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Academic Year 2001/2002


Public Policy
GOVT 206 SP

This course will provide a survey of several public policies. The course will begin with a discussion of the logic of policy analysis within the context of political institutions, competing interests, uncertainty and power. It will focus on key issues, including problem definition, the design of policy, problems of implementation, and evaluation.  The remainder of the course will be devoted to the examination of several public policy areas.  Special attention will be given to environmental policy, which will be the focus of group projects.  By integrating theoretical literature with case studies of different policies written from a variety of perspectives, the course aims at developing analytical skills as well as an appreciation for the technical and political complexities of policymaking.  Although students are not expected to have taken GOVT204, some prior exposure to quantitative methods is suggested.  A group project on environmental policy (including several PowerPoint presentations and a len gthy written policy analysis) is a central component of the grade.

MAJOR READINGS

Primary readings in the field and extensive use of the internet.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Critical essays, two exams and a policy project.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: GOVT151 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002


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