or opinions. The purpose of this assignment is two-fold: to explore the intersection of values and policy and to critically engage with perspectives that differ from your own.
The “Engaging with Political Difference” assignment supports the course objectives listed below:
· Understand how social welfare policy may be used to advance or hinder the pursuit of social, economic, racial, or political justice
· Examine changing values in social welfare and how they are affected by changing political, economic, and social contexts
· Critically explain how social values, ethics, ideology, and social policy have affected individuals and groups that have been targets of discrimination
· Recognize selected social and political theories and their application to social policy
· Demonstrate critical thinking skills, using theory as a lens, to understand policy development, political behavior, and social service delivery systems
FORMAT
You must select a single written op-ed piece from a major newspaper, newsmagazine, or other widely reputable news source that takes a perspective you disagree with. This must be an opinion piece (not a news article) that addresses a policy issue in some depth. Letters to the Editor (a short letter written by a reader to comment on an article printed in the newspaper) are not acceptable for this assignment. The op-ed should be attached to the paper you submit as a document or via a direct link.
Your paper should be approximately 3-4 double-spaced pages and must address each of the questions below:
1. Succinctly summarize the author’s argument, including major supporting points, in a value-neutral manner.
2. Using our coursework and class discussions, identify the specific values, ideologies, and conceptualizations of government that form the basis for the author’s perspectives.
3. Identify and discuss at least one point of agreement between you and the author. These might include:
· Specific values or ideologies;
· Conceptualizations of the relationship between government and its citizens or residents;
· Agreement about what the problem is or why it exists;
· Agreement over relevant facts
4. Identify and discuss at least three points of disagreement between you and the author, utilizing appropriate sources of evidence to support your points. These points of disagreement might include:
· Specific values or ideologies;
· Conceptualizations of the relationship between government and its citizens or residents;
· Disagreement about what the problem is or why it exists;
· Disagreement over what you each see as facts
5. Discuss whether and how this exercise has influenced your beliefs and opinions about this issue, and how you might seek to utilize this exercise to influence those with differing values and beliefs on this issue.
Responses to each question should be typed, using complete sentences, with attention to accurate spelling and grammar. Responses should demonstrate understanding of class lectures, discussions and readings/viewings.
Any claims that you make should be supported by appropriate sources of evidence. All such resources must be cited.
