Demonstration of how macroeconomic, technological, demographic, and social forces affect the supply and demand for governmental services. Counterpart analysis of the impact of shifts in the patterns of international trade, the demographic composition of the population, and trends in the social structure are also examined. Definition of policy research problems, questions, and hypotheses. Explores modes of policy research, analysis, and rhetoric, including interdisciplinary research strategies. The course uses information sources to emphasize written communication of policy research results.
Course also discusses professional practice issues.
Selected topics in public policy not covered in fixed-content public policy courses. Selected topics relate specifically to culture and policy. This seminar examines policy-making systems and processes, and is organized around the U.S. Federal system, but the approach is comparative. The comparisons will be with both state governments and other countries. The seminar examines policy environments and participants, and emphasizes the evolutionary and dynamic character of policy making.