Courses & Programs of Study

Program Co-Chairs:

James Leitzel, G-B 222, 702-8555, j-leitzel@uchicago.edu;

Richard P. Taub, J 209, 702-7927, rpt2@uchicago.edu

Program Administrator: Lee Price, G-B 218B, 702-7134, lee@uchicago.edu

Program Preceptors: G-B 218A, 834-9810

Web: www.college.uchicago.edu/Programs/CollegePublicPolicy

Program of Study

Public Policy Studies offers College students an opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary study of domestic and international policy issues. The primary disciplines among the teaching faculty are economics, political science, and sociology. Course work emphasizes the application of these disciplines to real-world policy issues.

The program of study for the B.A. degree in public policy studies is designed to introduce students to policy analysis and implementation, equip them to use quantitative and economic techniques and methods, train them in policy research, and give them a command of at least one particular policy area.

Students may focus their interests on domestic policy concerns or on international or foreign matters. Those interested in domestic issues can assemble an outstanding selection of courses from offerings in political science, economics, and sociology. For example, students can specialize in urban problems, the influence of the labor market, the family, and social attitudes on the status of various income and racial groups. As a further example, students can specialize in policy implementation, taking courses in the economics of public management, organizational decision-making, and complex organizations, among others.

The program also encourages students to have an internship experience either during the academic year or during the summer. PBPL 29600 offers academic course credit for students completing an approved, policy-oriented internship. Students may inquire about internship opportunities and requirements through the program administrator. Students planning to major in public policy should meet with the program administrator by Autumn Quarter of third year.

Program Requirements

The suggested sequence described below is typical, but many other variations are possible. There is flexibility within the program regarding when required courses can be taken.

First Year. During the first or second year, students must take one full year of calculus.

Second Year. The following three-quarter sequence is required of all students in the program. It is usually taken in the second year, but the courses may be taken in any order and taking them in the same year is not required.

PBPL 22100. Politics and Policy

PBPL 22200. Public Policy Analysis

PBPL 22300. Problems of Policy Implementation

Students are also required to take ECON 20000 (The Elements of Economic Analysis I), which is a prerequisite for PBPL 22200. Students are encouraged to take at least one additional economics course; appropriate courses include ECON 20100, 20200, 27000, and 27100.

If they plan to study abroad in Winter or Spring Quarter of their third year, students are strongly urged to complete the required two-quarter practicum (Field Research Project, PBPL 26200-26300) in second year.

Third Year. Most students complete the courses below in their third year:

At least one course in statistics. Students are strongly encouraged to take STAT 22000, especially if they anticipate taking several economics courses or the more analytical political science courses. STAT 20000 is an acceptable substitute for STAT 22000. A second statistics course is recommended. Students should consult with the undergraduate program chair for help in selecting appropriate courses from the many statistics courses offered by the University.

Courses in an area of specialization. Students are required to complete three substantive policy courses that make up a specialization in a public policy field. Students may meet the specialization requirement in one of two ways: (1) by taking three courses that logically connect (e.g., courses in urban politics, urban economics, and urban society would count as an urban specialization; or courses in international relations, international finance, and history of the common market might be an international specialty); or (2) by taking three courses beyond the introductory course in one discipline other than public policy (e.g., economics, political science, sociology, statistics). Two of these courses should be taken in the third year.

Research practicum. In Winter and Spring Quarters, students must participate in a two-quarter practicum (Field Research Project, PBPL 26200-26300). This is a group project that exposes students to real-world policymaking questions. Students work together on designing the research project, gathering information, and analyzing the data as a final project. In previous years, practicums have dealt with the employment and housing conditions facing Latinos in metropolitan Chicago, juvenile recidivism, and patterns of racial integration and segregation in the suburbs of Chicago.

Fourth Year. Students must write a B.A. paper in the fourth year. Ordinarily, the B.A. paper should not be an expansion of the third-year research study. Students wishing to graduate with honors should seek two faculty advisers for the project in Spring Quarter of their third year or early in their fourth year. The instructor of PBPL 29800 serves as adviser for all other B.A. papers.

Further assistance is available in a seminar course (PBPL 29800) offered in Autumn Quarter and required of all public policy students. The seminar informs students about sources and methods of research. During the second half of the course, students offer preliminary statements about the mode of inquiry, sources, and treatment of evidence for their B.A. papers. Students work throughout Winter and Spring Quarters with the Public Policy Senior Preceptors revising the B.A. paper. Students may take as many as two quarters of PBPL 29900 (B.A. Paper Preparation: Public Policy) for general elective credit.

This program may accept a B.A. paper or project used to satisfy the same requirement in another major if certain conditions are met and with the consent of the other program chair. Approval from both program chairs is required. Students should consult with the chairs by the earliest B.A. proposal deadline (or by the end of third year, when neither program publishes a deadline). A consent form, to be signed by both chairs, is available from the College adviser. It must be completed and returned to the College adviser by the end of Autumn Quarter of the student's year of graduation.

