Public Health 490S - Public Policy/Citizen Action

This course explores how to see the ways that public policy forms a critical part of the context for all of our social life, and how to consider when that policy should be changed. With this critical perspective, it goes on to explore how policy is created and shaped at the local, state, and national levels, and how citizens can impact the policy process to address their concerns and work toward the common good. One area to receive special attention is public funding for the public good: how public needs are addressed (or fail to be addressed) through the distribution of public funds (i.e. our taxes). As individuals or as part of a team, you will each identify a specific public policy issue that arises out of your service experience, research it, and advocate for a specific policy outcome.