90-714, Policy And Politics In American Political Institutions
12 units
Prerequisites: None
Required for: First year MS students are required to take this course or 90-713, International Politics and Policies
Delivery Format: On-Campus
Description: This course introduces students in the MS program to the craft of policy analysis and its place in the American system. While open to all students, the course is intended for students who plan to work in the United States. The sequence of topics follows the key steps in the "policy process:" (a) problem and goal definition, (b) the development and selection of policy instruments, and (c) evaluation and feedback. Throughout the semester, students will develop an increasing variety of analytical skills that will allow them to anticipate and (where possible) manage the political constraints on policy design, implementation, and evaluation. These skills include: (a) analyzing disagreements over the key concepts and terms of debate that inform policy choice, (b) assessing the preferences and political resources of program stakeholders and other constituents, and (c) designing and assessing the properties of the institutional venues in which policies are formulated and implemented. Along the way, the course will consider competing perspectives on professional ethics, or the proper role of professional policy analysis in the public and private sectors. Course assignments will be structured around a number of brief research tasks and case studies of policy making in the United States. These assignments will typically require students to write a memo of advice to a policy analyst or an official authority. Students will be evaluated on their ability effectively to apply analytical material from the lectures and readings to the cases. Some assignments will divide students into several groups, each presenting different positions in classroom simulations. Students will leave the course with an understanding of the skills required for effective policy analysis, insight into the role of political and professional pressures in policy analysis, and an enhanced ability to work collaboratively with others.
Last modified on May 31, 2006
