POL 294-10/PHL 210-10 Problems in Political Philosophy TTH 11:30am-12:45pm Prof. Benson
Prerequisite: PHL 100, or permission of the instructor.
POL 394 10 SpTp: Parties and Interest Groups
This course examines political parties and interest groups in the United States. Parties and interest groups play a vital role in the functioning of our government. Yet, neither political parties nor interest groups were explicitly established at the founding of our government. The writers of the Constitution feared that these groups would create undue conflict and gridlock. Nevertheless, many of these same writers of the Constitution created political parties a decade after the founding of the republic. Moreover, while many Americans express the same fears as those expressed by the founders, they also identify themselves as either a Democrat or Republican and belong to at least one organized interest group. In this course we will examine the nature of parties and interest groups, why and how they developed, how much influence they have, and the roots of that influence.POL 394 11 SpTp: Public Policy Analysis
This course provides an overview of public policymaking in the United States. We will examine several different theoretical lenses through which we can view the constraints and opportunities that shape the creation of public policy in the U.S. We will also focus on the various actors and institutions that are central to the policymaking process. Finally, we will examine the various stages that characterize the process. The course will enable students to be effective policy analysts by providing them with an enhanced understanding of the public policy making process in the United States. Discussion will be an integral component of the class.POL 494 10 SpTp:Social Welfare Policy
This course will acquaint students with four important contemporary social welfare policy issues: health care, welfare policy, social security, and tobacco control policies. We will briefly cover general topics related to public policy analysis so that our subsequent in-depth exploration will be informed by a general understanding of key concepts and terms. We will investigate the roles various institutions and actors play in resolving these issues. Students should expect to participate in discussion and presentation of work to the class. The course will enable students to write accurate, informed, convincing and concise policy memos.