Policy Analysis and Evaluation

Catalog description

This course will provide students with an in-depth study of public policy by linking theory with practice to helping students think about problems systematically. The course addresses the policy process through leading theoretical models within the subfield as well as an evaluation of government’s response, or lack thereof, of contemporary policy problems. Our focus will be on three areas of policy analysis: description, evaluation, and prescription. As part of our focus, we will address policy design, implementation, evaluation, and failure. Overall, students will develop skills required to define and critically examine policy problems, articulate relevant decision-making criteria and assess alternative policy options.