Reading social policy in the United Kingdom will strongly complement
my undergraduate studies in political science and economics, and my
real-world experience fighting poverty with AmeriCorps. While excellent
educational opportunities exist in the United States, studying social
policy in the UK and within the wider European context will enhance
my perspective. The UK bears similarities to the US in terms of economic
development, level of industrialization, and increasing immigrant and
minority populations, but the different governmental system and welfare
structures will provide a learning environment that will be invaluable
in my future policy-making career.
I would like to pursue a BSc in Social Policy and Government at the
London School for Economics (LSE). This top-ranked program examines
the framing and implementation of policy in social provisions like health
care, education, housing, and in areas that affect society in broader
ways-race relations, social exclusion, and urban regeneration. My first
year studies will emphasize foundational courses like Methods of Social
Investigation, Social Economics, and Finance and Organization of Human
Services. During the second year, I hope to examine social policies
and measures at many different levels: government agencies, non-profit
organizations, private businesses, and informal community networks.
This analysis will be conducted in courses like Education Policy and
Administration, Health Care Policy and European Social Policy, as well
as through independent study and research.
My projects with AmeriCorps have exposed me to research efforts at
LSE's Center for Analysis of Social Exclusion related to economy and
incomes, and neighborhood development. It would be fascinating to do
a dissertation with Professor Frank A. Cowell. I am familiar with his
writings on economics distribution and quantitative measurements of
inequality and poverty.
My second choice is a BA in Social Policy and Politics at the University
of York. This program is renowned for integrating the theoretical study
of politics and policy-making with detailed case studies on housing
policy and the political economy of welfare. My first year studies will
include compulsory courses on Social Policy and Comparative Welfare
and electives like Health Policy, Housing Policy, and the Political
Economy of Welfare. During the second year, I hope to examine major
theoretical and social issues relevant to social policy analysis. I
would like to write a dissertation on social exclusion in minority communities,
perhaps with Dr. Jonathan Bradshaw, founding director of the Social
Policy Research Unit at York.
Most of all, I look forward to joining the Marshall Scholar community:
learning, debating, forging friendships with my fellow scholars, and
maintaining these bonds after we return energized, as ambassadors of
the United Kingdom, to impact literature, art, science, politics, society
itself.
