Public Policy
Introduction to the Major
Faculty members talk about what you can learn and what makes this major special.
Mission Statement
"Major in making a difference" is our mission statement. While Public Policy has its roots in Political Science--recognizing that all policy ultimately comes at the end of a political calculus--the field has evolved into a modern, interdisciplinary, and applied social science. Today, Public Policy actively draws upon and collaborates with a wide range of disciplines, depending upon the student`s area of interest, including Public Administration, Complex Systems, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Development Studies, Peace and Regional Studies, Education, Social Work, Economics, Legal and Justice Studies, Information Science, Medicine and Healthcare, Psychology, Physics, and other fields focused on the provision of public goods and policymaking.
- By grounding students in rigorously tested hypotheses, theories, and practices of public policy and policy studies, we aim to educate individuals who can identify policy issues at local, regional, national, and international levels through empirical inquiry, analytical reasoning, and constructive thinking.
- We aim to cultivate responsible global citizens who have competent skills in analyzing policy issues and can comprehend the policy processes of planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Learning Goals
- Students will gain an understanding of basic concepts and theories in policy studies, as well as the approaches, frameworks, and practical applications in related academic fields. The key guiding principle is that all our findings are tentative and subject to critical analysis and revision.
- Students will develop their ability to identify and analyze policy issues on the local, regional, national, and international levels, and critically think about how to solve them.
- Students will acquire broad views and understanding needed for realizing a peaceful and democratic society, as well as skills in dealing with public issues in communities, government institutions, international organizations, or NGOs.