Summer 2026 SOWK 588 Week 01a - Introduction to Advanced Policy Practice

Assignment 03a Policy Analysis Paper

Meta: Points 150 points (30% of final grade); Deadline is due no later than 08:00 AM on Monday 07/06/26; Completion file upload to Anthology through MyHeritage Assignments; Locations MyHeritage Assignment Detail which links to Anthology, and the Syllabus Handout with Description and Rubric;

Purpose: The Policy Analysis Paper is designed to enable students to demonstrate the skills necessary to understand and analyze social issues through the lens of policy and advocacy. They will need to engage in value-driven, advanced social policy practice through integrating theory, diversity, practice, results, and outcomes.

Task: Students will complete a policy analysis paper exploring a current social issue that impacts a marginalized and or oppressed population. The final paper should include at least the following sections:

Identification and Research of Social Issue and Policy: Select a current social issue and a specific related policy (e.g., immigration law, welfare reform). Analyze how the issue and policy affect marginalized and oppressed populations. Research and describe how the policy operates across different system levels (e.g., local, state, tribal, federal). Use evidence and data to inform the identification of challenges and potential solutions.
Ethical and Human Rights Analysis: Summarize the key issues and findings of your analysis. Review how the social construction of the target population influences the policy’s design and implementation. Compare the policy to both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the NASW Code of Ethics, identifying areas of alignment or conflict and specific rights or principles that are upheld or violated.
Application of Social Policy Theory: Use a social policy theory (e.g., political economy, social construction, cost-benefit, feminist theory, critical race theory, etc.) to examine the policy. Discuss how the policy affects individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Support your analysis and the theory description with scholarly research.
Policy Alternatives and Advocacy Recommendations: Present two or more policy alternatives. Evaluate how well each aligns with ethical standards and human rights principles. Clearly propose a policy adjustment and outline a realistic strategy for legislative advocacy and justice-based reform.

Success: A successful submission will demonstrate students’ ability to analyze social policy and promote social justice with a clear focus on how marginalized and oppressed populations are impacted across local, state, tribal, and federal levels. The paper will reflect the integration of scholarship to understand the social challenges and potential solutions. Students will provide a basis for social policy theory, describe it, and engage in meaningful discussions relating it to social policy. Students’ papers will be well-organized, demonstrating high-quality work and following the assignment expectations.

Appendix A. Policy Analysis Paper and Competency 2 Practice Behaviors Rubric

The Policy Analysis Paper and Competency 2 Practice Behaviors Rubric assesses students’ ability to critically examine a current social issue and its related policy across multiple system levels, with a focus on how marginalized and oppressed populations are impacted. The rubric assesses students’ advanced policy practice skills (e.g., ability to gather and synthesize relevant data, apply ethical reasoning, and analyze policy through theoretical frameworks). It also measures the depth of students’ engagement with human rights standards and professional social work values. High-quality submissions will demonstrate scholarly rigor using APA formatting and follow the assignment expectations.

Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
a. Utilize policy analysis skills to inform policy formulation practices and policy implementation effects on oppressed and marginalized populations, including rural and tribal communities.
b. Organize legislative policy advocacy with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations to advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Description	Initial	Emerging	Developed	Highly Developed
Identify and research of a social issue and policy.	The social issue and applicable policy are not clearly identified, with minimal or no examination of how they affect marginalized and oppressed communities. Demonstrates minimal understanding of policy at system levels. Lacks sufficient research and evidence to inform potential solutions and challenges.	The social issue and applicable policy are identified, but there is limited examination of their impact on marginalized and oppressed communities. Demonstrates a limited understanding of policy at 2–3 levels. Provides limited research and evidence to inform potential challenges and solutions.	The social issue and applicable policy are identified and examined, with some focus on how they affect marginalized and oppressed populations. Demonstrates a fair understanding of policy at 3–4 levels. Requires more research and evidence to better inform potential challenges and solutions.	The social issue and applicable policy are clearly and skillfully identified and examined, with a strong focus on their impact on marginalized and oppressed populations. Demonstrates a deep understanding of policy at all levels. Provides thorough research and evidence to inform potential challenges and solutions.
Analyze policy related to ethical and human rights.	Minimal to no analysis of the social construction of the population and its impact on policy. Needs a comparison of how the policy aligns or conflicts with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and NASW Code of Ethics. Does not identify specific rights or principles that are upheld or violated.	Basic analysis of the social construction of the population, but with gaps in how it shapes policy or missing important dynamics. Basic comparison of how the policy aligns or conflicts with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and NASW Code of Ethics. Minimal identification of specific rights or principles that are upheld or violated.	Provides an analysis of the social construction of the population but lacks full depth or connection to broader policy impacts. Offers a comparison of how the policy aligns or conflicts with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and NASW Code of Ethics but lacks detail in identifying specific rights or principles that are upheld or violated.	Deeply analyzes how the social construction of the target population shapes policy, addressing power dynamics and societal perceptions. Provides a thorough comparison of how the policy aligns or conflicts with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and NASW Code of Ethics. Clearly identifies specific rights or principles that are upheld or violated.
Analysis of social policy theories and effects on all levels.	Minimal application of social policy theories as they relate to practice with diverse client populations. No evidence of research to support policy change recommendations.	Limited integration and application of social policy theories as they relate to practice with diverse client populations. Limited evidence of research in preparation for policy change recommendations.	Some incorporation of social policy theories as they relate to practice with diverse client populations. Some evidence of research in preparation for policy change recommendations.	Strong incorporation of social policy theories as they relate to practice with diverse client populations. Strong evidence of research in preparation for policy change recommendations.
Policy options or alternatives.	Paper needs clear recommendations for policy adjustments or is incomplete. There is minimal to no connection to legislative policy advocacy.	Paper has basic recommendations for policy adjustment or incomplete. Weak connections to legislative policy advocacy.	Paper provides some recommendations for policy adjustment, needs depth or clarity in linking adjustments to human rights and ethics. Some connection to legislative policy advocacy.	Paper is thoughtful and well-reasoned recommendations for policy adjustment that align with human rights and ethical standards, with clear connections to legislative policy advocacy and justice.

