The Social Relations and Policy (SRP) major explores the both social relations among groups and public policy. public issues It is explicitly historical and comparative, looking at social relations in the United States and internationally, over time. Courses focus on the interplay of such factors as class, race, ethnicity, sex/gender, religious belief and national identity. In addition, the program also teaches students how to analyze and investigate problems in public policy, such as health care, welfare policy, family policy, and immigration. The program uses the study of social relations and policy as a way to cultivate reasoning, methodological and analytical skills and the capacities for empathetic observation, normative judgment and effective problem solving.