POLI 201 - Fundamentals of Public Policy

(BSSD)

Introduces the discipline of public policy. The role of key institutions, processes, and public policy actors such as Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, the courts, interest groups, and the media will be explored. Students learn basic analytic strategies for assessing public policies. Various policy areas will be examined such as inequality, education, health care, economic and budgetary, immigration, environmental, and/or homeland security policies. This course can help students understand, evaluate, and affect public policies throughout their lives. PREREQUISITE(S): ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A . Three hours each week.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to

Explain the need for and role of public policy in our society.
Describe and assess major governmental and nongovernmental actors most involved in public policy processes.
Demonstrate the use of policy analysis tools to assess the likely consequences of public policy choices.
Evaluate policy proposals and actions for their efficiency, equity, and feasibility.
Describe contemporary problems and debates within a variety of public policy areas, such as education policy, environmental policy, and economic policy.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing policy proposals and recommendations.
Participate within the public policy decision-making process to make positive differences.

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