Building on a core of four core courses, students design a course of study to pursue their area of interest within the context of the program s focus, taking advantage of the wide range of classes offered by the University of Washington, Tacoma and the expertise of faculty advisers. The program integrates the study of sociology of knowledge, philosophy, social and political theory, history, anthropology and systems theory to shed light on the factors that affect policy formulation. Examples of possible areas of interest include the environment, health, education, race and ethnicity, gender, families and children, media, labor, immigration, trade and development, urban studies, and state and local government. To understand circumstances and institutional culture in order to contribute realistically and effectively to the state of the question in a given setting. To analyze factors contributing to dissimilar and often competing agendas of different organizations or groups, thereby enhancing opportunities for informed compromise and cooperation.
Public action refers to policy or actions planned and implemented in an organized context.
By exploring these questions, the master s program will be a sustained investigation of factors that critically shape selected processes and outcomes. This course of study may apply to most any profession, whether one works within a large organization or one-person shop, as well as to individuals who are interested in learning for the sake of gaining knowledge and a richer understanding of the world around them. Program Design This Master of Arts program emphasizes foundations of public action and is a 52-credit master s degree. The four core courses are closely integrated, constituting a single, extended investigation of how issues and problems are evaluated in the process of taking action. The courses examine analytical tools and how social and organizational cultures influence the work required in moving toward taking action.