Practice of Policy Tradecraft

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor, Undergraduate

Every student in the GPS concentration will need deep expertise in policy tradecraft. The capacity to analyze existing policy, to devise new policy initiatives, to participate in group decision-making, and to develop broad strategies for implementation will prove indispensable in both public and private sector positions. This gateway course will provide that policy expertise in four main tracks: analysis, design, decision-making, and planning. At each step, the work will be practical and applied rather than theoretical and abstract. Students will use a real world practicum project to apply each of these tradecraft competencies to produce concrete proposals. This course will help students answer three critical questions: First, how did we get here? Students will explore and master the analytical techniques necessary to understand and critique past and present policies by examining the priorities, personalities and decision-making processes that resulted in policy outcomes. Second, what’s our next step? Students will learn a methodical process for identifying problems and crafting new initiatives to address those problems. Third, where’s the action plan? Students will be challenged to develop a comprehensive, multi-year strategy linking means and ends to achieve a stated objective and provide recommendations for decision in a group setting.