HUS 4561 - Social Problems and Policy

College of Health Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2023 (625)

Requisites

(Prerequisite HSA 4184 with a minimum grade of C and
Admission to Health Services Administration (Bachelor of Applied Science) (HSA-BAS)) or
(Prerequisite DEH 3813 with a minimum grade of C and
Admission to Dental Hygiene (Bachelor of Applied Science) (DENH-BAS)) or
Admission to Public Policy and Administration (Bachelor of Science) (PPA-BS) or
Admission to Human Services (Bachelor of Science) (HUMSVC-BS) or
Admission to Applied Mental Health (Advanced Technical Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility) (AMH-ATC)

Course Description

This course will provide an overview of the application of theoretical foundations to describe social determinants of health, and explain their relationship to a range of social problems, issues of cultural diversity as well as how these impact policy development at the community, state, and national level. Emphasis is placed on health care, social, economic, environmental and political conditions as well as their interconnectedness as seen through the lens of various theoretical frameworks.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will differentiate between various theoretical and practical applications related to key principles and perspectives used to examine social problems and public policies by:
    1. Explaining current social problems..
    2. Comparing the views of functionalist, conflict, interactionist and feminist perspectives as it relates to current social problems.
    3. Analyzing major components of each theoretical perspective as they relate to social problems and policies.
    4. Proposed policies that balance theoretical perspectives and practical applications for identified social problem.
  2. The student will analyze the development of public health policies to address current social problems by:
    1. Synthesizing evidence-based research, data and statistics regarding program development, implementation, and evaluation related to addressing social problems and policies.
    2. Discussing the consequences of social inequities within social institutions and the determinants of health.
    3. Explaining the role of social service agencies in addressing contemporary social problems.
    4. Applying theoretical frameworks to explain public policy decisions.
  3. The student will examine social problems and public policies from multiple perspectives by:
    1. Discussing the significance of diversity and inclusion in relation to social problems and policy.
    2. Exploring effective strategies utilized to address social problems and policies.
    3. Identifying the impact of key stakeholders in addressing social problems and policies.
  4. The student will incorporate evidence-based principles to examine their own perspective of social problems and policies by:
    1. Explaining how evidence-based literature can be applied to their personal decision-making.
    2. Comparing and contrasting social issues within diverse communities.
    3. Describing the significance of social movements from an evidence-based perspective.
    4. Supporting and defending their perspectives on the causes and effects of social problems.
    5. Discussing the historical significance pertaining to systemic inequities related to immigration, segregation and oppression.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 9/9/08, BOT 10/21/08, Effective 20081(0400). (Submitted as HUS 4XXX;SCNS approved as HUS4561.) Flex Access 20092 C&I Approval: 04/11/2014, BOT Approval: 06/15/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495). C&I Approval: 11/20/2015, BOT Approval: 03/15/2016, Effective Term: Fall 2016 (520). C&I Approval: 02/21/2020, BOT Approval: 03/17/2020, Effective Term: Fall 2020 (580).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2023 (625)

Related Programs

  1. Dental Hygiene (DENH-BAS) (640) (Active)
  2. Health Services Administration (HSA-BAS) (655) (Active)
  3. Human Services (HUMSVC-BS) (640) (Active)
  4. Public Policy and Administration (PPA-BS) (640) (Active)