Who Gets What - and Why? Public Policy, Health, and Opportunity in the US

1 credits · Undergraduate

How does public policy in the United States shape inequality, economic security, and health in the 21st century, and what trade-offs influence policy choices? We'll explore how social problems are identified and measured, how evidence and data are used to make policy choices, and the trade-offs policymakers face. Most importantly, we'll focus on how policies show up in everyday life—who benefits, who doesn't, and why well-intended policies can have very different results in practice. Public Policy in the 21st Century is a team-taught course that explores a shared set of questions across three policy areas. The class will mix traditional coursework like lectures and writing assignments, with activities like simulations, writing blog posts, and engaging with policy practitioners.