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PUBLPOL 55N: Public Policy and Personal Finance (ECON 25N)

The seminar will provide an introduction and discussion of the impact of public policy on personal finance. Voters regularly rate the economy as one of the most important factors shaping their political views and most of those opinions are focused on their individual bottom lines. In this course we will discuss the rationale for different public policies and how they affect personal financial situations. We will explore personal finance issues such as taxes, loans, charity, insurance, and pensions. Using the context of (hypothetical) personal finance positions, we will discuss the public policy implications of various proposals and how they affect different groups of people, for example: the implications of differential tax rates for different types of income, the promotion of home ownership in the U.S., and policies to care for our aging population. While economic policy will be the focus of much of the course, we will also examine some of the implications of social policies on personal finance as well. There will be weekly readings and several short policy-related writing assignments.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Rosston, G. (PI)

PUBLPOL 101: Politics and Public Policy (POLISCI 123, PUBLPOL 201)

Analysis of how public policy is made in the U.S. Theories from political science and public policy studies are assessed using case studies in contemporary policy areas, including tax, social welfare, and environmental policy. Each student also studies a policy issue of their own choice.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Frisby, T. (PI)

PUBLPOL 102: Organizations and Public Policy (PUBLPOL 202)

Analysis of organizational processes emphasizing organizations that operate in a non-market environment. Prerequisite: ECON 1.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci
Instructors: ; Bendor, J. (PI)

PUBLPOL 103C: Justice (ETHICSOC 171, IPS 208, PHIL 171, PHIL 271, POLISCI 3P, POLISCI 136S, POLISCI 336S, PUBLPOL 307)

Focus is on the ideal of a just society, and the place of liberty and equality in it, in light of contemporary theories of justice and political controversies. Topics include financing schools and elections, regulating markets, discriminating against people with disabilities, and enforcing sexual morality. Counts as Writing in the Major for PoliSci majors.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-EthicReas, WAY-ER

PUBLPOL 103D: Ethics and Politics of Public Service (CSRE 178, ETHICSOC 133, HUMBIO 178, PHIL 175A, PHIL 275A, POLISCI 133, URBANST 122)

Ethical and political questions in public service work, including volunteering, service learning, humanitarian assistance, and public service professions such as medicine and teaching. Motives and outcomes in service work. Connections between service work and justice. Is mandatory service an oxymoron? History of public service in the U.S. Issues in crosscultural service work. Integration with the Haas Center for Public Service to connect service activities and public service aspirations with academic experiences at Stanford. [This class is capped but there are some spaces available with permission of instructor. If the class is full and you would like to be considered for these extra spaces, please email sburbank@stanford.edu with your name, grade level, and a paragraph explaining why you want to take the class.]
Terms: Spr | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-EDP, WAY-ER

PUBLPOL 104: Economic Policy Analysis (ECON 150, PUBLPOL 204)

The relationship between microeconomic analysis and public policy making. How economic policy analysis is done and why political leaders regard it as useful but not definitive in making policy decisions. Economic rationales for policy interventions, methods of policy evaluation and the role of benefit-cost analysis, economic models of politics and their application to policy making, and the relationship of income distribution to policy choice. Theoretical foundations of policy making and analysis, and applications to program adoption and implementation. Prerequisites: ECON 50 and ECON 102B.
Terms: Win, Spr | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: WAY-AQR

PUBLPOL 106: Law and Economics (ECON 154, PUBLPOL 206)

Law as a tool for correcting market and cognitive failures. Design and consequences of laws, given alternative policy objectives. Welfarist approach to legal policy; deontological perspectives including Kant, Mill, and Rawls. Economic efficiency and agent rationality, effects of law on expectations and incentives, balancing costs of type I and type II legal errors. Empirical studies of law's effects. Applications: property, tort, contract, antitrust, discrimination, crime, legal procedure. Examples chiefly from U.S. law, but analytical tools of general applicability. Prerequisite: ECON 50.
Terms: Win | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Owen, B. (PI)

PUBLPOL 107: Public Finance and Fiscal Policy (ECON 141)

What role should and does government play in the economy? What are the effects of government spending, borrowing, and taxation on efficiency, equity and economic stability and growth? The course covers economic analysis, statistical evidence and historical and current fiscal policy debates in the U.S. and around the world. Policy topics: Fiscal crises, budget surpluses/deficits; tax reform; social security, public goods, and externalities; fiscal federalism; public investment; and cost-benefit analysis. Prerequisites: ECON 51, ECON 52 (can be taken concurrently).
Terms: Win | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Suarez Serrato, J. (PI)

PUBLPOL 115: Practical Training

Qualified Public Policy students obtain employment in a relevant research or industrial activity to enhance their professional experience consistent with their degree programs. Prior to enrolling students must get internship approved by the Public Policy Program. At the start of the quarter, students must submit a one page statement showing the relevance of the employment to the degree program along with an offer letter. At the end of the quarter, a three page final report must be supplied documenting work done and relevance to degree program. Meets the requirements for Curricular Practical Training for students on F-1 visas. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-10 | Repeatable for credit

PUBLPOL 121L: Racial-Ethnic Politics in US (AMSTUD 121L, CSRE 121L, POLISCI 121L)

This course examines various issues surrounding the role of race and ethnicity in the American political system. Specifically, this course will evaluate the development of racial group solidarity and the influence of race on public opinion, political behavior, the media, and in the criminal justice system. We will also examine the politics surrounding the Multiracial Movement and the development of racial identity and political attitudes in the 21st century. Stats 60 or Econ 1 is strongly recommended.
Terms: Aut | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-EDP, WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Davenport, L. (PI)

