Current Courses

Human and Organizational Development 2700: Public Policy

Vanderbilt University, Peabody College

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to U.S. public policy. We will explore the key analytical and theoretical perspectives necessary for understanding the policymaking process. Specifically, we will cover a basic overview of U.S. civics and the organization of local, state, and federal government, theories regarding how these institutions operate and interact with citizens, and substantive policy in select areas. Public policy affects nearly every aspect of human life, and the processes by which policy is made are complex and varied.

Throughout the course students will work to develop their analytic, writing, and presentation skills. The first part of the course will define the context for policymaking, the structure of the policy process, and introduce a framework for examining policy choices. The second portion of the course will cover policy choices, implementation, and evaluation more in depth, and introduce a formal process for writing policy briefs. The third portion of the class will continue our analysis of public policy by touching on five substantive policy issues.

Although this course takes place in the context of U.S. public policy, the course is substantively about analyzing problems and solutions. The critical thinking and writing aspects of the course carry through to numerous other applications.