Public Policy
PPOL 408. Studies in Public Policy (4F)
This 400-level seminar represents a capstone experience for students majoring or taking courses in public policy. Its focus may change depending upon the instructor or students’ interests. Topics may include federal, state, or local public policy, comparative public policy, or international policy, as well as specific areas such as the environment, health, social welfare, or taxation policy. Students majoring in public policy may fulfill the senior experience requirement with this course. This course is cross-listed as POSC 408. “Studies in Public Policy” and may be used to meet the senior experience requirement in political science as well.
PPOL 493/494. St. Mary’s Project in Public Policy (1-8E)
The St. Mary’s Project in public policy is a two-semester experience. The project, which may take many forms, draws on and extends knowledge, skills of analysis, and creative achievement developed through previous academic work. During the first semester a student initiates his or her project, identifies an area to be explored, and proposes a method of inquiry appropriate to the topic. A faculty mentor supervises the project research. Students will complete the project in the second semester under the direction of the faculty mentor. The project should demonstrate the student’s ability to undertake research in an area of public policy, to analyze the patterns of interaction among the political actors as appropriate, and to present the results of the research to the College community in a cogent and meaningful manner. Eight credit hours of this course satisfy the requirement for a St. Mary’s Project. With the approval of the public policy coordinator, this requirement may be satisfied by completing eight credit hours of the St. Mary’s Project in any discipline or cross-disciplinary study area.