General Assignment Requirements

Description	Initial	Emerging	Developed	Highly Developed
Organization, Clarity, and APA Formatting	The brief lacks clear organization; tone is informal or inappropriate for a policy audience; citations and references are missing.	Some organization is evident but ideas may be disjointed; tone is uneven or somewhat unprofessional; several APA citation errors are present.	The brief is generally well-organized with a mostly professional tone; minor APA formatting errors are present but do not detract significantly from clarity.	The brief is clearly and logically organized with a consistently professional, action-oriented tone; APA citations and references are accurate and properly formatted throughout.
Following assignment requirements	Does not follow the assignment description.	Somewhat follows the assignment description, but significant errors exist.	Follows the assignment description and requirements but has minor errors.	Closely follows the assignment description and requirements.

Assignment 03b Policy Advocacy Presentation

Meta: Points 100 points (30% of final grade); Deadline is due no later than 08:00 AM on Monday, 07/13/26; Completion via forum submission in MyHeritage with faculty score upload to Anthology; Locations MyHeritage Assignment Detail which is a Panopto learning tool where you can create a video, and W-07 A-03b Policy Advocacy Presentation Submission Forum, and the Syllabus Handout with Description and Rubric;

Purpose: The policy advocacy presentation builds on your written policy analysis by developing a compelling and well-structured advocacy presentation. Students will practice translating complex policy ideas into a format suitable for stakeholder engagement.

Task: Create an approximately 10-minute video presentation that builds upon your written policy analysis paper. Your presentation should include a visual element that helps summarize the content you are sharing (e.g., consider using presentation slides). This presentation should be structured as follows:

Introduction: Present a clear and concise problem statement, identifying the social issue and briefly summarizing its root causes. Set the stage for why this issue matters and who it impacts.
Policy Analysis: Provide an overview of the effectiveness of past and current policy efforts related to the issue. Analyze their impact across different system levels (micro, mezzo, macro). Include an analysis of stakeholders, identifying key decision-makers, supporters, advocacy organizations, or community members, and potential opponents.
Advocacy Strategy: Describe your advocacy goal and objective. Identify your target audience and map out the relevant actors. Share your key advocacy messages, connecting them to the audience’s values or concerns. Highlight approaches that can be used to advance your message. Include a persuasive call to action that reinforces urgency and purpose.
Implementation Plan: Outline clear action steps along with associated roles, responsibilities, timeline, and resources. Address how you will monitor and evaluate progress. Explain the feasibility of your plan, accounting for real-world barriers, political dynamics, and enabling conditions.
Conclusion: Summarize the key points from your presentation. Reflect on the potential social, racial, economic, and environmental justice implications of the policy issue and proposed solution. Reiterate the significance of the issue and inspire your audience toward action.

Success: A successful presentation will clearly explain the social issue and policy context, provide a well-supported advocacy strategy, and include a realistic implementation plan. It will demonstrate an understanding of key stakeholders, power dynamics, and barriers to change. The video will be organized, persuasive, and reflect core social work values, with thoughtful attention to justice and equity.

Appendix B. Policy Advocacy Presentation and Competency 5 Practice Behaviors Rubric

The Policy Advocacy Presentation and Competency 5 Practice Behaviors Rubric evaluates students’ ability to communicate their policy analysis through a strategic and persuasive advocacy presentation. It measures students’ skills in articulating a clear problem statement, analyzing stakeholder roles, developing advocacy goals and messages, and proposing a realistic implementation plan. The rubric also assesses students’ attention to power dynamics, barriers to change, and implications for social, racial, and economic justice. Effective presentations will be organized, professional, and grounded in advocacy strategies aligned with social work values and competencies.

