DeCal PP98/198 Courses

Are you interested in creating and facilitating your own course?

If so, Public Policy can sponsor your DeCal course. DeCal (Democratic Education at Cal) offers a unique opportunity to undergraduate students to create and lead a course focused on a public policy topics of their own choosing. Under faculty supervision, students will design a semester-long course, and facilitate the investigation of their chosen topic.

**Only Public Policy minor students are eligible to create and facilitate a DeCal course at the Goldman School. If there are multiple facilitators, at least one must be a declared minor student.

Public Policy 98/198 DeCal Course in Public Policy (1-3 units)  --  Steps to Develop your DeCal Course

1. Do your research. Your first task is to familiarize yourself with the requirements. DeCal website and Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training & Resources (UCFTR) are great resources to get you started.
2. Secure a GSPP Faculty Sponsor. DeCal facilitator(s) must secure a GSPP faculty member who will serve as the Instructor of Record/Faculty sponsor for the course.
   • The faculty sponsor must write a letter of support explaining their role in the DeCal course. More information can be found on the Academic Senate page.
3. Complete the Course Proposal Packet. Make sure to read and address the requirements of each page, including the Unit Value Calculator (pg. 2). The facilitator(s) and the faculty sponsor must sign this document before submission. The GSPP Course Scheduler will obtain the signature of the Dean for the final GSPP-level approval.
4. Develop a Course Syllabus. A detailed syllabus addresses the key learning outcomes, student expectations, weekly readings/activities, and submission deadlines. It is a contract between the DeCal facilitator(s) and the students. Additional resources are available at the website of Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training & Resources (UCFTR).
5. Meet with the GSPP Course Scheduler. For NEW DeCal course and/or having a NEW facilitator on board, please schedule a meeting with the GSPP Course Scheduler at least a week before the GSPP deadline.
6. Submit the Paperwork. Submit a complete packet to the GSPP Course Scheduler by the appropriate deadlines. A complete packet must include all of the following components:
   • Course Proposal Form, signed by both the faculty sponsor and the student facilitator(s).
   • Unit Value Worksheet
   • Letter of Support from the Faculty Sponsor
   • A Copy of your Course Syllabus
   • NEW: Proof of Completion of UCFTR training
7. Contact the GSPP Course Scheduler. The GSPP Course Scheduler will prepare your class for enrollment. Send an email to gsppscheduler@berkeley.edu with the scheduling details for the course, such as preferred days, times to offer the class, and room space. DeCal courses use campus space so we adhere to their guidelines and policy.
8. HR Affiliate Form. A DocuSign will be initiated by the GSPP Course Scheduler after the submission of the DeCal application. 

Submission Deadlines

GSPP has an earlier deadline than the Academic Senate to ensure the completeness of the documents and the necessary signatures are obtained. Late submission and/or incomplete packets will not be considered.

• For Fall DeCal Classes, the packet must be submitted via email by June 15th.
• For Spring DeCal Classes, please submit the paperwork via email by October 25th. 

Once the facilitator receives the signed CPF document, the student facilitator is responsible in submitting the signed packet to the Academic Senate Portal.

Student Facilitator Enrollment Information

DeCal facilitator(s) can earn Public Policy 199 as teaching credit. Facilitator(s) can enroll up to the unit value of the course they are teaching.

To receive Public Policy 199 credits, please submit the completed form the Approval Form for Independent Study to gsppscheduler@berkeley.edu during the second week of instruction to avoid late fees. 

Evaluation Information

Course evaluations are required for all student facilitators that will be distributed online by GSPP's IT team.