Policy and Politics in the U.S.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors only. This course is designed to acquaint students with the major features of American policymaking at the national level by engaging in primary research and extensive memo-writing on selected policy issues. Each student will be expected to become familiar with at least three policy areas, understanding existing government policies and underlying tradeoffs and paradoxes; proposing intellectually defensible and politically feasible reforms; and suggesting political strategies for enacting these reforms. Possible topics include social security, environmental regulations, federal aid and mandates for education, affirmative action, welfare, and the use of public lands.