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Public Policy OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Undergraduate Introductory Class on Public Policy

Published Feb 28, 2009

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MIT offers an OpenCourseWare version of its course 'Fundamentals of Public Policy.' Part of the urban studies and planning division, this undergraduate course studies how policy makers from different sides of issues come to make their recommendations.

Fundamentals of Public Policy: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Undergraduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Fundamentals of Public Policy: Course Description

Professors David Laws and Steve Meyer team up to address the various factors involved in policy-making. The course studies policy-making as a way to solve problems through political action. Laws and Meyer begin by introducing a public dilemma so students understand the process before they move on to analyze each part of the process. Students examine how a problem, once identified, is perceived by groups on both sides. Different models of policy-making are reviewed. Students are guided to answer major questions, such as 'How does a problem become a public problem (and needs a legislative solution?) and others are never noticed?' or 'Are public policies actually needed or do they achieve something useful?'

Study materials, such as lecture notes, writing assignments and a detailed reading list, are included in the online course. To learn more about basic public policy, visit the course page.

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