Fall 2015 Policy Matters Series
"Policy Matters" is an undergraduate course that focuses on the policy challenges posed by the search for economic security and equality of opportunity. The course traces the historical development of social problems and policy solutions, investigates the ways in which society addresses these issues, and engages students in critical analysis of both the effectiveness of current policies and the universe of policy options. Each topical unit concludes with a public forum, bringing together the campus and local community to discuss major social issues facing us today.
Each unit includes a panel discussion that is free and open to the public (see details below), which will be held in Room 109 English Philosophy Building (EPB) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Schedule
October 1, 2015
Thursday, October 1, 6:30-8:00
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)
Our working lives are shaped by public policies that regulate the employment relationship, set a floor under wages, and both establish and enforce the rights of workers. The "Working in Iowa" panel brings together a range of people—advocates, researchers, legislators, and administrators—who play different roles in shaping these policies. Our goal is to understand these policies, how they are made, and how they work in practice—and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area.
For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.
October 22, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)
Poverty poses an enduring riddle, not only for its persistence in a rich society, but for the challenge of matching public policies to a problem shaped by individual, familial, and economic conditions or challenges. The "Poverty Policy in Practice" panel brings together a range of people—advocates, researchers, legislators, and administrators—who play different roles in shaping these policies. Our goal is to understand these policies, how they are made, and how they work in practice—and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area.
For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.
November 11, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)
How do we manage the risk—to individuals or families—of illness or injury? This is a policy arena marked by high political and economic stakes and deep disagreements over the boundary between public and private responsibility. The "Front Lines of Health Care" panel examines the goals and the limits of our most recent episode in health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2008. Our goal is to understand the ACA, how it was crafted and what it does--and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area.
For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.
December 9, 2015
Tuesday, December 8, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)
Public education is both our most expansive and universal social policy, and the one charged—in a setting of stark economic inequality—with the task of ensuring equality of opportunity. The "Schooling as Social Policy" panel brings together a range of people—advocates, researchers, legislators, and administrators—who play different roles in shaping these policies. Our goal is to understand these policies, how they are made, and how they work in practice—and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area.
For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.