May 03, 2024  
2011-2012 UMass Dartmouth Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 UMass Dartmouth Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

PST 501 - Theories of Policy Formation

3 credits
Matriculated students must be a graduate student in good standing. Non matriculated students must possess an earned bachelor’s degree. Any exceptions require the permission of one of the following: the course instructor, the graduate program director or the Department Chair. Reviews and analyzes various theories of policy formation, including systems analysis, group theory, elite theory/class analysis, structuralism and the state autonomy/issues network model. The course examines how different theories view the role of citizen participation, political leadership, bureaucratic institutions, interest groups, academic experts, and business in the policy-making process. Provides students with the analytic tools to understand variations in the policy-making process across different issues and policy sectors and the opportunity to develop their own ideas and applications.