PS310 - Public Policy

Introduces the basics of public policy and the key actors and institutions involved in the policymaking process.

Focuses on theories, framework and tools for analyzing policy development, implementation, and change.

Provides an overview of major policy domains (i.e., economy and budget, healthcare, welfare and social security, and environmental policy... For each area we will discuss: (1) government intervention, (2) problem definition, (3) key stakeholders, (4) major policy developments, and (5) obstacles to policy change. In exploring each area, we will consider the extent to which each manifests theories of the policy process in practice and illustrate the process of policy analysis.

A collection of students' policy brief assignments, published with their consent. 

More details here

1. Thomas Dye (2017). Understanding public policy. 15th edition. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-416997-2.

2. Michael E. Kraft and Scott R. Furlong (2021). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. 7th edition. LCCN 2019032197 | ISBN 9781544374611

3. Birkland, Thomas A. (2020). An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy Making. Fifth Edition. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN: 9781138495616/ 1138495611.

4. The New York Times and The Washington Post public policy coverage. 

The syllabus is available here.