PUBLPOL 122: Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response

Overview of the most pressing biosecurity issues facing the world today. Guest lecturers have included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Special Assistant on BioSecurity to Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr. Dr. Ken Bernard, Chief Medical Officer of the Homeland Security Department Dr. Alex Garza, eminent scientists, innovators and physicians in the field, and leaders of relevant technology companies. How well the US and global healthcare systems are prepared to withstand a pandemic or a bioterrorism attack, how the medical/healthcare field, government, and the technology sectors are involved in biosecurity and pandemic or bioterrorism response and how they interface, the rise of synthetic biology with its promises and threats, global bio-surveillance, making the medical diagnosis, isolation, containment, hospital surge capacity, stockpiling and distribution of countermeasures, food and agriculture biosecurity, new promising technologies for detection of bio-threats and countermeasures. Open to medical, graduate, and undergraduate students. No prior background in biology necessary. 4 units for twice weekly attendance (Mon. and Wed.); additional 1 unit for writing a research paper for 5 units total maximum.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5 | UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom
Instructors: ; Trounce, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 124: What's Wrong with American Government? An Institutional Approach (POLISCI 120C)

How politicians, once elected, work together to govern America. The roles of the President, Congress, and Courts in making and enforcing laws. Focus is on the impact of constitutional rules on the incentives of each branch, and on how they influence law. Fulfills the Writing in the Major Requirement for Political Science majors.
Terms: Spr, Sum | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI

PUBLPOL 132: The Politics of Policy Making (PUBLPOL 232)

Public policymaking in the United States is part of a political process that can take years or even decades to play out. A familiarity with the politics of policymaking is key to understanding why some reform attempts are successful while others are not. This course will give students a behind-the-scenes look at how policy actually gets made. Students will gain exposure to the theory and literature behind policy formulation, and engage in debates over historical and contemporary efforts at reform.
Terms: Spr | Units: 3
Instructors: ; Chen, L. (PI)

PUBLPOL 133: Urban Politics (AMSTUD 121Z, POLISCI 121, URBANST 111)

The major actors, institutions, processes, and policies of sub-state government in the U.S., emphasizing city general-purpose governments through a comparative examination of historical and contemporary politics. Issues related to federalism, representation, voting, race, poverty, housing, and finances.
Terms: Win | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci
Instructors: ; Nall, C. (PI)

PUBLPOL 134: Ethics On the Edge: Business, Non-Profit Organizations, Government, and Individuals (ETHICSOC 234R, PUBLPOL 234)

The objective of the course is to explore the current international emphasis on organizational ethics. Students will consider in-depth complex ethics matters across business, the non-profit sector, and government. We will unravel the factors contributing to the seemingly pervasive failure of ethics today, including commonalities and links among sectors, through a broad range of international case studies. Examples might include: the Bangladesh garment factory fire and collapse; corruption in Nigeria; the Libor rate-rigging scandal; the US military sex abuse scandal; the GlaxoSmithKline China corruption scandal; racism in international football; drones; social media; and a non-profit sector ethics challenge to be identified. Prominent guest speakers will attend certain sessions interactively. Questions of cultural context, how ethics lags behind technology, ethics and leadership, and ethics and global systemic risks (poverty, financial system meltdown, climate change, cyber terrorism¿) will be considered. Attendance required. Grading is based 25% on short assignments, 35% class participation, and 40% final project. The final project is in lieu of exam on a topic of each student¿s choice. Class participation may include a variety of options beyond simply speaking up in class (e.g. participation on the class web site, assisting other students with presentations or final projects, participation in relevant University events, group discussions during office hours¿).
Terms: Spr | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-ER
Instructors: ; Liautaud, S. (PI)

PUBLPOL 135: Regional Politics and Decision Making in Silicon Valley and the Greater Bay Area

Dynamics of regional leadership and decision making in Silicon Valley, a complex region composed of 40 cities and four counties without any overarching framework for governance. Formal and informal institutions shaping outcomes in the region. Case studies include transportation, workforce development, housing and land use, and climate change.
Terms: Win | Units: 3

PUBLPOL 154: Politics and Policy in California

State politics and policy making, including the roles of the legislature, legislative leadership, governor, special interests, campaign finance, advocacy groups, ballot initiatives, state laws, media, and research organizations. Case studies involving budgets, education, pensions, health care, political reform, open primaries, infrastructure and more. Evaluation of political actions, both inside and outside of government, that can affect outcomes. One day trip to Sacramento.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

PUBLPOL 156: Health Care Policy and Reform

Focuses on healthcare policy at the national, state, and local levels. Includes sessions on international models, health insurance, the evolution of healthcare policy in the U.S., key U.S. healthcare topics (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [PPACA], Medicare, Medicaid, public employee retiree health care), the role of technology, reform proposals (single payer, national health care, market-based systems, regulated markets, state and local reform efforts), efficiency/cost drivers and prospects for future policy. We expect to spend at least two sessions on recent developments surrounding PPACA (aka Obamacare) and its implementation.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

PUBLPOL 157: Applied Quantitative Research in Political Science (POLISCI 155)

Introduction to methods of research design and data analysis used in quantitative political research. The course will cover issues that are typically missing from intro stats and econometrics courses but are central to applied political science research. Methods topics include: experimental and observational approaches to estimating causal effects, measuring political preferences from data, working with big data, and effective data presentation and visualization. These topics will be introduced using data sets from American politics, international relations, and comparative politics. The course will include an introduction to the widely used R statistical programming language. Satisfies quantitative methods requirement for the Political Science Research Honors Track. Prerequisites: Stat 60, Econ 102A, or instructor consent.
Terms: Spr | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: WAY-AQR
Instructors: ; Nall, C. (PI)

PUBLPOL 168: Global Organizations: Managing Diversity (PUBLPOL 268, SOC 168, SOC 268)

