This course will introduce you to the mechanics and politics of states and local government in the United States. We will begin by surveying the mechanics of these entities. Next, we will unpack what social science can tell us about who gets what and why in the state and local context. Finally, we will dive into specific policy areas, addressing current debates using the social science lens we’ve developed.
This course is designed as a broad survey of American government and political processes. It is supposed to convey fundamental concepts and information for understanding politics. The goal is to help you understand key concepts and then to employ these concepts to understand a variety of current political events.
This course will introduce you to the politics of social policy in the United States. We will begin by surveying the state of poverty and inequality, then review the origins of modern social insurance and redistribution. Next, we will unpack what social science can tell us about why these policies look the way they do and what their future may hold. Finally, we will dive into specific policy areas, addressing current debates using the social science lens we’ve developed. The course builds to an op-ed assignment on a policy of your choice, which you will submit to a media outlet of your choosing.
This course will introduce you to the process and politics of public policymaking in the United States. We begin by delineating the mechanics of the policymaking process. Next, we will unpack the limits of apolitical approaches and the need for moral choices. Finally, we will use social science to understand why policies develop the way they do, sometimes seeming irrational. The course builds to an op-ed assignment on a policy of your choice, which you will submit to a media outlet of your choosing.