Behavioral Sci in PublicPolicy

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

Governments are embracing the application of behavioral science in public policy. But is this agenda relevant in a development context? In this course students will learn the core principles of behavioral science and how they are relevant for public policy in developing countries. They will also explore developing country case studies and through them the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this agenda. The objectives of this course are to develop a familiarity with the behavioral approach to policy-making and gain an understanding of the importance of problem definition, diagnostics, and design in elaborating policy interventions in a development context. By the end of the course students are expected to be able to examine problems through a behavioral lens and identify potential entry points. This course will help students develop analytical skills and critical thinking, underscoring the importance of implicit assumptions, rigorous testing, and adaptive learning. Students are also expected to interact in class and collect real world examples that they will also be asked to present in class.