3 hours; 3 credits Development and re-organization(s) of U.S. welfare state in the 20th and 21st centuries, emerging directions and systems, underlying theoretical frameworks. Takes a theoretical approach to understanding social welfare systems in relation to larger social struggles over political and economic power, labor markets, and social inequality. Examines changes in policy in relationship to the state, economy, and corporations, and how policy changes impact low income communities. Situates welfare policy in relation to social movements and both the maintenance of and changes in class, race, and gender stratification, as well as historical changes in social constructions of race and gender. This course is the same as Women's and Gender Studies 3122. Prerequisite: SOCY *1101 [5] or SOCY 1200 or SOCY 1201 or permission of the chairperson.