Analytical tools derived from the social sciences to analyze global organizations and projects, and applied to the tradeoffs between different designs of teams and organizations. Focus is on tribal mentality and how to design effective organizations and projects for policy implementation within and across institutional settings. This class is associated with a study trip during the Spring Break. Recommended: PUBLPOL 102, MS&E 180, SOC 160, ECON 149, or MGTECON 330.
Terms: Win | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-EDP

PUBLPOL 174: The Urban Economy (URBANST 173)

Applies the principles of economic analysis to historical and contemporary urban and regional development issues and policies. Explores themes of urban economic geography, location decision-making by firms and individuals, urban land and housing markets, and local government finance. Critically evaluates historical and contemporary government policies regulating urban land use, housing, employment development, and transportation. Prerequisite: Econ 1A or permission of instructor.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Wolfe, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 184: Poverty and Policies in Developing Economies

Economic models of growth and poverty, differences in growth rates among countries, and the persistence of poverty. Models of physical and human capital accumulation, and recent theories of the importance of institutions, social capital, and political factors. The effectiveness of social policies in developing countries, emphasizing India, in the light of theories of growth and poverty, and in terms of immediate goals and long-term consequences. Policies include schooling and health, anti-poverty, banking, and political decentralization. Limited Enrollment. Prerequisites: ECON 1 and ECON 50.
Terms: Win | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Kochar, A. (PI)

PUBLPOL 194: Technology Policy (PUBLPOL 294)

How the U.S. federal government promotes, uses, and regulates new technologies; tensions between representative governance and the need for elite expertise in policymaking; contemporary debates over international security, energy, health, information technology, and economic competitiveness. Recommended: POLISCI 2.
Terms: Win | Units: 3-4
Instructors: ; Slayton, R. (PI)

PUBLPOL 197: Junior Honors Seminar (ECON 198)

Primarily for students who expect to write an honors thesis. Weekly sessions discuss writing an honors thesis proposal (prospectus), submitting grant applications, and completing the honors thesis. Readings focus on writing skills and research design. Students select an adviser, outline a program of study for their senior year, and complete a prospectus by the end of the quarter. Enrollment limited to 25.
Terms: Spr | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Clerici-Arias, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 198: Directed Readings in Public Policy

Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-5 | Repeatable for credit

PUBLPOL 199: Senior Research

May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr | Units: 1-15 | Repeatable for credit

PUBLPOL 200A: Senior Practicum

Small student teams conduct policy analyses requested by government and nonprofit organizations. With guidance from the instructor and client organization, each team researches a real-world problem and devises implementable policy recommendations to help address it. The project culminates in a professional report and presentation to the client organization. Prerequisites: core courses in Public Policy or consent of instructor.
Terms: Aut | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Hennessey, K. (PI)

PUBLPOL 200B: Senior Practicum

Small student teams conduct policy analyses requested by government and nonprofit organizations. With guidance from the instructor and client organization, each team researches a real-world problem and devises implementable policy recommendations to help address it. The project culminates in a professional report and presentation to the client organization. Prerequisites: core courses in Public Policy or consent of instructor.
Terms: Win | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Sprague, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 200C: Senior Practicum

Small student teams conduct policy analyses requested by government and nonprofit organizations. With guidance from the instructor and client organization, each team researches a real-world problem and devises implementable policy recommendations to help address it. The project culminates in a professional report and presentation to the client organization. Prerequisites: core courses in Public Policy or consent of instructor.
Terms: Spr | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Hancock, R. (PI)

PUBLPOL 200H: Senior Honors Seminar

Students conduct original research for oral presentations and a paper on a policy-related topic. Topic and methods of analysis determined by student in consultation with instructor. Goal is to improve analytical, research, writing, and communication skills. Prerequisites: core courses in Public Policy or consent of instructor.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3
Instructors: ; Sprague, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 201: Politics and Public Policy (POLISCI 123, PUBLPOL 101)

Analysis of how public policy is made in the U.S. Theories from political science and public policy studies are assessed using case studies in contemporary policy areas, including tax, social welfare, and environmental policy. Each student also studies a policy issue of their own choice.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5
Instructors: ; Frisby, T. (PI)

PUBLPOL 202: Organizations and Public Policy (PUBLPOL 102)

Analysis of organizational processes emphasizing organizations that operate in a non-market environment. Prerequisite: ECON 1.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5
Instructors: ; Bendor, J. (PI)

PUBLPOL 204: Economic Policy Analysis (ECON 150, PUBLPOL 104)

The relationship between microeconomic analysis and public policy making. How economic policy analysis is done and why political leaders regard it as useful but not definitive in making policy decisions. Economic rationales for policy interventions, methods of policy evaluation and the role of benefit-cost analysis, economic models of politics and their application to policy making, and the relationship of income distribution to policy choice. Theoretical foundations of policy making and analysis, and applications to program adoption and implementation. Prerequisites: ECON 50 and ECON 102B.
Terms: Win, Spr | Units: 4-5

PUBLPOL 206: Law and Economics (ECON 154, PUBLPOL 106)

Law as a tool for correcting market and cognitive failures. Design and consequences of laws, given alternative policy objectives. Welfarist approach to legal policy; deontological perspectives including Kant, Mill, and Rawls. Economic efficiency and agent rationality, effects of law on expectations and incentives, balancing costs of type I and type II legal errors. Empirical studies of law's effects. Applications: property, tort, contract, antitrust, discrimination, crime, legal procedure. Examples chiefly from U.S. law, but analytical tools of general applicability. Prerequisite: ECON 50.
Terms: Win | Units: 4-5
Instructors: ; Owen, B. (PI)

PUBLPOL 222: Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response (SURG 222)

