Prerequisite(s): JUST 101 or JUST 102 or JUST 204 or JUST 205 or departmental approval. Students will examine historical and current social welfare policies within a social justice context and as they affect families through the lifecourse. They will analyze the conflicts and controversies that surround current policies and the role of the media in setting the social welfare agenda. Students will come to and understanding of the political forces and special interests that frame the rationale for social welfare policy and will decide what reforms, if any, are indicated.