Sociology 597SD - ST-SocDem,Socialism,USwelfare

How have labor, social democratic and socialist movements shaped welfare in the U.S.? And how might they do so in the near future? These issues have come to the fore in the recent Presidential election campaign, and may be especially important to college-age voters. In this course we will review the sociological literature on the welfare state, with a focus on the influence of popular movements on its development. We will focus on the U.S., comparing and contrasting it with other wealthy democratic nations. A secondary theme will be the uniquely American "coercive" welfare state comprised by its penal system and military, which together provide food, health care and childcare to nearly 30 million people.

Open to Seniors, Juniors and Graduate students only. Or permission of instructor