PADM 5613 - The Politics of Policymaking

Summer. 0.5 credits. Letter grades only (no audit).

Enrollment limited to: EMPA students.

D. Lamb.

Public affairs professionals require a working understanding of political systems in order to accurately interpret policy proposals and anticipate potential policy changes. This course is designed to offer students a view into the challenges, processes, and political dynamics inherent in contemporary policy-making in the United States.

This course focuses on political aspects of policy making that increasingly dictate policy outcomes. Students will gain a familiarity with political concepts covered in the course, providing tools to help separate consequential policy proposals and political actions from political antics. The course will examine the U.S. political system, how the major political parties have evolved and operate today, and how partisan politics impacts governing at federal, state, and local levels. The course will address how various interest groups influence politics and policy-making through campaigns, public engagement, lobbying, and activism.

Outcome 1: Students will identify and evaluate key points of influence and key players in the legislative process.

Outcome 2: Students will think analytically about policy-making and critique legislative proposals in terms of timing, history, constituencies, politics, potential impacts, and likelihood of success.

Outcome 3: Students will articulate the policy making process from point of view of elected officials, staff, and external interest groups.

Outcome 4: Students will apply policy-making theory to analyze recent legislative actions and to forecast pending outcomes.