Overview of the most pressing biosecurity issues facing the world today. Guest lecturers have included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Special Assistant on BioSecurity to Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr. Dr. Ken Bernard, Chief Medical Officer of the Homeland Security Department Dr. Alex Garza, eminent scientists, innovators and physicians in the field, and leaders of relevant technology companies. How well the US and global healthcare systems are prepared to withstand a pandemic or a bioterrorism attack, how the medical/healthcare field, government, and the technology sectors are involved in biosecurity and pandemic or bioterrorism response and how they interface, the rise of synthetic biology with its promises and threats, global bio-surveillance, making the medical diagnosis, isolation, containment, hospital surge capacity, stockpiling and distribution of countermeasures, food and agriculture biosecurity, new promising technologies for detection of bio-threats and countermeasures. Open to medical, graduate, and undergraduate students. No prior background in biology necessary. 2 unit option for once weekly attendance (Wed only); 4 unit option for twice weekly attendance (Mon and Wed); 1 additional units (for a maximum of 5 units total) for a research paper.
Terms: Spr | Units: 2-5
Instructors: ; Trounce, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 231: Health Care Regulation, Finance and Policy (HRP 391)

(SAME AS LAW 348, MGTECON 331) Provides the legal, institutional, and economic background necessary to understand the financing and production of health services in the U.S. Potential topics include: health reform, health insurance (Medicare and Medicaid, employer-sponsored insurance, the uninsured), medical malpractice and quality regulation, pharmaceuticals, the corporate practice of medicine, regulation of fraud and abuse, and international comparisons.
Terms: Win | Units: 3

PUBLPOL 232: The Politics of Policy Making (PUBLPOL 132)

Public policymaking in the United States is part of a political process that can take years or even decades to play out. A familiarity with the politics of policymaking is key to understanding why some reform attempts are successful while others are not. This course will give students a behind-the-scenes look at how policy actually gets made. Students will gain exposure to the theory and literature behind policy formulation, and engage in debates over historical and contemporary efforts at reform.
Terms: Spr | Units: 3
Instructors: ; Chen, L. (PI)

PUBLPOL 234: Ethics On the Edge: Business, Non-Profit Organizations, Government, and Individuals (ETHICSOC 234R, PUBLPOL 134)

The objective of the course is to explore the current international emphasis on organizational ethics. Students will consider in-depth complex ethics matters across business, the non-profit sector, and government. We will unravel the factors contributing to the seemingly pervasive failure of ethics today, including commonalities and links among sectors, through a broad range of international case studies. Examples might include: the Bangladesh garment factory fire and collapse; corruption in Nigeria; the Libor rate-rigging scandal; the US military sex abuse scandal; the GlaxoSmithKline China corruption scandal; racism in international football; drones; social media; and a non-profit sector ethics challenge to be identified. Prominent guest speakers will attend certain sessions interactively. Questions of cultural context, how ethics lags behind technology, ethics and leadership, and ethics and global systemic risks (poverty, financial system meltdown, climate change, cyber terrorism¿) will be considered. Attendance required. Grading is based 25% on short assignments, 35% class participation, and 40% final project. The final project is in lieu of exam on a topic of each student¿s choice. Class participation may include a variety of options beyond simply speaking up in class (e.g. participation on the class web site, assisting other students with presentations or final projects, participation in relevant University events, group discussions during office hours¿).
Terms: Spr | Units: 3
Instructors: ; Liautaud, S. (PI)

PUBLPOL 235: From Innovation to Implementation: How Government Can Develop and Apply New Ideas (IPS 235)

What are the barriers to reform and innovative thinking in government? What are the factors that need to be taken into account when implementing change? What are the bureaucratic structures and power relationships that policy-makers must understand and navigate in order to embed reform? The aim of this seminar is to give students a detailed understanding of how political change happens and an understanding of why it often doesn¿t. Using cases studies from successful and unsuccessful reform programs around the world, this course will expose students to innovations in key public sector issue areas including education, healthcare, well-being, and government transparency and accountability; provides a sense of what's it's like actually trying to make change happen in a government context, and will equip students with the skills and understanding to be able to make change happen in a government setting.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3-5
Instructors: ; Hilton, S. (PI)

PUBLPOL 241: Design Thinking for Public Policy Innovators

Public skepticism about the ability of the political system and public institutions to tackle the big problems facing modern societies challenges policy makers to demonstrate fresh thinking and innovative ideas. This class will explore how the methods and mindsets of design thinking - in particular its emphasis on a human-centered approach - can offer new insights and help lead to policy innovations.nnThis class is a hybrid: a combination of traditional seminar-based instruction with the project-based design challenges found at the d.school. You will focus on a topical policy challenge: poverty and inequality in America, with emphasis on the experience of children six and younger. To gain empathy and insight and drive your project work, all students will engage with individuals and families in the San Francisco Bay Area facing disadvantage; for content depth and context you will engage directly with leading subject experts in a blend of lecture, readings, and short assignments. You must be able to commit to team collaboration that happens outside of class while the design projects are in full swing, including trips off-campus. nnAt the conclusion you will present your ideas directly to senior policy makers from the Bay Area and New York City, and you will create rich media materials that can be shared with those working on solutions to poverty across the US and beyond.
Terms: Spr | Units: 3-4

PUBLPOL 268: Global Organizations: Managing Diversity (PUBLPOL 168, SOC 168, SOC 268)

Analytical tools derived from the social sciences to analyze global organizations and projects, and applied to the tradeoffs between different designs of teams and organizations. Focus is on tribal mentality and how to design effective organizations and projects for policy implementation within and across institutional settings. This class is associated with a study trip during the Spring Break. Recommended: PUBLPOL 102, MS&E 180, SOC 160, ECON 149, or MGTECON 330.
Terms: Win | Units: 4

