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Academic Year 2003/2004

Public Policy
GOVT 206 FA

This course will provide a survey of several public policies. The course will begin with a discussion of the logic of public choice within the context of political institutions, competing interests and the implications for institutional design and policy design. It will focus on key issues, including problem definition, the choice of policy instruments, 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 lengthy 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 essay, two exams and a policy project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

"Students who wish to be eligible to register for the course during Drop/Add must add themselves to the enrollment request system during on-line registration. Enrollment request preference rankings will be one factor I will consider in making Drop/Add period registration decisions."

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-19-2004

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