The course seeks to introduce the student to the general methods used in formulating and analyzing policy. Major units in this course cover the history of policy analysis, theories of the policy process, the role of social construction, institutions, interests and values in policy, organizational theory and leadership, the determination of policy goals and objectives, and various analytical and empirical frameworks for analyzing policy and its implementation. This two-semester course sequence explores the basic economics of policy analysis from both a microeconomic and macroeconomic perspective. The course is taught from both a theoretical and case study perspective. This course is taught as a practicum.
Students work in teams providing professional services to public and non-profit agencies .
The course focuses on the acquisition and application of techniques for policy planning, evaluation of policy, and program development, both qualitative and quantitative, technical and political. Ethical issues arising from policy planning, implementation, and evaluation are also considered. This course is designed to introduce students to a number of issues in the study of the American political system at the national, state, regional, and local levels. The readings bring together research and analysis concerning specific topics and theoretical reflection concerning conceptual and analytic approaches. Both the subject matter and the ways in which it is analyzed are characterized by multiple conditions and contexts.