Analyses of controversial issues in public policy

  Issue papers are short analyses of controversial issues in public policy. Issue Papers provide you with practical experience in critically analyzing policy issues and preparing concise, yet thorough, summaries for busy policymakers. Each student will select a unique public policy issue for the analysis and explain the policy issue using one of the analytic models/theories (Political Systems, Rational Choice, Elite, Group, etc.) The issues may be primarily federal, state or local, but should have broad appeal. In other words, an issue that is entirely specific to your employer or locality would not be appropriate for this assignment.