APSY 4397 Social Issues and Social Policy
This seminar provides participants with a foundation of knowledge concerning current social policy issues involving children and families in the U.S., with a particular focus on issues related to poverty and disadvantage. Considers how research, politics, and advocacy play a role in the initiation, implementation, and evaluation of policy, and how social policies impact children and families. Seeks to help students explore scientific evidence and social perceptions, and think critically about central social issues and social policies.
Course overview
- Department
- Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology
- School
- Lynch
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Both
- Offered
- Biannually in the Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- Course Open to Seniors, Junior only
Requirements fulfilled
- Applied Psychology and Human Development: Major electives — any Applied Psychology (APSY) course (three electives required in total) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Applied Psychology and Human Development: Policy, Advocacy, and Community Change focus area (three courses) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.06 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.17 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Rebekah L Coley | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 24 |
| Fall 2024 | Rebekah L Coley | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 19 |