PUBLPOL 294: Technology Policy (PUBLPOL 194)

How the U.S. federal government promotes, uses, and regulates new technologies; tensions between representative governance and the need for elite expertise in policymaking; contemporary debates over international security, energy, health, information technology, and economic competitiveness. Recommended: POLISCI 2.
Terms: Win | Units: 3-4
Instructors: ; Slayton, R. (PI)

PUBLPOL 301A: Microeconomics (IPS 204A)

Microeconomic concepts relevant to decision making. Topics include: competitive market clearing, price discrimination; general equilibrium; risk aversion and sharing, capital market theory, Nash equilibrium; welfare analysis; public choice; externalities and public goods; hidden information and market signaling; moral hazard and incentives; auction theory; game theory; oligopoly; reputation and credibility. Prerequisites: ECON 50 and MATH 51 or equiv.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4
Instructors: ; Bulow, J. (PI)

PUBLPOL 301B: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Evaluation (IPS 204B)

This class provides the economic and institutional background necessary to use "cost-benefit analysis" or CBA to evaluate public policy. We will examine the economic justification for government intervention and apply these concepts in different policy contexts. We will also examine the theoretical foundations and the practical challenges of implementing CBA. The goal of the course is to provide you with the conceptual foundations and practical skills you will need to be thoughtful consumers or producers of CBA.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5

PUBLPOL 302A: Introduction to American Law (AMSTUD 179, POLISCI 122)

For undergraduates. The structure of the American legal system including the courts; American legal culture; the legal profession and its social role; the scope and reach of the legal system; the background and impact of legal regulation; criminal justice; civil rights and civil liberties; and the relationship between the American legal system and American society in general.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3-5

PUBLPOL 302B: Economic Analysis of Law

(Same as LAW 528 .) This course will provide a broad overview of the scholarly field known as "law and economics." The focus will be on how legal rules and institutions can correct market failures. We will discuss the economic function of contracts and, when contracts fail or are not feasible, the role of legal remedies to resolve disputes. We will also discuss at some length the choice between encouraging private parties to initiate legal actions to correct externalities and governmental actors, such as regulatory authorities. Extensive attention will be given to the economics of litigation, and to how private incentives to bring lawsuits differs from the social value of litigation. The economic motive to commit crimes, and the optimal governmental response to crime, will be studied in depth. Specific topics within the preceding broad themes include: the Coase Theorem; the tradeoff between the certainty and severity of punishment; the choice between ex ante and ex post sanctions; negligence versus strict liability; property rules; remedies for breach of contract; and the American rule versus the English rule for allocating litigation costs. Because this course is taught jointly with Law 528 in the Law School, it will not be mathematically oriented; there are no prerequisites to take the course.
Terms: Win | Units: 4

PUBLPOL 303B: Political Methodology II (POLISCI 350B)

Understanding and using the linear regression model in a social-science context: properties of the least squares estimator; inference and hypothesis testing; assessing model fit; presenting results for publication; consequences and diagnosis of departures from model assumptions; outliers and influential observations, graphical techniques for model fitting and checking; interactions among exploratory variables; pooling data; extensions for binary responses.
Terms: Win | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Jackman, S. (PI)

PUBLPOL 303D: Applied Econometrics for Public Policy

This course aims to present the theory and practice of empirical research in economics with particular emphasis on topics relating to public policy questions. We will start with a quick re-cap of basic probability theory and statistics, then move on to basic regression analysis and introduce the statistical software STATA. The course will put a substantial amount of effort on work with STATA in analyzing actual data sets, reproducing and criticizing results in scientific research and learning the actual practice of econometrics. The final part of the course will focus on the identification of causal effects and the various econometric techniques available to learn about causality. While this is primarily a methodology module, most examples and applications will be drawn from the area of public policy.
Terms: Win | Units: 4-5
Instructors: ; Seiler, S. (PI); Diaz, S. (GP)

PUBLPOL 304A: Collective Action: Ethics and Policy (ETHICSOC 180M, PHIL 73)

Individually rational actions can give rise to results that are collectively irrational. For example, the collective result of our consumption decisions is to warm the planet, destroy the world's fisheries, and increase reliance on factory farming; at the same time, the decisions of a single individual seem to have no tangible effect on such things. In light of this, what (if anything) are you as an individual required to do in these and other collective action situations, especially when others are not doing their part to prevent things from getting out of control? For example, are you required to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid products that are produced in ethically objectionable ways? Do you have a duty to vote? Is free-riding always ethically objectionable? Can you be required to 'cooperate' in a situation where you know that most others will 'defect'? Finally, from a real-world policy perspective, how can we bring about the best solutions to these and other collective action problems? Is the best policy response always a straightforward function of the variable features of each case? Interdisciplinary readings from authors in philosophy, politics, economics, and law such as Elinor Ostrom, Peter Singer, and Cass Sunstein. No background will be assumed and no mathematical work will be required. The course will include a module led by an award-winning designer in which students will design table top games that can be used to teach the dynamics of collective action to high school students.
Terms: Spr | Units: 3-5 | UG Reqs: GER:EC-EthicReas, WAY-ER
Instructors: ; Budolfson, M. (PI)

PUBLPOL 305A: Judgment and Decision Making (IPS 207A)

(Same as LAW 333.) Introduction to problem framing and problem solving. Theories and research on heuristics and biases in human inference, judgment, and decision making. Experimental and theoretical work in prospect theory emphasizing loss and risk aversion. Challenges that psychology offers to the rationalist expected utility model; attempts to meet this challenge through integration with modern behavioral economics. Decision making biases and phenomena of special relevance to public policy such as group polarization, group think, and collective action.
Terms: Spr | Units: 4-5
Instructors: ; Brest, P. (PI)

