Advanced Local Policymaking

Catalog description

This course is designed to simulate the local public health policymaking process, providing the foundational context and practical skills necessary to effectively design and advocate for evidence-based public health policy change. Class members will debate potential public policy solutions to pressing health problems and hone their skills through public health advocacy exercises. We will focus on persuasive communication in multiple forms, both oral and written. We will explore the entire policy process from the identification of a problem and evaluation of possible policy solutions to utilizing the full range of advocacy tools to promote policy change. We will be using real-time and historical examples of public health challenges affecting the health, safety and well-being of children and families here in Philadelphia and in communities across the country. The goal of the course is to prepare students to participate meaningfully in policymaking during their public health careers, regardless of whether or not they plan to work directly in policy or law.