PPOG 530 Domestic Policy

This course is a survey of U.S. domestic policy. It will focus on domestic public policy-making at the national level, beginning with the processes, institutions and actors engaged in the creation, advocacy, development, enactment, and implementation of domestic policy, and followed by a discussion of several contemporary public policy issues.

How do major, transformative changes in Domestic policy take place? Why do some big Domestic policy reforms succeed while others fail or languish for decades? Major Domestic policy changes often begin in the orderly world of analysis, however, many end in the messy world of partisan politics. For a new initiative to succeed, it has to coincide with a political climate and a leadership capacity that allows the proponents to overcome the natural resistance to change.

Who contributes to making Domestic policy? The range of influences is broad, from all degrees on the political spectrum. This course will provide a Judeo-Christian perspective on Domestic policy-making and that of different groups, organizations, and coalitions including the influence of Christianity. Domestic policy by definition are those administrative decisions that government makes or fails to make which are directly related to all issues and activity within a nation’s borders. Domestic policy covers many areas including business, education, defense, security, energy, healthcare, law enforcement, money and taxes, natural resources, social welfare, and personal rights and freedoms. Domestic policy differs from foreign policy in that it is the way a government advances its interests internally rather than on the world stage.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 350–500 words in current APA format and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The student must reply to at least 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 300 words in current APA format.

Essay Assignments (2)

The student will be required to submit 2 Essay Assignments written in current APA format. Both essays must cite appropriate grad-level sources and contain a title page and bibliography. The Essay: Political Beliefs and Behavior Assignment will require at least 7 sources and have a 750–1,000-word body. The Essay: Climate Change Assignment must cite at least 7 sources and have a 750–1,000-word body.

Research Paper Assignments (2)

The student will be required to submit 2 Research Paper Assignments written in current APA format. Both papers must cite appropriate grad-level sources and contain a title page and bibliography. The Research Paper: Second Amendment Assignment will require at least 7 sources and have a minimum 1,000-word body. The Research Paper: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Assignment must cite at least 10 sources and have a 1,500–1,750-word body.

Reflection Paper Assignment

The student will write a Reflection Paper that summarizes and reflects on the subject of Domestic Policy, what it is, what are past and current examples, and present a vision of the future. This paper must be 4-5 pages in length and is an opportunity for the student to waltz through a philosophical look at the Domestic Policy landscape. The paper must follow current APA format.