Introduction to Microeconomics for Social Work Policy and Practice

A working knowledge of economic concepts and theory is essential for most professional roles in social administration. This course introduces students to economics and to its use in analyzing social welfare policies. Economic concepts and models relating to preferences, costs, and choices are developed and used to analyze markets and issues that arise in the design and assessment of social welfare policies. Illustrations are drawn from such areas as health, housing, and disability. The course seeks both to convey the framework and concepts with which economists approach issues and to increase the likelihood that students will incorporate these in their own thinking about policy.