PSCI 316 Public Policymaking in the U.S. (Not offered 1998-99; to be offered 1999-2000)

When Clinton was elected in 1992, he vowed that united control of government would bring policy change. When Republicans took control of the House and Senate after the 1994 elections, they proclaimed they would pass a revolution. But what really happened? What leads to policy change, and what inhibits it? In this course, we will examine the making of public policy in the United States. We will discuss how problems get defined as public problems worthy of government attention, and the kinds of solutions that are seriously considered by policymakers. Through several case studies, we will consider the ability of the U.S. to adopt comprehensive policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions adopted.
Requirements: weekly 1-page discussion paper, two short papers, and a research paper. Prerequisite: Political Science 110 or another course in U.S. politics. Enrollment limited to 20. American Politics Subfield

C. JOHNSON