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Programs Offered

University of California
Public Policy and International Affairs (UCPPIA)

Courses/Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into three areas of study: Policy Analysis (domestic and international), Economics, and Quantitative Methods.

• Policy Analysis
  The Policy Analysis and International Affairs course aims to introduce students to the field of policy analysis, to provide guidance on writing to inform the policy process, to provide intensive feedback on writing skills in general, and to provide guidelines and practice in presenting briefings to inform the policy process. In addition, students will learn the fundamental skills of reading case law, analyzing judicial decisions, and discussing relevant policy topics within a legal framework. The course provides an introductory framework for policy and legal analysis, followed by week-long domestic and international policy modules.
  
  Policy Topics have included:
  Education, Criminal Sentencing, International Human Rights, Immigration, Redistricting, Energy and Environmental Policy, Child Care, and Housing and Community Development.
• Economics
  Economic Policy Analysis course is an introduction to economic concepts and application of those concepts to the analysis of different policy issues. The course is taught using basic college algebra. Past topics have included: Consumer Choice; Ricardian Model of International Trade; Demand Supply; Elasticity and Ramsey Pricing; Efficiency and Deadweight Loss. Students with more extensive backgrounds in economic and statistical studies have studied: Consumer Preferences and Choice, Mathematical derivations of optimal/chosen bundle and demand curves, Income Transfer Programs, and analysis of effects of living wage laws.
• Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
  The Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis course offers a basic introduction to quantitative methods commonly used in policy analysis. Students learn hands-on how to perform data analyses and statistical tests, both by hand and with the aid of SPSS, a commonly used statistical software application. Students also learn the ways in which conclusions may or may not be drawn from such analyses and tests. The course focuses on applications to real policy situations, including: Aspects of measurement, including reliability, validity, and bias, Measures of central tendency and dispersion, Data presentation, SPSS, Random variables, probability distributions, and the Central Limit Theorem, Hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, t-tests, regression analysis, and Study design.

Enrichment

To enhance the skill-based learning experience, participants will:

• Receive a complete course in GRE or LSAT preparation;
• Attend career development workshops, including a policy graduate school fair;
• Enjoy a series of guest speakers in the fields of public and international affairs, as well as public interest law;
• Participate in field trips geared toward introducing participants to the different aspects of policymaking and lawyering and the various careers associated with these fields;
• Partake in extracurricular activities intended to create a foundation for successful group dynamics among UCPPIA faculty, staff and fellow participants.

updated: 08/24/2007