Introduction

Hello everyone,

My name is Janine Button, this is my first semester at ASU, and my major is social work.  I chose social work because I feel as though this field of study incorporates all the things I enjoy.  Social workers are given the opportunity to work with all different kinds of people, given the opportunity to apply psychology and sociology, and most importantly, are given the chance to help others and make an impact on people and society.  I just moved to Phoenix last week from Sedona where I was attending Yavapai Community College.

Unfortunately I was not in last weeks class, so I don't know what was discussed, but from our readings, I did find the symbolic and material policies to be interesting.  The symbolic policies arise from concerns of the general public.  Because of this public concern, the symbolic policy seems to be the most informal and possibly the most passionate of policies.  The reading mentioned that The Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the 1986 Oil Pollution Act both arose from the public's concern to ensure the survival of rare plants and animals and the concern about increasing pollution.  I think both of these acts among many others are very important and it is because of these symbolic policies that protection for our environment has taken effect.  I like that the public's voices and concerns are heard and implemented.