This unit provides descriptive information about basic social welfare programs and concepts that you may or may not be familiar with. Review to get acquainted with these programs and concepts as they will be referenced throughout the course. 1. Based on the Midgley and Social Welfare Concepts (Power Point) write a brief definition of social welfare policy that makes sense to you at this point. Distinguish between the Institutional and Residual Models, and universal and selective programs, providing definitions and examples of each. 2. What do the articles by Carten and Abramovitz add to our understanding of social welfare policy? 3. The core of the US social welfare system consists of (a) Social Insurance programs (Social Security, Unemployment 21 Insurance, Medicare, etc.) and (b) Public Assistance programs (AFDC/TANF, Food Stamps (SNAP), & Medicaid etc.). The Social Insurance and Public Assistance programs serve different populations and represent very different social welfare philosophies (which programs are Institutional and which are Residual?) a. Drawing on the articles by Tussing, Mettler and others, discuss why the Social Insurance programs are more popular than Public Assistance programs. Include several specific ways that Tussing distinguishes between these two types of programs. What does Mettler add to this? Based on this information discuss the key program characteristics that make Social Insurance more popular than Public Assistance. b. After you understand the difference between Social Insurance and Public Assistance programs, ask someone you know (who is not otherwise informed about social welfare policy) what they think about “Social Security” (social insurance) and “welfare” (i.e. public assistance) and why? How did their comments compare to observations by Tussing and Mettler? (Don’t tell them what you’ve read until after you heard from them). 4. Review the materials on Human Rights. What connection do you see between Human rights (especially articles, 22, 23, 24 of Declaration of Human Rights (DHR) and what you know at this point about US welfare state program. Similarities? Differences? Etc. 5. Identify two facts, statements, or points about social policy found in the readings that surprised, interested, and /or disturbed you and indicate why.