Kathryn Wassel, PhD she/her

A survey of the policy studies discipline, including key concepts and the various process models used to analyze public policy. The course also examines the major sub-fields and cognate fields in public policy such as policy analysis and program evaluation. The course will feature guest lectures by several policy studies faculty, who will present overviews of their academic research and consulting interests.

Practical application of appropriate social science research methodology to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of public and non-profit sector programs and policies. Covers a broad range of topics including how to develop an evaluation plan, how to design various types of evaluations such as process, impact, cost-benefit, and cost-effectiveness evaluations, and how to manage evaluation projects.

An examination of why cities and regions grow or fail to grow, and what, if anything, state and local policymakers can do to facilitate economic growth. Course focuses on major theoretical approaches to understanding regional competitiveness and the nature and efficacy of common policy approaches adopted by state and local governments to promote economic development in cities and regions.