POSC 380 - Public Policy Analysis

Units: 3 ;Breadth Area: GE-UD-D; Social Justice
Surveys the formulation, implementation, and impact of public policy dealing with social and economic problems. Examines and evaluates the causes and content of government policy in various areas such as civil rights, social welfare, crime, education, health, environment, energy, taxation.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Area D1-3 requirements.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 with grade C- (CR) or better.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-D - Upper Division Social Sciences, Overlay - Social Justice
Course Typically Offered: Variable Intermittently

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

To explain primary concepts and theories of policymaking and to analyze issues of social justice and (in)equity involved in the policy process.
To explain what are the institutions and forces involved in the policymaking process including political actors, economic forces, and advocates.
To use analytical skills to better understand social reality, policy initiatives, policy alternatives, and their social consequences.
To conduct research on a current public policy, and to use evaluative techniques to critique the strengths and weaknesses of the policy, and possible solutions as well as it’s impact on marginalized groups and communities.
To write a high quality public policy analysis and develop oral presentation skills through the presentation of a research project to the class on a research topic.

UD-D. Upper-division Social Sciences Learning Outcomes

analyze how power and social identity affect social outcomes for different cultural and economic groups using methods of social science inquiry and vocabulary appropriate to those methods;
demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply accurately disciplinary concepts of the social or behavioral sciences; and
demonstrate an understanding of and ability to effectively plan or conduct research using an appropriate method of the social or behavioral sciences.

Social Justice Overlay Learning Outcomes

use a disciplinary perspective to analyze issues of social justice and equity;
describe the challenges to achieving social justice; and
identify ways in which individuals and/or groups can contribute to social justice within local communities, nations, or the world.