# Social Policy and Public Service (SPPS) courses

UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog · 9 courses

Source: https://catalogue.uci.edu/allcourses/spps/

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026.

### SPPS 40 — Social Policy and Public Service

- **Units:** 4
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOC SCI 40
- (III)

An introduction to the basic theories and principles of public policy. Students examine various influences on the development of public policy and the principle actors in the process, and learn to identify tools and techniques employed in policy making.

### SPPS 70A — Race and Ethnicity

- **Units:** 4
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOCIOL 63
- (VII)

Focuses on racial and ethnic relations in the United States and compares them with those found in other societies. Analyzes the conditions that favor either cooperation and integration or rivalry, tension, and conflict. Appraises strategies for reducing and resolving conflicts.

### SPPS 102 — Critical Investigations into Humanitarianism in Africa

- **Units:** 4
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as POL SCI 147E
- Repeatability: May be taken for credit 1 time
- (VIII)

Explores the complex phenomenon of aid to Africa (emergency and development aid), and the representational, cultural, historical, and other reasons why some participants and many observers critique it. Students occasionally engage with peers and faculty in African institutions.

### SPPS H190A — Honors Research Workshop

- **Units:** 4
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOC SCI H190A
- Restrictions: Social Science majors and Social Policy and Public Service majors only

Student develops a 10–15-page prospectus of research for the honors thesis which includes: the research question, literature review, methods of investigation, and bibliography. Student selects a faculty mentor who will supervise thesis research and writing in winter and spring.

### SPPS H190B — Honors Thesis Research

- **Units:** 4
- **Prerequisite:** SOC SCI H190A or SPPS H190A
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOC SCI H190B

The student initiates and completes data collection for the honors thesis. A faculty mentor provides supervision and feedback on thesis chapters.

### SPPS H190C — Honors Thesis

- **Units:** 4
- **Prerequisite:** SOC SCI H190B or SPPS H190B. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOC SCI H190C
- (Ib)

The student completes, with the approval of the faculty mentor, an honors thesis containing: statement of the problem, literature review, research hypotheses, methods of investigation, results, discussion, and bibliography.

### SPPS 193A — Field Studies in Social Policy and Public Service

- **Units:** 4
- **Prerequisite:** SOC SCI 70C or SOCIOL 63. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/uc-irvine/schedule/fall-2026/spps.md)
- Same as SOC SCI 193A
- Restrictions: Social Policy and Public Service majors only

Advanced training in qualitative and ethnographic research centered on community service. Students pursue field studies at nonprofit agencies (200 hours) to understand current social problems in underrepresented and underserved communities. Through field placement, students apply theory to practice.

### SPPS 193B — Field Studies in Social Policy and Public Service

- **Units:** 4
- **Prerequisite:** SOC SCI 193A
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOC SCI 193B

Advanced training in qualitative and ethnographic research centered on community service. Students pursue field studies at nonprofit agencies (200 hours) to understand current social problems in underrepresented and underserved communities. Through field placement, students apply theory to practice.

### SPPS 193CW — Field Studies in Social Policy and Public Service

- **Units:** 4
- **Prerequisite:** SOC SCI 193B
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Same as SOC SCI 193CW
- Overlaps with SPPS 193C
- Restrictions: Social Science majors only
- (Ib)

Advanced training in qualitative and ethnographic research centered on community service. Students pursue field studies at nonprofit agencies (200 hours) to understand current social problems in underrepresented and under-served communities. Through field placement, students apply theory to practice.