On Demand
Audio
History of the Welfare State: Pre and Post Goldberg v. Kelly
Produced on May 13, 2016
Course Information
Course Description
This course takes a look at the development of welfare programs from the post WWII era through today. Using the lens of the landmark Supreme Court case of Goldberg v. Kelly (Brennan, 1970) which established Due Process rights for welfare recipients, we trace "entitlements" from Aid to Dependent Children ("ADC") through Aid to Families with Dependent Children ("AFDC") to today's "workfare" known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ("TANF"). This course provides a brief but comprehensive look at public benefits law and theory through U.S. history.
Learning Objectives:
I. Gain an overview of the history of public benefits laws in the U.S.
II. Become familiar with the Supreme Court’s findings in Goldberg v. Kelly
III. Understand the development of welfare programs in the U.S. from WWII through the present
Credit Information
Faculty
Christopher Portelli
New York Legal Assistance Group
Christopher J. Portelli is Senior Staff Attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) in Manhattan. He is founder and director of the Economic Justice Clinic at NYLAG. The clinic trains law students from St. John’s University School of Law and Brooklyn Law School in public benefits and allows the students to provide legal services to low income and homeless New Yorkers with attorney supervision. He is Co-Director of Project FAIR, a fair hearing assistance program run jointly by NYLAG and the Legal Aid Society. He frequently trains law students and attorneys in various topics in Poverty Law and related subjects. He earned his BA in Philosophy from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, his JD from New York Law School, and a Masters of Philosophy in Public and Urban Policy at The New School. He has recently taught courses in law and public policy at Brooklyn Law School, St. John’s University School of Law, The Milano Graduate School (The New School) and New York Law School. His previous teaching experience includes interdisciplinary courses at New York University, St. Peter’s University (Jersey City), and American University (Washington, DC).
Reviews
Excellent.
Loved this class. History addict. This professor has a real feel for history and law. I'd love another class with him.
I enjoyed hearing the development of welfare programs, which helped me get an understanding of where we're at today.
Great summary of the history of the welfare state. I work in this area and find it to be very confusing at times, so it was very helpful to get an understanding of how things have evolved in this area over the years. Thanks!
Outstanding job of showing how the evolution of the law was organic to history. Thouroghly shattered many of my misbeliefs. More than any Lawline course, this one energized and profoundly affect me as a lawyer and a person
This seminar was awesome. Mr. Portelli really does a beautiful job not only of explaining the programs and their develepment, but the chronology, setbacks, and context. Really nice job!!
wonderful
Solid course on an important issue.
Mr. Portelli is an outstanding presenter. I would take any course he offers.
Outstanding! The presenter was very well-informed and delivered his remarks in a warm and engaging manner. A true advocate.
In my opinion this course was extremely informative, providing a background representing our welfare/ public assistance programs. Thank you.
Very good presentation , The Speaker was well prepared and articulate .
Great Course!
I think this material gave me with a very useful base amount of information and understanding that I will benefit from going forward.
One of the best presentations on the subject I have ever seen!
Excellent presentation, well delivered.
enjoyed the presenter and the discussion
Very good course. on a topic about which I knew very little, other than having studied the Goldbrg decision in law school.
Great class. Drew together a lot of little pieces into a coherent whole.
Well done course.
I would welcome more presentations on public benefits.
Good overview of the welfare state
Great introduction!
This is one of the best Lawline classes that I have taken. A must for learning the important history of welfare.
excellent, substantive presentation
I thought this was well done and informative
Good overview of the history of social programs.