PAM 2300 - Introduction to Policy Analysis

(SBA-HE)

Fall. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

R. Avery.

Policy analysis is an interdisciplinary field that uses theories, concepts, and methods from disciplines such as economics, sociology, and political science to address substantive issues in the public policy arena. Students are introduced to the functions of and interactions between the major institutions (public and private) at the national, state, and local level involved in the policy making process. The course focuses on public policy analysis in the family/social welfare, health, and market regulatory areas and also includes an introduction to the technical skills required to undertake policy analysis.

Outcome 1: Students will learn to apply the scientific method to secondary data analysis in two policy papers.

Outcome 2: Students will learn to identify public goods and the reasons for failure of free markets to provide them.

Outcome 3: Students will develop the skills to write a formal analysis of two public policy issues.

Outcome 4: Students will learn the fundamentals of cost-benefit analysis, including inflation, the Consumer Price Index, time value of money, discounting, and valuing human life through quality adjusted life years (QALYs).

Outcome 5: Students will gain a thorough understanding of US federal and state policy related to Social Security, health care, education, and market regulatory mechanisms.

Outcome 6: Students will gain practice conducting research through an individual policy paper and a group policy paper on a specific policy topic.

Outcome 7: Students will be given the opportunity to take a leadership role in their policy groups and to work collaboratively to produce a 25-page report.

Outcome 8: Students will practice their written communication skills by the preparation of a 6-page and 25-page policy report.

Outcome 9: Students will be required to prepare and deliver a 20-minute presentation supported by visual aids on their group policy paper.

Outcome 10: Students will be assigned to a policy group in which they will learn to work cooperatively to produce a report.