U.S. Public Policy: Social, Economic, and Foreign Policies from edX

Public policy puts laws into action. The executive branch directs the combined activities of the federal government to address a multitude of problems, from the environment to the economy. The policies of the United States affect social issues, economic growth, taxes, regulation, and foreign affairs. This course will take a broad view of public policy in America but will use specific examples, such as the 2008 economic downturn and climate change, to illustrate the wide-ranging effects of those policies.

We’ll address the intersection of religion and politics, and how issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage have played out in the political arena. We’ll discuss fiscal, monetary, welfare and income policy—what they are, what tools they involve, and what political divisions they create. We’ll examine partisan divisions over regulatory policy, and the basis for those divisions. Finally, we’ll trace the evolution of America’s position as a trading nation by examining trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

This course will also serve as an overview of American government, concentrating on overarching tendencies such as its fragmented power structure. The importance of these tendencies will be explained by showing how thoroughly each of them affects American politics.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How religion and politics have been a persistent source of conflict
The nature of u.s. fiscal policy and monetary policy
How america’s welfare policies are distinct from those of other western democracies

The structure and politics of the u.s. tax system
The partisan divisions over regulatory policy and the basis for those divisions
The factors that made america an economic powerhouse

How religion and politics have been a persistent source of conflict
The nature of u.s. fiscal policy and monetary policy
How america’s welfare policies are distinct from those of other western democracies
The structure and politics of the u.s. tax system
The partisan divisions over regulatory policy and the basis for those divisions
The factors that made america an economic powerhouse

Syllabus

Week 1: Social Policy This session will concentrate on the intersection of religion and politics, historically and currently. We will explain how issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage have played out in ways that have aligned religious conservatives with the Republican Party and religious liberals and seculars with the Democratic Party.

Week 2: Fiscal & Monetary Policy This session examines fiscal policy and monetary policy—what they are, what tools they involve, and what political divisions they create. The nature of these policies will be illustrated through several cases, including the policies enacted in response to the economic downturn that began in 2008.

Week 3: Welfare & Income Policy This session will describe and explain these developments, relating them to both the nature of the U.S. economy and the nature of U.S. policy. The structure and politics of the U.S. welfare system and the U.S. tax system will be points of emphasis.

Week 4: Regulatory Policy While emphasizing policy, the session will also address partisan divisions over regulatory policy, and the basis for those divisions. Several cases, most notably the politics and policies of climate change, will be used to illustrate key points.

Week 5: Foreign Policy This session will trace the evolution of America’s position as a trading nation during the post-World War II era, concentrating first on the factors that made America in the immediate post-war period the world’s unquestioned economic power and then on the factors that weakened that position. The session will conclude with an examination of the politics and policies of trade agreements, including adoption in 1993 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the rejection in 2017 of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Week 6: Dynamics of American Politics This session will serve as an overview of the course, concentrating on major tendencies within the American system, such as its fragmented power structure. The importance of these tendencies will be explained by showing how thoroughly each of them affects American politics. The purpose of this session is to reinforce and clarify the “lessons learned” during the course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers social policy through a lens of the intersection of religion and politics, emphasizing current and historical dynamics

Examines fiscal and monetary policy, explaining the concepts and tools involved, and their impacts

Explores welfare and income policies, delving into their distinctions with other Western democracies

Analyzes regulatory policy, exploring partisan divisions and their basis through relevant case studies

Investigates the evolution of America's position as a trading nation, examining factors contributing to its economic status and trade agreements

Provides an overview of American government, highlighting overarching tendencies like its fragmented power structure

Reviews summary

Adequate overview of policy

According to students, this course provides a decent overview of the core concepts of public policy, though some learners found the coursework to be dry and the exams to be challenging. Others appreciated the flexibility and broad range of topics covered.

Course offers flexibility for learners

Course provides overview of public policy

"I think this Course improve my knowlage in any field"

"This Course is most important for any graduation And master's"

Assignments can be dry and exams are difficult

"I think this Course improve my knowlage in any field .This Course is most important for any graduation And master's ."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in U.S. Public Policy: Social, Economic, and Foreign Policies with these activities:

Review Financial Accounting Basics

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Sharpen your financial accounting skills and ensure you have a solid foundation for this course.

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Review key accounting concepts such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, and expenses.
Go through examples of financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.

Solve Fiscal Policy Practice Problems

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Enhance your understanding of fiscal policy by working through practice problems.

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Use economic models to analyze the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth, inflation, and unemployment.

Create a Mind Map of Welfare Policies

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Visualize and organize your understanding of welfare policies by creating a mind map.

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Identify the main categories of welfare policies.
Research and list the specific programs within each category.
Connect the programs to show their relationships and how they work together.

