GOVT 3032

GOVT 3032

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2015-2016.

Public policies are political outcomes determined by processes that are complex, convoluted and often controversial. The aim of this course is to equip students with the conceptual tools necessary to understand these processes. We will begin with a review of popular approaches to studying policy and then move on to explore the various stages of policy development: agenda-setting, policy design, policy implementation, policy feedback and policy change. We will consider the roles played by both institutions (congress, the bureaucracy and interests groups) and everyday people. Finally, we will closely study several specific policy arenas (a few likely candidates include: education policy, health policy, social welfare policy and housing policy). As we engage all of these ideas, students will be consistently challenged to grapple with the paradoxes of policy making in a democratic polity and to envision pathways for substantive political change.  

When Offered Spring.

Distribution Category (SBA-AS)
Course Subfield (AM)

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion.

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 16602 GOVT 3032   LEC 001

  • 16626 GOVT 3032   DIS 201

  • 16627 GOVT 3032   DIS 202

  • 18515 GOVT 3032   DIS 203

  • 18516 GOVT 3032   DIS 204