PUBLPOL 306: Writing and Rhetoric for Policy Audiences

This course offers hands-on learning of effective writing and presentation techniques for audiences that include policy makers, decision and stake-holders, interest groups, the media, and the public. Class time will be spent learning lessons in rhetoric, reviewing different written genres (op-ed, report, memo), editing and peer review using large screens and laptops, as well as analyzing and practicing presentations (PPT, elevator pitch, radio broadcast, board meeting). Sources include policy briefings, memos, model videos, rhetoric handouts, style manual. Students will write and make oral and multimedia arguments, individually and in teams; students will also be responsible for peer review, introducing speakers, and moderating discussions at the colloquia. Enrollment limited. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Terms: Win | Units: 4

PUBLPOL 307: Justice (ETHICSOC 171, IPS 208, PHIL 171, PHIL 271, POLISCI 3P, POLISCI 136S, POLISCI 336S, PUBLPOL 103C)

Focus is on the ideal of a just society, and the place of liberty and equality in it, in light of contemporary theories of justice and political controversies. Topics include financing schools and elections, regulating markets, discriminating against people with disabilities, and enforcing sexual morality. Counts as Writing in the Major for PoliSci majors.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4-5

PUBLPOL 308: Political Analysis for Public Policymakers

Policymakers in the United States, whether elected or unelected, operate in a governmental system where politics pervades nearly every element of their daily activity. This course provides students with both the theory and real-world examples they need to understand and evaluate the impact of politics, political institutions, and the political process on policymaking. Readings will include selections from the public policy, political science, legal, and economics literatures.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4
Instructors: ; Chen, L. (PI); Frisby, T. (PI)

PUBLPOL 309: Practicum

Applied policy exercises in various fields. Multidisciplinary student teams apply skills to a contemporary problem in a major policy exercise with a public sector client such as a government agency. Problem analysis, interaction with the client and experts, and presentations. Emphasis is on effective written and oral communication to lay audiences of recommendations based on policy analysis.
Terms: Aut, Win | Units: 1-10 | Repeatable for credit
Instructors: ; Nation, J. (PI)

PUBLPOL 310: Master of Arts Thesis

Restricted to students writing a master's thesis in Public Policy. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-5 | Repeatable 1 times (up to 5 units total)

PUBLPOL 311: Public Policy Colloquium

Weekly colloquia speaker series required for M.P.P. and M.A. in Public Policy students. Themes vary each quarter.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr | Units: 1 | Repeatable 4 times (up to 4 units total)

PUBLPOL 315: Practical Training

Qualified Public Policy students obtain employment in a relevant research or industrial activity to enhance their professional experience consistent with their degree programs. Prior to enrolling students must get internship approved by the Public Policy Program. At the start of the quarter, students must submit a one page statement showing the relevance of the employment to the degree program along with an offer letter. At the end of the quarter, a three page final report must be supplied documenting work done and relevance to degree program. Meets the requirements for Curricular Practical Training for students on F-1 visas. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-5 | Repeatable for credit

PUBLPOL 317: Comparing Institutional Forms: Public, Private, and Nonprofit (EDUC 377, GSBGEN 346, SOC 377)

For students interested in the nonprofit sector, those in the joint Business and Education program, and for Public Policy MA students. The focus is on the missions, functions, and capabilities of nonprofit, public, and private organizations, and the managerial challenges inherent in the different sectors. Focus is on sectors with significant competition among institutional forms, including health care, social services, the arts, and education. Sources include scholarly articles, cases, and historical materials.
Last offered: Spring 2012 | Units: 4

PUBLPOL 353: Science and Technology Policy

How U.S. and international political institutions and processes govern science and technology, the roles of scientists, engineers, and physicians in creating and implementing policies, and how these processes shape specific mission areas (economic growth, health, environment, information technology, international security). Assignments: analyzing the politics of particular legislative outcomes, assessing options for trying to reach a policy objective, and preparing mock memos and testimony.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3-4
Instructors: ; Slayton, R. (PI)

PUBLPOL 354: Economics of Innovation (ECON 113)

The modern, knowledge-based economy characterized by: rapid innovation; a dramatic increase in the rate of production of information and decline in the cost of producing it; and pervasive network externalities or increasing returns to scale. Emphasis is on the role of patents and alternative mechanisms for creating incentives for firms to innovate. Topics include: why there may be too much innovative activity; how patent laws may slow rather than help innovation; and the interaction between public and private sector innovation. Prerequisites: 51,102B.
Terms: Spr | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Moser, P. (PI); Biasi, B. (GP)

PUBLPOL 364: The Future of Finance (ECON 152, ECON 252, STATS 238)

(Same as LAW 564). This interdisciplinary course will survey the current landscape of the global markets as the world continues to progress through the financial crisis. We will discuss the sweeping change underway at the policy level by regulators and legislators around the world as well as the strategic discussions, which will include guest-lecturer perspectives on how affairs may change as a result and where the greatest opportunities exist for students entering the world of finance today. The course will also review, in a non-technical way, the basics of the financial derivatives and other quantitative techniques that are a core part of the global capital markets. The subject matter, by necessity, is multi-disciplinary and the course is particularly suited to those students having an interest in finance-based careers, entering legal, regulatory or public policy positions related to finance or studying the evolution of modern financial markets. Elements used in grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Final Paper. Consent Application: To apply for this course, students must complete and e-mail the Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar's Office website (see Registration and Selection of Classes for Stanford Law Students) to the instructors. See Consent Application Form for submission deadline.
Terms: Win, Spr | Units: 2
Instructors: ; Beder, T. (PI)

