ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study that provides an opportunity for students to see the dilemmas involved in doing policy work and to see policy makers and politicians as real people trying to balance competing interests and concerns. Students learn to apply social science research methods to address a community and public policy dilemma and to bring the voices of those left out, the unhoused riders, into policy discussions. While the project and class had an educational impact on the community, it also influenced students. To assess student outcomes, students were given a pre- and posttest that measured political efficacy as well as future career interests, and were asked if they thought they would be civically engaged in the future. Students also remarked on how the project affected their future career aspirations in applying their sociological skills.
