Public Policy Studies in the College
Requirements
- First Year. During the first or second year, all students must take either (1) one full year of calculus, or (2) two quarters of calculus plus one other mathematically related class. Courses that meet this second requirement include Statistics 22000, econometrics, or any quantitative-oriented computer science classes.
- Second Year. The following three-quarter sequence is required of all students in the program. These courses are usually taken in the student's second year:
- Public Policy 22100. Politics and Policy
- Public Policy 22200. Public Policy Analysis
- Public Policy 22300. Problems of Policy Implementation
- Third* Year. In the third year, students may complete the following courses:
- At least one course in statistics. Students are strongly encouraged to take Statistics 22000, especially if they anticipate taking several economics courses or the more analytical political science courses. Statistics 20000 is an acceptable substitute for Statistics 22000. A second statistics course is recommended. Students should consult with the undergraduate program director for help in selecting appropriate courses from the many statistics courses offered by the University.
- Courses in an area of specialization. Students are required to complete three substantive policy courses that make up a specialization in a public policy field. Students may meet the specialization requirement in one of two ways: (1) by taking three courses that logically connect (for example, courses in urban politics, urban economics, and urban society would count as an urban specialization; or courses in international relations, international finance, and history of the common market might be an international specialty), or (2) by taking three courses beyond the introductory course in one discipline other than public policy. (Common choices here are economics, political science, sociology, and statistics. Two of these courses should be taken in the third year.)
- Research practicum. Students must participate in a two-quarter practicum (Field Research Project, Public Policy 26200-26300. This is a group project that exposes students to real-world policy-making questions. Students are given responsibility for particular aspects of the research project, and the final report integrates the findings. In previous years, practicums have dealt with the employment and housing conditions facing Latinos in metropolitan Chicago, juvenile recidivism, and patterns of racial integration and segregation in the suburbs of Chicago.
*Students planning to do study abroad should plan on taking the research practicum in their 2nd year. Alternatively, students may also complete the practicum in their 4th year of study.
- Fourth Year. Students must write a B.A. paper in the fourth year. Students wishing to graduate with honors should seek a faculty advisor for the project in Spring Quarter of their third year. The instructors of PBPL 29800 serves as the 2nd advisor for the honors B.A. papers and the only advisor for all non-honors B.A. papers.
Further assistance is available in a seminar course (Public Policy 29800) offered in the autumn quarter and required of all public policy students. The seminar informs students about sources and methods of research. During the second half of the course, students offer preliminary statements about the mode of inquiry, sources, and treatment of evidence for their B.A. papers. Students work throughout Winter and Spring quarters with the Public Policy Senior Preceptors revising the B.A. papers. Students may take one or two quarters of Public Policy 29900 (Reading and Research) for general elective credit. These courses receive letter-quality grades.
Courses. Many policy-related courses in political science, economics, sociology, education, and history will count as public policy studies courses.
If you are in doubt about other courses, please consult the undergraduate program director.
Summary of Requirements
| General Education Concentration |
Math 13100-13200 or equivalent |
1 3 1 1 3 2 1 - |
Math 13300 or equivalent PubPol 22100-22200-22300 Econ 20000 or more courses in statistics specialization courses PubPol 26200-26300 (research practicum) PubPol 29800 (senior seminar) Senior Paper |
__ 12 |
It is recommended that students take an additional course in economics (Economics 20100 or Economics 20200).
Grading. Students interested in taking a public policy studies course P/F must obtain consent from James Leitzel (undergraduate program director) and the instructor.
Honors. All seniors are candidates for honors. Students will be recommended for honors if their B.A. papers are of substantial quality and their GPA in the major is 3.25 or higher. Students wishing to graduate with special honors must submit their papers to faculty readers by the beginning of the sixth week of the quarter in which they wish to graduate.
