Time Schedule:
Robert D. Plotnick
PPM 510
Seattle Campus
Reviews public policy analysis and evaluation building on prior study of microeconomics, policy processes, research design, and statistics. Covers theoretical and interdisciplinary frameworks and applications of empirical methods to policy problems and solutions, and considers regularities in incidence, and effects of the use of alternative policy tools. Offered: S.
Class description
The course builds on students' backgrounds in several disciplines and methods, along with their policy area interests, to explore and apply key theoretical frameworks and empirical methods for public policy analysis and evaluation. It also provides perspectives on "policy tools" available to governments and other actors for structuring public policies and the relationship between policy research and the policy-making process.
Student learning goals
To understand the major contemporary intellectual schools of approach to public policy analysis and their relationship to the social science disciplines and philosophy;
to understand the unique niche of PhD level public policy scholars and understand how policy research and analysis enters into the policymaking processes;
to apply advanced research methods to problems of policy analysis and evaluation in their policy area of interest.
General method of instruction
Seminar discussion with lecture on particular topics.
Recommended preparation
Graduate level preparation in microeconomics, public policy processes and institutions, research design and statistics.
Class assignments and grading