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
a. Examine social policies at local, state, tribal, and federal levels to provide best practice recommendations.
b. Assess social policy theory in the context of practice with diverse client populations and prepare recommendations for policy change.

Description	Initial	Emerging	Developed	Highly Developed
Introduction: Problem statement	Presentation has no clear introduction of problem statement, needs to address the issue and demonstrate understanding of root causes.	Presentation has a basic introduction to problem statement, may need more clarification on understanding the root cause.	Presentation provides an overview of the problem statement, somewhat addresses the issue and understanding of the root causes.	Presentation provides a detailed overview of problem statement, pinpoints the issue and understanding the root causes.
Policy analysis	Presentation is missing the assessment of the effectiveness of current and past policy efforts and their effects on all levels. Presentation is missing stakeholder analysis identifies key decision makers, supporters, advocacy groups, community members, and opponents.	Presentation has an incomplete assessment of the effectiveness of current and past policy efforts or their effects on all levels. The stakeholder analysis is incomplete, missing key decision makers, supporters, advocacy groups, community members, or opponents.	Presentation includes a clear assessment of the effectiveness of current and past policy efforts and their effects on all levels. It identifies key decision makers, supporters, advocacy groups, community members, and opponents.	Presentation clearly and thoroughly assesses the effectiveness of current and past policy efforts and their effects on all levels. It clearly identifies key decision makers, supporters, advocacy groups, community members, and opponents.
Advocacy strategy	Presentation provides minimal to no information on goals, objectives, target audience, power mapping, or key advocacy messages. There is no mention of direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, or policy alternatives within the advocacy strategy. Presentation needs an effective call to action that ties together policy analysis, emphasizes urgency and encourages further thought/action.	Presentation has incomplete information on goals, objectives, target audience, power mapping, and key advocacy messages. It briefly touches on direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, or policy alternatives. Call to action is present, but does not tie together policy analysis, emphasizes on urgency, encouragement of further though/action.	Presentation includes good information on goals, objectives, target audience, and power mapping. The key advocacy message resonates well. It connects direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and/or policy alternatives to the advocacy strategy. The call to action ties the policy analysis together, emphasizes urgency, and encourages further thought or action.	Complete information on goals/objectives, target audience, power mapping. Key advocacy message is sharp and resonates emotionally. Presentation strongly connects direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying and policy alternatives to advocacy strategy. Compelling call to action that ties together policy analysis, emphasizes urgency, and encourages further thought and action.
Implementation plan	Presentation provides minimal to no information on the implementation plan, including action steps, roles, responsibilities, timeline, resources, monitoring, and evaluation. Policy recommendations are either absent or disconnected from the analysis and evidence. Feasibility of implementation is not addressed or realistically assessed.	Presentation is missing 1-2 sections of the implementation plan, such as action steps, roles, responsibilities, timeline, resources, monitoring, or evaluation. Policy recommendations are somewhat related to the analysis but are vague, broad, or lack evidence. Feasibility is mentioned but with limited or superficial engagement with barriers, challenges, and enablers.	Presentation includes an implementation plan with action steps, roles, responsibilities, timeline, resources, monitoring, and evaluation. Policy recommendations are generally well-supported by the analysis but may need more detail or specificity. Feasibility is considered, but there is a lack of depth in exploring challenges, barriers, or enablers to implementation.	Presentation clearly incorporates an implementation plan with detailed action steps, roles, responsibilities, timeline, resources, monitoring, and evaluation. Policy recommendations are specific, actionable, well-supported by the analysis, and reflect a deep understanding of the issue and potential solutions. Demonstrates a realistic understanding of potential barriers, challenges, and enablers to implementation.
Conclusion	Presentation slides and information need a summary of the main findings from the analysis. There is minimal to no reflection on the policy’s potential impact, consideration of oppressed and marginalized populations, levels, and or ADEI dimensions.	Presentation slides offer a basic summary of the main findings, synthesizing key issues, evidence, and arguments. They provide a superficial reflection on the policy’s impact, lacking adequate consideration of all populations, levels, and ADEI dimensions.	Presentation slides provide a solid summary of the main findings, effectively synthesizing key issues, evidence, and arguments without introducing new information. Presentation reflects on the policy’s impact on all groups but need more depth in addressing all ADEI dimensions.	Presentation slides clearly and concisely summarize the main findings, effectively synthesizing key issues, evidence, and arguments without introducing new information. Presentation thoughtfully reflects on the social, racial, economic, and environmental justice impacts of the policy and recommendations, addressing all groups, levels and dimensions of ADEI.

General Assignment Requirements

Description	Initial	Emerging	Developed	Highly Developed
Professional presentation that is well organized and high-quality	The has significant problems following assignment requirements and is hard to follow and has major problems in facilitation.	The has some significant problems following assignment requirements, but the presentation is acceptable.	The presentation has some minor problems following assignment requirements but is generally a well done presentation.	The presentation follows all of the assignment requirements and is clear, well-structured, professional, engaging.