318.623.01
Social Policy for Marginalized and Disenfranchised Populations in the U.S.
Location
East Baltimore
Term
2nd Term
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Instruction Method
In-person
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 2:50pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Enrollment Restriction
Priority to register for the onsite section is granted to HPM masters and doctoral students; students from other programs may be enrolled based on available space.
In the US, poor health and social outcomes are heavily concentrated in vulnerable populations, for example groups facing extreme poverty, disability, homelessness, serious mental illness, addiction, and criminal justice involvement. Social factors are major contributors to poor health status in these groups, e.g. educational and employment opportunities, socioeconomic conditions, residential segregation, community context, and others. In this course, we will examine the social determinants underlying different types of vulnerability and consider policy approaches to address those determinants.
Explores the social determinants underlying poor health outcomes among marginalized and disenfranchised populations in the U.S. and considers policy approaches to address those determinants. Explores examples of marginalized and disenfranchised populations including but not limited to groups facing extreme poverty, homelessness, serious mental illness, addiction, and disability. Examines the array of social determinants contributing to poor health outcomes among marginalized and disenfranchised populations in the U.S.; current U.S. social policy approaches these populations in the areas of healthcare, disability, poverty, housing, and criminal justice policy; and the politics of social policy in the US. Provides students with opportunities for integrating social policy concepts, theories, and frameworks through an in-depth analysis of the sources of vulnerability and related policy approaches to improve health and social outcomes in specific vulnerable populations.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Assess the array of social determinants contributing to inequitable distribution of resources and poor health outcomes among vulnerable populations in the U.S.
- Appraise the range of policy mechanisms that can be used to influence health and social outcomes among vulnerable populations
- Critique existing U.S. social policy approaches for vulnerable populations in a range of areas including healthcare, housing, and disability policy
- Discuss the politics of social policy in the U.S.
- Critically evaluate the sources of vulnerability and related policy approaches to improve health and social outcomes in a specific vulnerable population
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 20% Participation
- 20% Problem Statement Assignment
- 30% Exam
- 30% Policy Memo Assignment