printer friendly pagePUBLPOL 101: Politics and Public Policy (POLISCI 123, PUBLPOL 201)
How policies come to be formed. How interests compete within public institutions to turn ideas into policies. Examples of this process from contemporary policy areas, including tax, social welfare, and environmental policy; results evaluated using equity and efficiency criteria.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4-5
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI, GER:DB-SocSci
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
Instructors:
Cogan, J. (PI)
;
Rosston, G. (PI)
;
Suarez Serrato, J. (PI)
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Instructors:
Cogan, J. (PI)
;
Rosston, G. (PI)
;
Suarez Serrato, J. (PI)
;
Heil, D. (TA)
;
Sun, T. (TA)
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: Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors:
Boskin, M. (PI)
PUBLPOL 122: Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response (PUBLPOL 222, SURG 222)
This course provides an overview of the most pressing biosecurity issues facing the world today. Guest lecturers this year include 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. The class explores 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); 1-2 additional units (for a maximum of 6 units total) for a research paper.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 2-6
Instructors:
Trounce, M. (PI)
;
Eddy, G. (TA)
PUBLPOL 124: American Political Institutions: Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Courts (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
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI
Instructors:
Bonica, A. (PI)
;
Weingast, B. (PI)
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.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci
Instructors:
Greenberg, J. (PI)
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.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Liautaud, S. (PI)
;
Kent, M. (TA)
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.
Instructors:
Chen, L. (PI)
;
Newman, D. (PI)
PUBLPOL 135: Regional Politics and Decision Making in Silicon Valley
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: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Benest, F. (PI)
;
Hancock, R. (PI)
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.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
Instructors:
Arrillaga, L. (PI)
;
Fink, A. (TA)
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