Course assignments, including those completed collaboratively, require the group to work together, clarify the policy problem, examine the data, arguments, and support for a particular position and write an argument for the adoption of the groups’ position and rationale for the rejection of other alternatives, with the pros and cons of each.
What "takeaways" from these assignments demonstrate a deeper understanding of the public policy process? What have you learned about the following:
understanding the unique constitutional context of policy making in American government
understanding delegated authority and the role of bureaucracy in policy making
understanding the role of interest groups and citizen participation in policy making
knowing descriptive theories of policy making
knowing perspectives on agenda setting
understanding perspectives on organizational networks and program implementation
understanding the role of procedural constraints on policy implementation
applying quantitative and qualitative analysis to policy issues
applying the role of techniques such as cost-benefit analysis in policy-making
knowing the role of planning and performance assessment in policy making
applying economic concepts such as pareto optimality, supply and demand, indifference curves, price inelasticities, the incidence of taxes and subsidies, and market imperfections
understanding social justice, economic efficiency, political responsiveness, and other normative criteria for policy making
writing briefs both evaluating and advocating policy positions
working in teams to evaluate policy issues and options
See Writing about Class Assignments and Writing about Projects for guiding questions specific to assignments and projects.
Identify & Analyze
Describe each context where you have learned something about the public policy process. The contexts could include course instruction, assignments, on-the-job training, research, interviews of subject matter experts, etc. What did you learn? Where did you learn it? From whom?
Evaluate & Synthesize
Reflect on, or synthesize, the range of contexts and lessons learned about the public policy process. What lessons surface? Which ones can you make the best case for? Support your descriptions with sufficient and compelling evidence.
Transfer
Where and how will you apply these lessons in the work you will be doing post graduation? How will this work be advanced because of your knowledge of the public policy process and the skills acquired through your experiences, projects, courses, training, etc.?
PSAA 611, Public Policy Formation, Deborah Kerr, "Public Policy Analysis Collaborative Project"