Courses. Many policy-related courses in political science, economics, sociology, education, and history count towards the major when used as "specialization" courses.

Summary of Requirements

General MATH 13100-13200 or equivalent*

Education

Major 1 MATH 13300 or equivalent*

3 PBPL 22100-22200-22300

1 ECON 20000

1 course in statistics*

3 courses in an area of specialization

2 PBPL 26200-26300 (research practicum)

1 PBPL 29800 (Senior Seminar)

– B.A. paper

* Credit may be granted by examination.

It is recommended that students take an additional course in economics (ECON 20100 or 20200) and an additional course in statistics.

Grading. All courses counting toward the public policy major must be taken for quality grades unless students have prior approval for P/F grading from the undergraduate program chair.

Honors. All seniors are candidates for honors. Students are recommended for honors if their B.A. papers are of substantial quality and their GPA in the major is 3.25 or higher. Students wishing to graduate with honors must submit the final drafts of their B.A. papers to two faculty readers by the beginning of the sixth week of the quarter in which they wish to graduate.

Faculty

C. Bidwell, D. Coursey, B. Farrell, E. Laumann, J. Leitzel, S. Levitt, R. Lodato,
R. H. Margolis, J. Padgett, H. Richman, D. Snidal, R. Taub, G. Tolley, R. Townsend

Courses: Public Policy Studies (pbpl)

21800. Economics and Environmental Policy. (=ENST 21800, LLSO 26201) PQ: ECON 19800 or higher. For course description, see Environmental Studies. S. Shaikh. Spring.

22000. Environmental Policy. This course takes a detailed look at the differences in environmental policymaking based on the distinctions noted above. We examine how policymaking takes place on both public lands and pollution control issues and in each branch of the federal government. We also take a detailed look at policymaking on pesticides and clean air, and the differential impact of environmental policymaking upon racial minorities. The role of environmental groups in advocating for environmental policies is also examined. R. Lodato. Winter.

22100. Politics and Policy. PQ: PBPL 22100-22200-22300 may be taken in sequence or individually. Public policy choices interact with politics in obvious ways (e.g., elections) but also in subtler ways, turning especially on how organizations work and what governs persuasion and belief. This course surveys some key aspects of these interactions. H. Margolis. Autumn.

22200. Public Policy Analysis. (=ECON 17800) PQ: ECON 20000. Students with ECON 20100 or above not admitted. PBPL 22100-22200-22300 may be taken in sequence or individually. This course reviews and augments the basic tools of microeconomics developed in ECON 20000, and applies these tools to policy problems. We examine situations in which private markets are likely to produce unsatisfactory results, suggesting a potential rationale for government intervention. The goal is to allow students to comprehend, develop, and respond to economics arguments when formulating or evaluating public policy. J. Leitzel. Winter.

22300. Problems of Public Policy Implementation. (=SOCI 30302) PQ: One 20000-level social sciences course. PBPL 22100-22200-22300 may be taken in sequence or individually. Once a governmental policy or program is established, there is the challenge of getting it carried out in ways intended by the policy makers. Obstacles emerge because of problems of hierarchy, competing goals, and cultures of different groups, as well as because of difficulties in achieving complex new patterns of change. We explore how these obstacles emerge and may be overcome particularly between groups; and between creators and those responsible for implementing programs. We also look at varying responses of target populations. R. Taub. Spring.

22500. Environmental Policy and Decision Making. (=ENST 24700, LLSO 28900) For course description, see Environmental Studies. R. Meyers. Winter.

22600. The Environment in U.S. Politics. (=ENST 24100, NCDV 24100) For course description, see Environmental Studies. R. Lodato. Autumn.

23000. Organizational Analysis. (=SOCI 20101/30101) For course description, see Sociology. E. Laumann. Autumn.

23100. Environmental Law. (=ENST 23100, LLSO 23100) PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing, or consent of instructor. For course description, see Environmental Studies. H. L. Henderson. Autumn.

23200. The Economics of Crime. (=ECON 28700) PQ: ECON 20100 required; ECON 21000 or STAT 22000 strongly recommended. For course description, see Economics. S. Levitt. Spring.

23600. Political Sociology. (=ENST 23500, SOCI 20106/30106) PQ: Completion of the general education requirement in social sciences. For course description, see Sociology. T. Clark. Spring.

24101. Public Policy and Wage Inequality. (=ECON 24101) PQ: ECON 20100. For course description, see Economics. D. Neal. Spring.

24300. Global Environmental Politics. (=ENST 24900, NCDV 21100) For course description, see Environmental Studies. M. Arsel. Winter.

24400. Is Development Sustainable? (=BPRO 23400, ENST 24400, HIPS 23400, NCDV 27300) PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing. For course description, see Environmental Studies. T. Steck, M. Arsel. Spring.

