Small Group Discussion: Policy Agendas

There are challenges to agenda building that if not dealt with carefully and skillfully can adversely affect an issue or a proposal that you are trying to place in front of a decision maker. On the other hand, no matter how expertly you build an agenda for your issue or proposal, some issues are going to simply be avoided or not selected for consideration. Why is this so?

In this Small Group Discussion, you explore challenges surrounding policy agendas and the reasons why some proposals never make it to the decision maker.

By Day 3

Post your responses to the following questions presented for Small Group Discussion:

• Many social issues do not receive the necessary attention from decision makers. Why might these issues be cast aside?
• Some issues lack sufficient support to ensure that they are added to decision-makers' agendas. Why might this be?
• Some issues receive significant attention from decision makers. Why might these issues easily find their way onto decision makers' agendas?

Required Readings

SOCW 6361 Webliography
These websites will be required throughout the semester. Become familiar with these websites, especially when doing research for your assignments.

Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice. (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series.
Chapter 6, "Committing to an Issue: Building Agendas" (pp. 176-203)

Edwards, H. R., & Hoefer, R. (2010). Are social work advocacy groups using Web 2.0 effectively? Journal of Policy Practice, 9(3/4), 220–239. Doi:10.1080/15588742.2010.489037.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Optional Resources

MSW home page
Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.