M3 Policy Analysis and Advocacy Project – Part 1: Historical Evolution of a Social Problem and Policy Response

Module 3 Policy Analysis and Advocacy Project, Part 1: Historical Evolution of a Social Problem and Policy Response Policy Analysis and Advocacy Project This five-part project will take you through the process of understanding the evolution of a social problem and policy responses through history, analyzing related policy, and creating recommendations for policy change to improve the issue through an anti-oppressive lens. By the end of the project, you will give testimony and create a direct action to address this social problem to create change that advances human rights, social, economic, racial, and/or environmental justice. Part 1: Historical Analysis of a Social Problem In 2-3 paragraphs, identify and describe a social problem, include what impact the problem has on individuals or communities and how widespread the problem is (use data and statistics to support your answer) and if there are populations (gender, race/ethnicity, income, ability, sexuality, etc.) that are more impacted than others. Use the Problem to Policy Matrix provided to identify how the social problem and policy response has evolved throughout history. Identify 3 time periods throughout history and within each time period, how the problem was framed and underlying ideology, the social, economic, and political context, claims-makers, and policy response. Your first time period will be when the social issue was first introduced or came to attention in the public eye. The second time period should be a time when there was a major change or shift in the social issue. The final time period should be the now. The assignment should be written in APA format, utilizing in-text citations and a Reference page with at least 3 relevant sources. Make a copy of the Problem to Policy Matrix Template to submit for this assignment. Using the Social Problem you identified for your project this term, you will analyze 3 time periods using the Problem to Policy Matrix. The 1st two time periods will be chosen from the major time periods in American history. Your 3rd time period will be the present time. For each time period, you are going to analyze: 1) how the social issue was framed or perceived by society; 2) the political, social & economic context during that time; 3) who the main claims makers or advocates were and what policy activities they engaged in; 4) what their ideological explanations or belief systems were; and 5) what policy response resulted during that time period. Specifically, refer to these questions for each time period when completing the Problem to Policy Matrix: Frame: How was the problem framed during these time periods? Was there a “name” given to the social issue or did the media talk about the social issue in a specific way? Social, Economic, and Political Context: What prevailing social, economic and political forces were present at each period? What major historical events were happening at that time? Who was the dominant political party in power? Claims-makers/Social Movements: What individuals/ groups drew attention to this problem during each period? What claims did they make? What actions did they take? Associated Social Movements? Ideological Explanations/Belief Systems: How was the problem explained? What were the prevailing ideological explanations or sociological/Psychological theories supporting these typifications? How were these belief systems influenced by White Supremacy? Policy Response: What policies or interventions were generated to address the problem during each of these periods? 3. Turn in your description of your Social Problem (2-3 paragraphs) and your Problem to Policy Matrix. Write it in your own words, but remember to use in-text citation (author, year) or (author, year, page#) and include a references page. Your textbook, Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy, is a great resource. Chapters 7-14 are each focused on a specific sector. At a minimum, your reference page should contain 3 sources (but can include more).