Public Policy Studies in the College
Public Policy Studies' Paris Program
Comparative Policy and the Winter Quarter in Paris
How should the financial well-being of senior citizens be maintained? How should the telecommunications system be organized? Should marijuana possession be a cause for arrest? Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry? To what extent should transfer payments be made available to the unemployed? Should military service be compulsory? How should donated livers or kidneys be distributed among potential recipients?
Every nation faces these and many other difficult questions across the whole range of policy areas. In making their choices, nations can be guided by international experience. Comparative public policy research informs policy dilemmas by identifying and using the insights from the myriad of strategies adopted by different countries.
Students interested in Comparative Policy now have the opportunity to study in the heart of Europe. Each year during the Winter quarter, the newly-completed University of Chicago Paris Center focuses on the social sciences. The European Union and the approaches taken towards policy questions within Europe provide the main theme of the Winter quarter courses in Paris. Declared or potential Public Policy concentrators, especially those who are interested in comparative policy, are encouraged to spend a Winter Quarter in Paris.
Many students will want to coordinate their European experience with their overall concentration curriculum, perhaps by choosing Comparative Policy as their Area of Specialization. The Paris courses cross-listed by Public Policy would count towards such a specialization, as would courses on the Hyde Park campus that contain a significant comparative component. In addition, students wishing to pursue a Comparative Policy Area of Specialization should write a BA thesis employing comparative policy research. Students might also consider trying to arrange an internship involving comparative policy.
The demands of the Public Policy concentration are such that most students should consider the Winter Quarter in Paris for their second year. This requires applying for the program during the spring of the first year. Alternatively, students might want to consider taking the Practicum sequence in Hyde Park in their second year. In any event, any student who intends to both study abroad and to concentrate in public policy should begin planning quite early, at least no later than the autumn quarter of their second year.
Paris Center Undergraduate Programs
