printer friendly pagePUBLPOL 101: Politics and Public Policy (POLISCI 123, PUBLPOL 201)
American political institutions (the Presidency, Congress, and the Court) and political processes (the formation of political attitudes and voting) have for some time now been criticized as inadequate to the task of making modern public policy. Against the backdrop of American culture and political history we examine how public policy has been and is being made. We use theories from Political Science and Economics to assess the state of the American system and the policy making process. We use case studies and lectures to analyze contemporary issues including environmental policy, taxes and spending , gun control , economic growth and inequality and mobility. In some of these issue areas we use comparative data from other countries to see how the U.S. is doing relative to other countries. In addition to class room lecture and discussion, student groups are formed to analyze policy issues of relevance to them. (This course has merged with Political Science 2.)
Terms: Win
| Units: 4-5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI
Instructors:
Brady, D. (PI)
;
Cain, B. (PI)
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)
This course explores the role of law in promoting economic welfare. Law has many meanings and many aspects, but some version of it is essential to cooperative human interaction and thus to civilization itself. Cooperation often is a positive-sum or welfare-enhancing activity, while competition among individuals, in contrast, is often zero- or negative-sum. Law, among its other functions, can serve as a mechanism to harmonize private incentives to achieve cooperative gains, to maintain an equitable division of those gains, and to deter "cheating." Economic analysis of law focuses on the welfare-enhancing incentive effects of law and law enforcement and on law's role in reducing the risks of cooperation by setting expectations of "what courts or the state will do" in various contingencies. Prerequisite:
Econ 50.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4-5
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI
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: 1-5
| Repeatable
for credit
PUBLPOL 133: Political Power in American Cities (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 143: Finance and Society for non-MBAs (ECON 143)
This interdisciplinary course will discuss the role of the financial system in the economy and its interactions with different parts of society. The course will introduce basic finance concepts, cover the basic economic principles essential for understanding the role of finance in the economy, provide an overview of the different institutions in the system, and discuss of policy issues around financial regulation. Topics to be discussed include: the basics of financial decisions and markets; from micro finance to global mega-banks: how and why finance can benefit society as well as endanger and harm; financial regulation: why and how; other people¿s money: the challenge of effective control, governance, and trust; the politics of banking and finance. Prerequisite:
Econ 1
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
Instructors:
Admati, A. (PI)
PUBLPOL 146: Policy, Politics, and the Presidency: Understanding the 2016 Campaign from Start to Finish (POLISCI 72, PUBLPOL 246)
In 2016, Americans will once again go to the polls to select a new president. But what will actually happen behind-the-scenes between now and then is largely a mystery to most. This course will introduce students to the nuts-and-bolts of a presidential campaign. Each week, we will explore a different topic related to running for the presidency -- policy formation, communications, grassroots strategy, digital outreach, campaign finance -- and feature high-profile guest speakers who have served in senior roles on both Democratic and Republican campaigns. Students, guests, and faculty will also participate in discussions on how these topics will relate to the 2016 presidential contest, which will begin in earnest over the course of the quarter.
Terms: Win
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Cain, B. (PI)
;
Chen, L. (PI)
;
Ginsberg, B. (PI)
...
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Instructors:
Cain, B. (PI)
;
Chen, L. (PI)
;
Ginsberg, B. (PI)
;
Flamm, S. (TA)
;
Silberstein, B. (TA)
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 and federal laws, media, and research organizations. Case studies involving budgets, education, pensions, health care, political reform, environmental reforms, water, transportation and more. Evaluation of political actions, both inside and outside of government, that can affect outcomes. Enrollment limited to 20 students. One day trip to Sacramento.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI
PUBLPOL 168: Global Organizations: Managing Diversity (PUBLPOL 268, SOC 168, SOC 268)
Analytical tools derived from the social sciences to analyze global organizations, strategies, and the tradeoffs between different designs of organizations. Focus is on tribal mentality and how to design effective organizations for policy implementation within and across institutional settings. Recommended:
PUBLPOL 102, MS&E 180,
SOC 160,
ECON 149, or
MGTECON 330.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-EDP
Instructors:
Meyersson Milgrom, E. (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)
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