Formerly known as Strategic Planning, this course introduces students to the public policy process and its key institutions and actors (such as legislative bodies, chief executives, administrative agencies, courts, interest groups, advocacy coalitions, and the media). Emphasizes key parameters of public policy formulation (agenda setting, policy formulation and design, implementation, evaluation) and theories of policy change. Students will be able to differentiate policy types and tools, effectively use evidence in shaping public policy, and will appreciate the importance of context (social, economic, political, and technological) in developing effective policies.