In honor of the Reformation
SWK 301B, History and Analysis of Social Policy, developed this 72 Social Policy REFORMation.
The students’ instructions
In recognition of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the 95 theses (questions and propositions) that were presented for debate, we will create our own list of theses. These should include:
- Things that are wrong, helpful, or need REFORM in the various social policies we have discussed (social policy review)
- Presentation of what you learned in your social policy analysis, including things to REFORM, maintain, or increase
- Reflections on the i go home video, including things that should never be done again, REFORMs done or still needed, etc.
- Social issues, including systemic issues of injustice, that must be REFORMed, perhaps through activism, for our neighbors’ good
Background
500 years ago, the Reformation brought great social reforms:
— “Relief scheme including a common chest to aid the weak, old, and poor householders” (Platt and Cooreman, 2001, p. 92)
— Schools for children & education guides for parents to use at home
— Information that was important to common people should be presented in their own language
— Opposition to collecting money that could further impoverish, exclude, and/or marginalize (including stated purpose vs. actual purpose)
— Importance of caring for and helping all of one’s neighbors
— Call to active citizenship, yet permission to oppose the government when it was deemed to be taking wrong actions
— Value of all types of work, including child care, and the importance of doing work well, including for others’ benefit