PUBLPOL 413R: The National Environmental Policy Act:  Pushing the Reset Button

(Same as LAW 413R). This policy lab will focus on recommendations for the reform and modernization of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)  -- the granddaddy of our environmental laws.  NEPA is a disclosure statute which requires that before federal officials can issue a permit, commit federal funds, or otherwise take an action that may have a significant impact on the environment, decision-makers must have the opportunity to review an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences of the proposed action and its alternatives.  Many critics from both the right and left are dissatisfied with the way that NEPA and its state analogues are being implemented, prompting some legislators to advocate statutory overrides and agency officials to expand the use of categorical exemptions.  Meanwhile, NEPA proponents are interested in making the environmental review process more user-friendly and efficient, while preserving its core disclosure requirements.  In this policy lab, students will review, analyze, and develop positions on potential NEPA reform options.  Students will interact with NEPA experts at the White House's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and produce work product that CEQ can use as it responds to Congressional and outside pressure to reform the NEPA process.  Students may normally receive no more than four units for a Policy Lab practicum and no more than a total of eight units of Policy Lab practicums and Directed Research projects combined may be counted toward graduation unless additional units for graduation are approved in advanced by the Petitions Committee. A student cannot receive a letter grade for more than eight units of independent research (Policy Lab practicum, Directed Research, Senior Thesis, and/or Research Track). Any units taken in excess of eight will be graded on a mandatory pass basis.  Elements used in grading:  Class Participation, Attendance, Final Paper.  Consent Application: To apply for this course, students must complete and e-mail the Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar's Office website (see Registration and Selection of Classes for Stanford Law Students) to the instructors. See Consent Application Form for submission deadline.
Terms: Spr | Units: 2
Instructors: ; Hayes, D. (PI)

PUBLPOL 801: TGR Project

Instructor and program consent required prior to enrollment.
Terms: Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 0

PUBLPOL 121: Policy and Climate Change

Science and economics, including recent findings. History and evolution of local, state, regional, national, and international policy. California's recent landmark climate change bill. Future policy prospects, emphasizing national and international levels.
| Units: 4-5

PUBLPOL 125: Law and Public Policy

Do ¿Super PACs¿ and corporate lobbying corrupt democratic elections? Do Democratic and Republican economic proposals hold up to scrutiny? Can a state prevent you from buying and carrying a gun? How would Martin Luther King analyze American society, public policy and racial discourse had he lived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ¿I Have A Dream¿ speech this year? This seminar investigates the relationship between law and public policy on issues related to economic regulation, electoral politics and finance, civil rights, sexuality and culture. We will explore how law both facilitates and constrains public policy reforms in historical context and our own era of challenging budgetary pressures, intensive political division, and increasing socio-economic inequality. Class discussion will involve the close reading and interpretation of judicial opinions, legislation and other legal texts, interdisciplinary scholarship, and film.
| Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci

PUBLPOL 128: International Problem-Solving Through NGOs: Policy, Players, Strategies, and Ethics (INTNLREL 128B, PUBLPOL 228)

This course will focus on advanced international problem-solving through the lens of international NGOs, while integrating other relevant players that address global issues within a lens of ethics and accountability. Particular aspects of NGOs that will be assessed are: policy, business, strategy, and engagement with other players. Students will consider the major issues that international NGOs face in their effort to effect positive change in an increasingly complex global environment. The course draws heavily on a series of sophisticated case studies involving a variety of NGOs, areas of specialization, and geographic regions. Topics may include: poverty and famine; the natural resources curse; terrorism; HIV/Aids and other epidemics and neglected diseases; natural disasters and emergencies; climate change; and contagion of unethical behavior. A final project tailored to each student's interest will be in lieu of a final exam. Students will have the opportunity to work with several internationally prominent guests.
| Units: 2

PUBLPOL 144: Giving 2.0: Philanthropy by Design

Seminar and practicum. Students drive an actual $10,000 philanthropic process and design their own social change strategy. Topics: strategic planning, nonprofit assessment and site visits, innovative social change models, and leadership development. Speakers include philanthropic leaders and social entrepreneurs. Class activities: group grant assessments and selection, creative problem solving, and decision-making simulations. Individual project: Social Impact Strategic Plan. Must attend first class; limited enrollment. Recommended: PUBPOL 183.
| Units: 4

PUBLPOL 155: Disruption for Good- Technology, Innovation and Philanthropy

A new breed of technologies and nonprofits are driving unprecedented innovation in how we create, deliver and measure social change. Innovative models and technology's extraordinary potential to transform billions of individual lives. Topics: social network campaigns, mobile platforms and international development, apps for good, crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, creative swarms, nonprofit evaluators, and new generation corporate philanthropy. Readings: articles, blogs, studies, book chapters and websites. Guest speakers include technology, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders. Individual Project: "Unusual Suspects" Technology Innovators interviews and paper. Must attend first class; limited enrollment.
| Units: 2

PUBLPOL 170: Political Corruption (PUBLPOL 270)

Sources and effects of political corruption in the United States, with focus on potential solutions. Perspectives include political contribution and lobbying laws, rational and passionate collective action incentives, welfare effects of congressional control of the administrative state, voter behavior, agency theory, and the role of competition among politicians and interest groups. Grading based on participation and term paper. Enrollment is limited to 15 students and permission of the instructor required. Email bruceowen@stanford.edu
| Units: 2

PUBLPOL 183: Philanthropy and Social Innovation

Philanthropic innovation, action and social transformation in the 21st century. Topics: individual giving; philanthropic landscape and models; foundation mission and infrastructure; philanthropic strategy and grantmaking; accountability and knowledge management; global, venture and corporate philanthropy; public policy and advocacy. Readings: business school cases and industry articles. Guest speakers include individual donors and foundation presidents. Class activities: case discussions, role-plays, breakouts, and debates. Individual project: $10 million Foundation Business Plan. Must attend first class; limited enrollment.
| Units: 4 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci

