PUBL201

This course is a primer on public policy and policy formation in which we will explore the intersection of issues or problems, politics, and governmental policy. A major goal of the course is to instill a basic knowledge of how public policies are formulated in the United States at different levels of government. We focus on the roles of institutions, the actors, agenda setting, problem identification and definition, policy alternatives and selection, and implementation and evaluation. The course will guide you in finding answers to a number of key questions about public policy and public policy processes as they exists in the United States. Our exploration of public policy making will be based on a combination of readings with case studies, lectures, class discussions, guest speakers, and class assignments.