Social policy

Social policy refers to the measures and strategies used to address social issues and promote social welfare in urban areas. It involves policies related to education, health care, social services, and other areas that affect quality of life in cities.

What is social policy?

"Social policy is a plan or action of government or institutional agencies which aim to improve or reform society."

How do professionals and universities define social policy?

"Some professionals and universities consider social policy a subset of public policy, while other practitioners characterize social policy and public policy to be two separate, competing approaches for the same public interest [...] with social policy deemed more holistic than public policy."

What is the main focus of social policy?

"Social policy begins with the study of the welfare state and social services."

What disciplines contribute to the study of social policy?

"The Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics defines social policy as 'an interdisciplinary and applied subject concerned with the analysis of societies' responses to social need', which seeks to foster in its students a capacity to understand theory and evidence drawn from a wide range of social science disciplines, including economics, sociology, psychology, geography, history, law, philosophy, and political science."

How does Harvard University define social policy?

"The Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at Harvard University describes social policy as 'public policy and practice in the areas of health care, human services, criminal justice, inequality, education, and labor'."

What does social policy aim to affect?

"Social policy might also be described as actions that affect the well-being of members of a society through shaping the distribution of and access to goods and resources in that society."

What kind of problems does social policy often deal with?

"Social policy often deals with wicked problems."

What other social issues can be classified as social policy in the United States and Canada?

"The discussion of 'social policy' in the United States and Canada can also apply to governmental policy on social issues such as tackling racism, LGBT issues (such as same-sex marriage) and the legal status of abortion, guns, euthanasia, recreational drugs, and prostitution."

Where can one study social policy as a stand-alone degree?

"The study of social policy can either be a stand-alone degree at providers such as the University of Birmingham, University of York, Oxford University, and the University of Pennsylvania."

In what degree programs can social policy be specialized?

"Social policy can be a specialization as part of a public policy degree program such as at McGill University, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Harris School of Public Policy, and the Hertie School of Governance."

What other disciplines can be combined with social policy in a joint degree program?

"Social policy can be a joint degree along with a similar related degree in social work or public health such as at George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis."

Where is social policy offered along with public policy degree programs?

"In the Global South, social policy is offered along with public policy degree programs, as at the Institute of Public Policy, National Law School of India University, Bangalore, combined with development policy."

What is the goal of social policy?

"...guidelines, principles, legislation, and associated activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare, such as a person's quality of life."

Which institution emphasizes the analysis of societies' responses to social need?

"The Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics defines social policy as 'an interdisciplinary and applied subject concerned with the analysis of societies' responses to social need'."

What are the areas of public policy and practice covered by social policy?

"The Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at Harvard University describes social policy as 'public policy and practice in the areas of health care, human services, criminal justice, inequality, education, and labor'."

How does social policy shape society?

"Social policy [...] affect[s] the well-being of members of a society through shaping the distribution of and access to goods and resources in that society."

What issues are addressed under the term 'social policy' in the United States and Canada?

"The discussion of 'social policy' in the United States and Canada can also apply to governmental policy on social issues such as tackling racism, LGBT issues (such as same-sex marriage) and the legal status of abortion, guns, euthanasia, recreational drugs, and prostitution."

Which universities offer stand-alone degrees in social policy?

"The study of social policy can either be a stand-alone degree at providers such as the University of Birmingham, University of York, Oxford University, and the University of Pennsylvania."

In which degree programs can social policy become a specialization?

"Social policy can be a specialization as part of a public policy degree program such as at McGill University, Balsillie School of International Affairs, Harris School of Public Policy, and the Hertie School of Governance."

What can social policy be combined with in joint degree programs?

"Social policy can be a joint degree along with a similar related degree in social work or public health such as at George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis."