School of Public Policy 397N - ST-Natural Resource Pol & Admn

This course serves as an introduction to Environmental Policy and Administration in the United States, with a focus on the Federal level. Topics include: (1) Defining a "Public Problem"; (2) understanding what Public Policy is; (3) understanding what Public Administration is; and (4) understanding what Policy Analysis is. Much of the course will be focused on reviewing major historical environmental legislation and policies (e.g., Clean Air, Clean Water; Endangered Species; Superfund; Wind Energy, etc.). We also turn to how to become more engaged in today's environmental issues and public policy, mainly through training on how to track and monitor legislation (Federal or State). A second major project is a team "Digital Policy Brief" where students are encouraged to study an environmental issue that they are passionate about and develop a video product for others in the class to watch as part of the closing "Digital Policy Brief Oscars" event.