GOVT204 - Policy Analysis: A Quantitative Approach

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2004/2005

Policy Analysis: A Quantitative Approach
GOVT 204 FA

Policy analysis entails thinking systematically about public policy and the ways in which officials make decisions and tradeoffs in an environment characterized by uncertainty, conflicting interests, and scarce resources. It also entails assessing policy performance. Fortunately, many conceptual and analytical tools can provide a greater degree of precision in analyzing policy, assuming that they are used correctly. This course introduces students to the conceptual and theoretical foundations of policy analysis and provides coverage of several critical quantitative techniques (e.g., cost-benefit analysis). Along the way, students will be introduced to the logic of social scientific research.

MAJOR READINGS

A core text in policy analysis, case studies, and articles employing a variety of quantitative techniques and approaches to policy analysis.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Exams, presentations, and exercises

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No knowledge of calculus is assumed. This course is strongly recommended for Government majors, particularly those in the American Politics and Public Policy concentration. Ideally, it should be taken in the sophomore year, because its lesson can be applied in many upper-level courses.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: GOVT151

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Eisner,Marc A.

Times: .M.W.F. 08:00AM-08:50AM; Location: PAC004;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 25)

SR. major: 8 Jr. major: 9

SR. non-major: 0 Jr. non-major: 0 SO: 8 FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Quantitative Reasoning

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005