Public policy is broadly defined as an “intentional course of action followed by a government institution or official for resolving an issue of public concern” (Cochran et al. 2009). The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the public policy process in the United States, including how problems make it to the government’s agenda, the actors and institutions involved in policymaking, and the ways in which policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated. This course highlights major policy issues in the United States with an eye towards identifying causes of these issues and examining possible policy solutions. In addition, we will explore foundational strategies of policy analysis and learn how to critically evaluate the merits of various policy alternatives.
Prerequisite
POLS 101 (American Government and Politics); and junior standing
