PUBPOL 5605

Political Analysis and the Policy Process

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the key political dimensions of the policymaking process in the United States. We will examine the roles of government institutions and political actors both inside and outside government in developing and implementing policy. Past and present policy debates will be used to illustrate the concepts and theories discussed in class. Students will acquire an understanding of the political processes in which public policies are considered, and gain practical experience executing political strategies in the context of policy campaigns. Case studies will focus on policy and politics related to data science and technology.

Enrollment Priority Enrollment limited to: Brooks School Data Science and Environmental Sustainability Masters students.

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the key political dimensions of the policymaking process in the U.S.
• Articulate the role of politics in policy formulation, implementation and analysis.
• Apply their understanding of issue advocacy, policy framing and political strategy in an applied data science and technology context.
• Think critically about important policy dilemmas and how political processes shape them.
• Frame the key concepts and tools of the course in the context of historical and contemporary data science and technology policy debates.

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