POLITICAL ACTION AND PUBLIC POLICY
SUMMER 2016
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course examines why and how individuals organize to influence government in the development of
public policy. Students are introduced to interest group politics, effective advocacy, the tools of political
communication, and policy development and analysis. The course will examine critical domestic policy
areas, such as energy, environment, education, health, justice, and economic stability.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments must be submitted 30 days after the completion of the course.
Final grades will be determined as follows:
In-class participation
10%
When new topics are introduced, students will be expected to discuss the ideas presented in class,
answer questions from the professor, and ask questions.
Response Papers
60%
Each of the 4 classes will have a corresponding homework assignment. These will consist of a 2-3 page
written response addressing a specific question based on the topics discussed in each class. In each of the
4 assignments I expect students to demonstrate that you have read the relevant readings listed on the
syllabus. A good answer is one that both draws on the assigned readings as well as your own analysis of
current events.
Memo
30%
For this assignment, each student will imagine that he or she is an advisor to one of their members of
Congress. Students will select a public policy issue that is being debated in their state and write a 4-5
page memo to their boss.