PAM 2300

Introduction to Policy Analysis

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2022-2023.

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 social welfare, health, and education areas and also includes an introduction to the technical skills required to undertake policy analysis.

When Offered Spring.

Forbidden Overlaps Forbidden Overlap: due to an overlap in content, students will not receive credit for both PAM 2300 and PAM 2301.

Distribution Category (SBA-HE)

• Apply the scientific method to secondary data analysis in two policy papers.
• Identify public goods and the reasons for failure of free markets to provide them.
• Develop the skills to write a formal analysis of two public policy issues.
• Describe 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).
• Discuss US federal and state policy related to Social Security, health care, and state/federal education policy.
• Conduct research through an individual policy paper and a group policy paper on a specific policy topic.
• Engage in leadership roles in policy groups and work collaboratively to produce a 25-page report.
• Prepare a 6-page and 25-page policy report, to practice written communication skills.
• Prepare and deliver a 20-minute presentation supported by visual aids on their group policy paper.
• Work cooperatively to produce a report within an assigned policy group.

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