Public Policy

Addressing the global challenges posed by a changing environment, natural resource depletion, and increased demands on food, water, and energy resources is one of the defining tasks of the 21st century. The specialization in Environmental Sustainability helps students understand the relevant policy making challenges as governments and non-state actors alike face the causes and consequences of global climate change.  Public Policy students engage these questions from an interdisciplinary perspective and may take courses from multiple disciplines; including public policy, international studies, geography, and environmental science.

The position of the United States and its role in the international system are key concerns both within the United States and around the world.  How the US engages state and non-state actors outside the United States in pursuit of its policy goals and interests sits at the heart of US Foreign Policy.   Public Policy students pursuing this specialization will critically examine the history of US foreign policy, its creation via Congress and the President and fits current record of success and failures.  Courses in this specialization may be drawn from Public Policy, International Studies, or Political Science.

The United States is a large and highly variable country in terms of both the breadth of policy making actors at every level of government and the contentious politics of the current age.  Students specializing in US  Domestic Policy will engage the policy making process at the city, state and national level, preparing them for careers in policy making and policy advocacy. Courses in this specialization may be drawn from Public Policy, International Studies, Political Science, or other social science disciplines.

The legal system is an important component of the policy process at every level of interaction between citizens and government.  Government is tasked with both creating and enforcing law while the legal system sits as the arbiter of any disagreement among the various actors impacted by the policy making process.  Students in this specialization will learn how policy and the legal system are interconnected, preparing them to begin careers in policy, law enforcement, and the legal system in general.  Courses in this specialization may be drawn from Public Policy, International Studies, Political Science, Criminology or other social science disciplines.

Students may choose three courses in a single policy area in which they develop an expertise.  Examples might include Health Policy, Urban Policy, National Security Policy, etc.  Students who choose the custom track must clear their choices in a single policy area with their Korbel advisor.  Courses in this specialization may be drawn from Public Policy, International Studies, Political Science, Criminology or other social science disciplines.