Introduction to Public Policy

Catalog description

This course provides an overview of the policymaking process, exploring how governments identify problems, develop solutions, and implement policies. Students will examine key theories, institutions, and actors that shape public policy, including elected officials, bureaucracies, interest groups, and the public. No matter where one is positioned within the policy system, there are opportunities to drive change. Whether as elected officials, public agency managers, nonprofit leaders, policy analysts, frontline service providers, or active citizens, students will gain the knowledge needed to navigate and influence policy effectively. By the end of the course, students will develop critical thinking skills to assess policy effectiveness and understand the impact of government decisions on society.