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Explore Case Studies on Regulatory Policy

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Gain insights into the real-world implications of regulatory policy by studying case studies.

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Find case studies that illustrate different aspects of regulatory policy.
Analyze the case studies to identify the objectives, strategies, and outcomes of the regulations.
Discuss the implications of the case studies for public policy and business practices.

Read 'The Power of American Foreign Policy'

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Deepen your understanding of American foreign policy by delving into this insightful book.

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Read the book thoroughly, paying attention to the author's analysis and perspectives.
Identify the key arguments and evidence presented in the book.
Compare the author's views with other perspectives on American foreign policy.

Attend a Workshop on the Dynamics of American Politics

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Engage with experts and fellow students to explore the complex dynamics of American politics.

Browse courses on American Politics

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Find and register for a workshop on the dynamics of American politics.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and activities.
Reflect on the insights gained from the workshop and apply them to your understanding of the course material.

Compile a Resource List on Public Policy

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Gather and organize valuable resources to enhance your understanding of public policy.

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Search for and identify relevant resources such as articles, books, websites, and videos.
Organize the resources into categories to facilitate easy access.
Share the resource list with your classmates to contribute to collaborative learning.

Seek Mentorship from a Public Policy Expert

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Connect with a mentor to gain personalized guidance, insights, and support throughout your learning journey.

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Identify potential mentors with expertise in public policy.
Reach out to your identified mentors and request their guidance.
Establish regular communication and engage in meaningful discussions to gain valuable insights and perspectives.

Career center

Learners who complete U.S. Public Policy: Social, Economic, and Foreign Policies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Policy Analyst

Public policy analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, think tanks, and non-profit organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful public policy analyst, including how to research and analyze policy issues, how to write and present policy briefs, and how to communicate your findings to policymakers and the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Legislator

Legislators make laws and policies that govern our society. They work at the local, state, and federal levels. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful legislator, including how to research and analyze policy issues, how to build relationships with constituents, and how to communicate your message effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legislator

Government Relations Manager

Government relations managers are responsible for managing relationships between their organizations and government agencies. They work to influence public policy decisions that affect their organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful government relations manager, including how to research and analyze policy issues, how to build relationships with policymakers, and how to communicate your message effectively.

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Lobbyist

Lobbyists play a key role in shaping public policy. Their job is to advocate for the interests of their clients, which can include businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be an effective lobbyist, including how to research and analyze policy issues, how to build relationships with policymakers, and how to communicate your message effectively.

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Political Consultant

Political consultants help candidates and political organizations win elections. They develop and implement campaign strategies, raise money, and manage public relations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful political consultant, including how to research and analyze political issues, how to develop and implement campaign strategies, and how to communicate your message effectively.

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Policy Advisor

Policy advisors provide advice to policymakers on a variety of issues, including social, economic, and foreign policy. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, think tanks, and non-profit organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful policy advisor, including how to research and analyze policy issues, how to write and present policy briefs, and how to communicate your findings to policymakers and the public.

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Diplomat

Diplomats represent their countries abroad. They work to build relationships with other countries and to promote their country's interests. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful diplomat, including how to research and analyze foreign policy issues, how to negotiate with other countries, and how to communicate your message effectively.

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Community Organizer

Community organizers work to build and empower communities to address social and economic problems. They work with residents, businesses, and government agencies to create change. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful community organizer, including how to research and analyze community needs, how to build relationships with community members, and how to advocate for change.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

Nonprofit program managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that serve the public good. They work for a variety of organizations, including social service agencies, educational institutions, and environmental groups. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful nonprofit program manager, including how to research and analyze social problems, how to develop and implement effective programs, and how to evaluate the impact of your work.

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International Development Specialist

International development specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. They work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and international organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful international development specialist, including how to research and analyze development issues, how to design and implement development programs, and how to evaluate the impact of your work.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. They work for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful journalist, including how to research and analyze information, how to write clearly and concisely, and how to communicate your findings to the public.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. They work in a variety of practice areas, including criminal law, civil law, and corporate law. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful lawyer, including how to research and analyze legal issues, how to write and argue legal briefs, and how to communicate your findings to clients and judges.

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Economist

Economists study how people make decisions in the face of scarcity. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, government, and business. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful economist, including how to research and analyze economic data, how to build and test economic models, and how to communicate your findings to policymakers and the public.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects, including social studies, English, math, and science. They work in a variety of settings, including public schools, private schools, and charter schools. This course will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful teacher, including how to plan and deliver lessons, how to assess student learning, and how to create a positive learning environment.

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Social Worker

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