Teaching Social Policy Through a Travel Course and Participant Observation.

This paper describes an undergraduate travel course that teaches students about federal welfare, low-income housing and homeless assistance programs. The rationale and format are described, and some practical advice is offered on how to plan and execute the course. The course brings together students and policy experts involved in federal welfare and housing programs through a series of briefings and site visits in Washington, DC, and Chicago. Students have the opportunity to question those who are involved in shaping those policies at the federal level as well as to talk to officials involved in implementing them at the local level. Students also have ample opportunity to experience some of the difficulties faced by those living on welfare and who are either homeless or who live in public housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]