Students will be given a topic and a set of readings. Students need to understand what is meant by policy “framing”. Policy framing refers to the interpretation of a social issue for the purpose of making policy. For example, in the current issue of bail reform, the topic is framed around the human rights of poorer people who cannot afford cash bail, the racial disproportionality in the system, and the harms of jailing innocent people. Opponents of bail reform frame the issue in terms of dangerousness and public safety. The student must provide a brief summary of the article. The following questions:

1. How do the readings frame the social issue?

2. Are there alternative ways to frame these issues?

3. What is a “social work” viewpoint on these topics?

file:///C:/Users/kayla/Downloads/MacMaster%202004%20harm%20reduction.pdf