24500. Economics of Urban Policies. (=ECON 26600/36500, GEOG 26600/36600, LLSO 26202) PQ: ECON 20100. For course description, see Economics. G. Tolley, D. Barker. Winter.

24600. Inner City Economic Development. (=SOCI 20129/30129) PQ: At least one prior course in economics, political science, public policy, or sociology. This course explores conceptually what the issues are around the economic position of cities in the late twentieth century, and how to think creatively about strategies to generate economic growth that would have positive consequences for low-income residents. We consider Community Development Corporations, empowerment zones, housing projects, and business development plans through credit and technical assistance. R. Taub. Autumn, 2004.

24701. U.S. Environmental Policy. (=ENST 24901, LLSO 24901) Making environmental policy is a diverse and complex process. Environmental advocacy engages different governmental agencies, congressional committees, and courts, depending on the issue. This course examines how such differentiation has affected policymaking over the last several decades. R. Lodato. Winter.

24800. Urban Policy Analysis. (=SOCI 20120/30120) For course description, see Sociology. T. Clark. Autumn, 2005.

25300. Social Welfare in the United States. (=SOSC 25300, SSAD 45001) For course description, see Social Sciences. H. Richman. Spring.

25800. Public Choice. This course is an introduction to major ideas in the literature that seeks to apply the economic notion of rational choice to the context of politics and social choice. Some authors covered are Samuelson, Arrow, Buchanan, Olson, and Downs. H. Margolis. Winter.

26200-26300. Field Research Project in Public Policy I, II. PQ: Open to nonmajors with consent of instructor. Must be taken in sequence for two separate grades, one for each quarter. This is a group project that exposes students to real-world policymaking questions. Students work together on designing the research project, gathering information, and analyzing the data. Practicums have dealt with the employment and housing conditions facing Latinos in metropolitan Chicago, juvenile recidivism, and patterns of racial integration and segregation in the suburbs of Chicago. B. Farrell. Winter, Spring.

27000. Introduction to International Economics. (=ECON 27000) PQ: ECON 20100 and 20200, or consent of instructor. For course description, see Economics. Autumn.

27100. Economies in Transition: China, Russia, and Beyond. (=ECON 27900) PQ: ECON 20000 or consent of instructor. The ongoing postsocialist transitions are examined (particularly those of Russia and China). The basic tool of analysis is the emerging "economics of transition." Various programs of macroeconomic stabilization, price liberalization, and privatization are analyzed, and their effects on inflation, unemployment, and living standards are assessed. We cover issues highlighted in the "post-Washington consensus" (e.g., corporate governance, competition policy, the role of the state). This course is offered in alternate years. J. Leitzel. Winter, 2005.

27200. Policy Reform. (=ECON 27600) PQ: ECON 20000 or PBPL 22200. Policy makers are rarely in a position to design policy on a tabula rasa; rather, there is a preexisting policy in place, and the job of policy makers is to consider amendments to this status quo. Policy reforms exhibit similarities, and these general features can be identified and analyzed. Questions addressed include: What policies are selected for reform? Why are necessary reforms often delayed? What is the basis for frequent claims about the futility of proposed policy reforms? What role does the evasion of existing policies have on policy reform? How, and in what manner, does crisis engender reform? This course is offered in alternate years. J. Leitzel. Winter, 2006.

27300. Regulation of Vice. (=ECON 27300) PQ: ECON 20000. This course concerns government policy with respect to the traditional vices of drinking, smoking, gambling, illicit sex, and the recreational use of drugs. Among the policies considered are prohibition, taxation, treatment, decriminalization, and legalization. The intellectual framework employed to evaluate various policies is primarily economic, though other disciplines are also drawn upon. J. Leitzel. Spring.

27900. Global-Local Politics. (=SOCI 20116/30116) For course description, see Sociology. T. Clark. Winter.

28300. Health Economics and Public Policy. (=ECON 27700, GSBC 85700, PPHA 38300, SSAD 47700) PQ: ECON 20300 and 21000, and consent of instructor. For course description, see Economics. D. Meltzer. Spring.

28600. Problems of Economic Policy in Developing Countries. PQ: ECON 20100 and 20200, or consent of instructor. This course focuses on the application of economic analysis to economic policy issues frequently encountered in developing countries. Topics include sources of economic growth, commercial policy, regional economic integration, inflation and stabilization, fiscal deficits, the choice of an exchange rate regime, and the international debt problem. L. Sjaastad. Spring.

29600. Internship: Public Policy. PQ: Consent of program chair. Open only to public policy students. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Must be taken for a P/F grade. Students must make arrangements with the program chair before beginning the internship. After working for a government agency or not-for-profit organization, students write a paper about the experience. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29700. Reading and Research: Public Policy. PQ: Open only to public policy students. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29800. Senior Seminar. PQ: Open only to public policy students with fourth-year standing. Must be taken for a quality grade. Autumn.

29900. B.A. Paper Preparation: Public Policy. PQ: Open only to public policy students with fourth-year standing. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Autumn, Winter, Spring.