Policy Practicum Preparatory Seminar

Catalog description

The Policy Practicum Preparatory Seminar is the first course in a required two-course sequence for the Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) major. Offered in the fall semester, this seminar prepares students for the spring Policy Practicum by introducing the objectives, expectations, and professional skills needed to complete a client-based policy consulting project. Working in teams under the guidance of a faculty advisor, students develop the foundation for their Practicum project through project planning, client engagement, and team management. Students are introduced to their client organization and faculty advisor, establish team roles and norms, design a preliminary project methodology, and develop a detailed work plan that outlines project objectives, research strategies, deliverables, milestones, and timelines. The seminar also provides training in project management, professional communication, and collaborative problem solving. Students are evaluated on their participation and the successful development of a comprehensive project work plan that clearly defines the project's objectives, methodology, division of responsibilities, operational roles, and implementation timeline in preparation for the spring Policy Practicum