PUBPOL 3910 - Federal Policy Making in Action

Spring. 1 credit. S/U grades only.

Forbidden Overlap: due to an overlap in content, students will not receive credit for both PUBPOL 3910.
Co-meets with LAW 6070.

S. Simonetta.

The purpose of this one-credit course is to provide a behind-the-scenes examination of the U.S. federal policy making process with examples primarily relating to labor policy. We will begin with a discussion of the statutory framework that shapes this process and defines the roles of the many entities involved. Understanding how policy is developed in law and regulation will be a major emphasis of the course. Policy implementation, administration, and oversight will also be addressed. We will focus on a variety of related topics, including the President’s Budget, congressional appropriations, inter-agency collaboration, and the effect of good government initiatives on substantive policy making. Efforts to respond to the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis will also be discussed.

Outcome 1: Describe how policy is formulated in executive agencies.

Outcome 2: Advance policy objectives through the budget and the appropriations process.

Outcome 3: Explain how policy development by executive agencies is influenced by congressional involvement.

Outcome 4: Engage the public in policy making.