CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
Offers a general primer on large-scale policies directed by US federal and state governments, with specific examples in pressing policy areas. Takes existing policies and the policy process as a given, explains them in detail, and puts a policy focus on very specific contemporary questions of concern to policymakers. Gain a broad overall knowledge of how the majority of state and federal funding is spent and the policy outcomes associated with that spending.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: None Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate understanding of how the US federal budget is spent and US domestic policies. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Gain knowledge and demonstrate application of methodological tools utilized in the public policy arena (e.g., policy memo writing,). Audience: Undergraduate 3. Demonstrate understanding and application of knowledge regarding the policy, being able to apply basic policy concepts to practical cases drawn from the real-world. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Engage in knowledgeable discussions about policy with researchers and policy experts. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Assess and interpret empirical analyses of policies, and understand the effect of policy changes. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Persuasively advocate for a proposed policy change. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate understanding of how the US federal budget is spent and US domestic policies. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Gain knowledge and demonstrate application of methodological tools utilized in the public policy arena (e.g., policy memo writing,). Audience: Undergraduate 3. Demonstrate understanding and application of knowledge regarding the policy, being able to apply basic policy concepts to practical cases drawn from the real-world. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Engage in knowledgeable discussions about policy with researchers and policy experts. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Assess and interpret empirical analyses of policies, and understand the effect of policy changes. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Persuasively advocate for a proposed policy change. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027