Policymaking: Politics, Ethics, and Communication

Catalog description

This course examines how public policy is developed, debated, and implemented, with a focus on political institutions, ethical considerations, and effective communication. Students explore how policymakers navigate competing interests, institutional constraints, and moral dilemmas in designing and advancing policy solutions. The course emphasizes practical skills in policy analysis, including problem definition, evaluation of policy alternatives, stakeholder and institutional analysis, and strategic communication. Students produce professional policy writing, including memos and op-eds, and engage in discussion and critique of policy proposals. By integrating political, ethical, and analytical perspectives, the course prepares students to participate effectively in the policymaking process