PUBLPOL 228: International Problem-Solving Through NGOs: Policy, Players, Strategies, and Ethics (INTNLREL 128B, PUBLPOL 128)

This course will focus on advanced international problem-solving through the lens of international NGOs, while integrating other relevant players that address global issues within a lens of ethics and accountability. Particular aspects of NGOs that will be assessed are: policy, business, strategy, and engagement with other players. Students will consider the major issues that international NGOs face in their effort to effect positive change in an increasingly complex global environment. The course draws heavily on a series of sophisticated case studies involving a variety of NGOs, areas of specialization, and geographic regions. Topics may include: poverty and famine; the natural resources curse; terrorism; HIV/Aids and other epidemics and neglected diseases; natural disasters and emergencies; climate change; and contagion of unethical behavior. A final project tailored to each student's interest will be in lieu of a final exam. Students will have the opportunity to work with several internationally prominent guests.
| Units: 2

PUBLPOL 236: Law and Public Policy: Issues in Implementation

(Same as LAW 636). This seminar will focus on issues related to achieving successful implementation of the goals of legislation. It is widely recognized that the goals of legislation often are not realized and that the failure frequently rests in breakdowns in the implementation process by the agencies and organizations charged with implementing the legislation. In response to problems in implementation, the institutional context of public policy implementation is changing. One category of innovations, known by names such as "management-based regulation" and "evidence-based" social service delivery, gives broad discretion to street-level service providers but subjects them to intensive monitoring and disciplined performance comparison. Another category applies market concepts to regulation or social services, for example, by creating tradeable rights (e.g., pollution allowances) or vouchers (for schools, housing, or healthcare). These, and other, new approaches are affecting both the contours of public law doctrine and the nature of lawyering in the public sector. Lawyers in the public sector are increasingly drawing on skills of institutional design and monitoring of the kind associated with private sector transactional practice. The seminar will examine some of the emerging general themes of innovative policy implementation and look at a range of case studies. Topics will include the conditions under which financial and other rewards and sanctions are useful in bringing about desired behaviors, the pluses and minuses of the creation of markets as alternatives to government run programs, and efforts at improving implementation by improving management activities. Examples will be taken from both regulation and social services, and are likely to include environmental protection, education, child protective services, healthcare. food and workplace safety, nuclear power safety, and regulation of financial institutions.
| Units: 3

PUBLPOL 240: Designing the Way Up: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in America through Innovative Early Intervention

Conventional efforts to fight poverty are not working - it remains an intractable social problem. This class will address one aspect that is gaining increased attention from policy-makers: the connection between adverse childhood experiences and poverty in later life. We will partner with a nationally-recognised pediatric clinic and advocacy organisation, the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco. Focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of toxic childhood stress, students will help design solutions that can be spread and scaled across the US. This is a complex area that is ripe for design thinking - and one that has tough constraints. We want students who are generally staying at a high-level policy perspective in their other classes to grapple with the challenges of manifesting designs that can have practical and real-world impact in helping children break out of the cycle of poverty. Previous d.school experience is valued but not required.
| Units: 3-4

PUBLPOL 270: Political Corruption (PUBLPOL 170)

Sources and effects of political corruption in the United States, with focus on potential solutions. Perspectives include political contribution and lobbying laws, rational and passionate collective action incentives, welfare effects of congressional control of the administrative state, voter behavior, agency theory, and the role of competition among politicians and interest groups. Grading based on participation and term paper. Enrollment is limited to 15 students and permission of the instructor required. Email bruceowen@stanford.edu
| Units: 2

PUBLPOL 303C: Bayesian Statistics and Econometrics

(Same as LAW 243.) Linear and nonlinear regression, covariance structures, panel data, qualitative variable models, nonparametric and semiparametric methods, time series, Bayesian model averaging and variable selection. It explores Bayesian methodology including Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, hierarchical models, model checking, mixture models, empirical Bayes approaches, approximations, and computational issues and gives some attention to foundations. Prerequisite: graduate-level econometrics or equivalent.
| Units: 5

PUBLPOL 305B: Public Policy and Social Psychology: Implications and Applications (IPS 207B, PSYCH 216)

Theories, insights, and concerns of social psychology relevant to how people perceive issues, events, and each other, and links between beliefs and individual and collective behavior. Topics include: situationist and subjectivist traditions of applied and theoretical social psychology; social comparison, dissonance, and attribution theories; social identity, stereotyping, racism, and sources of intergroup conflict and misunderstanding; challenges to universality assumptions regarding human motivation, emotion, and perception of self and others; the problem of producing individual and collective changes in norms and behavior.
| Units: 4

PUBLPOL 309X: Public Policy Research Project

Supervised research internship. Individual students perform policy research for outside client, applying analytical skills from core curriculum. Requires permission of program director.
| Units: 1-10 | Repeatable 2 times (up to 10 units total)

PUBLPOL 313: Issues in Science Policy

Lecture series on significant issues in science and technology policy. Guest speakers will discuss issues including but not limited to: who should make science policy, educational dimension of science policy, manufacturing and science policy, California's stem cell policy, immigration and science policy, and the role of industry in science policy.
| Units: 1

PUBLPOL 347D: Rebooting Government with Design Thinking (POLISCI 347D)

Students apply tools of human-centered design to issues of government performance. Small project teams work with NGO and government partners (in the U.S. and abroad) on concrete design challenges focused on issues such as how to deliver services more effectively and ensure that citizens¿ voices are heard. Students identify needs, generate concepts, create prototypes, and test their appropriateness. Taught through the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (http://dschool.stanford.edu). Enrollment limited. Application required. Prerequisites: consent of instructor(s).
| Units: 3-4
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