Learning Objectives

  1. Recognize the forces shaping the American social welfare system and social policy.
  2. Describe the role of social welfare in early America.
  3. Describe the role of social welfare during the Progressive Era and World War I.
  4. Summarize how social welfare programs were influenced by the Great Depression and World War II.
  5. Summarize how social welfare was affected by America’s War on Poverty.
  6. Describe the effect of Reaganomics on social welfare.
  7. Characterize the current state of social welfare during an era of partisan gridlock.
  8. Explain why social welfare policies that address people’s immediate needs are inadequate for promoting social justice.