Public Policy Program’s Fall 2024 Core Courses

PUPOL 100: Introduction to Public Policy
PUPOL 100 is an interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to basic concepts in policy studies. It is taught by faculty from different disciplines. It will acquaint students with public policy as a field of study, the basic elements of the policy-making process, and a variety of approaches for applying distinct modes of analysis (political, economic, demographic, statistical, qualitative, normative). In addition to a textbook and select articles that have defined the field, the course uses practical case studies that address a range of policy problems. This course is open to students who declare the Public Policy Minor.

Section 1: Tuesday, 11:00am-1:45pm with Joyce Miller
Section 2: Thursday, 1:00pm-3:45pm with Elizabeth Marcello

Public Policy Program’s Fall 2024 Electives

URBS 4031B: Public Policy in New York City

This course will count towards the following concentrations: Urban Policy, Economic Development, Environmental Policy, Immigration Policy, Social Welfare Policy

This course will examine the governmental and societal processes for addressing major public policy problems and issues in America’s largest urban centers, with an emphasis on the New York City context. Discussions will encompass the economic, social, and political context as well as how cities function within the American federal system. The course will explore a range of urban policy areas drawn from New York City’s current challenges, including economic change; economic development and urban planning; state and local budgeting and tax policy; income polarization and the role of local policy levers in addressing polarization; housing; public safety; immigration; urban regeneration; transportation; and poverty, welfare, work, and work supports.

Monday, 1:00-3:45 PM with Elizabeth Marcello

GEOG 38325: Energy Policy

This course will count towards the following concentrations: Urban Policy, Health Policy, Environmental Policy, and Energy Policy

Energy use is required for the organization, maintenance, and development of societies.  At the same time, our use of fossil fuel energy sources has led to a series of challenges, including air pollution, resource depletion and climate change.  This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students seeking an introduction to the challenges associated with energy use and potential policies for a low-carbon, clean and lasting energy future.  We focus on the connections between energy use, climate change and air pollution.  After identifying and describing energy trends, climate dynamics and general US policies, students are presented with specific sectoral policies from around the world, whose main goal is to create low carbon energy systems, but have co-benefits to other policies areas, including air quality. The class is run twice a week in lecture fashion but requires significant student participation.

Tuesday/Friday, 2:30pm-3:45pm with Peter Marcotullio

SOC 3251P: Criminal Justice and Public Policy

This course will count towards the following concentrations: Urban Policy, Health Policy, Social Welfare Policy, Law and Public Policy

This course introduces students to the criminal justice system and policy-related issues within the United States, generally, and New York, specifically. For the last half century, the United States criminal justice system expanded exponentially. Therefore, this course will take an in-depth examination into the policies that have created the largest prison system in the world and the various ways punishment and justice are instituted. This course is broken into the following areas: (1) History of punishment; (2) Policing; (3) The Courts; (4) Corrections; (5) Reentry; and (6) Reform & Abolition. Drawing from various scholarly articles, policy reports, books, print media, film, and guest speakers, students will have a chance to enhance their knowledge of the criminal justice system and the various stakeholders that govern and determine policies which impact contemporary society.

Monday/Thursday, 11:30-12:45pm with Jackelyn Mariano