Law and Public Policy in Practice

2 credits · Professional

This course will immerse students in public policy-making. We will explore who makes public policy decisions, how they make them, and how legally- trained individuals can advise decision-makers about/persuade them to make particular policy decisions. Core components covered will include theories and models of public policy, actors/networks, institutions/systems/structures, agenda setting, instruments/tools, empirical evidence, forms of analysis, and communications. We will work with case studies observing the evidence, arguments, and analysis as well as decision-making processes which have led to particular policy reform or have failed to do so. The goal of the course will be to strengthen students’ knowledge and skills with respect to identifying public policy problems, pathways to and strategies for change, including crafting evidence-based and analytically-robust arguments to advocate on behalf of desired results and communicating effectively. The course will be hands-on and practical. CALENDAR NOTES: Assessment Method: This class will be evaluated as follows: 20% class preparation and participation; 80% written assignments (4,000 words total).