Courses - Spring 2027
PLCY
Public Policy
PLCY100
Foundations of Public Policy
A survey course, focusing on public policy institutions and analytical issues as well as on overview of key public policy problems. Students will be introduced to public policy as a discipline, with a brief overview of the actors and institutions involved in the process, and familiarize themselves with the kinds of problems typically requiring public action. The course will examine these problems from a multijurisdictional and multisectoral perspective. Specific policy areas examined include education policy, health policy, economic and budgetary policy, criminal justice policy, environmental policy, and national and homeland security policy. The course should permit students to have broad foundational exposure to the field that will give them a solid base for more advanced courses.
PLCY170
War, Peace, and Crisis: The Dynamics of Global and Foreign Policy
Cross-listed with: GFPL100.
Credit only granted for: GFPL100, PLCY170, or PLCY288P.
What can we do about the recurrence of wars, crises, and other human catastrophes around the world? This course introduces students to enduring theoretical debates over the causes of conflict and cooperation globally and the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers trying to tackle these issues. The course applies core theories, concepts and debates within global and foreign policy to understand and address pressing global challenges including war and peace; human security and migration; as well as development and sustainability.
PLCY172
Global Order and Policy Structures: Power, Access, and Influence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: GFPL102.
Credit only granted for: GFPL102, PLCY288O or PLCY172.
Provides an overview of the key historical and contemporary forces and structures (e.g., the United Nations, decolonization, (de)globalization) defining the context within which global issues play out and foreign policy is conducted. Specific emphasis is placed on the legacy effects of prior policy choices, questions of which actor(s) have more or less influence in global and foreign policy decisions and why, and the importance of considering intended and unintended consequences of a given decision or initiative. This course will count in the new Global and Foreign Policy Major.
PLCY200
Introduction to Research Methods for Policy Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be in the Public Policy major or Global and Foreign Policy major.
Credit only granted for: PLCY200 or PLCY306.
Formerly: PLCY306.
Introduces students to the basic logic, frameworks, concepts, and techniques to conduct research on matters involved in the analysis of public policy problems. Students are exposed to a variety of methods by which researchers explore tradeoffs in and options for policy that inform solutions and the framing of challenges. Along the way, students will engage relevant literature, cases, and episodes that illustrate how different methods and techniques manifest in practice to inform scholarly and policy conversations. Ultimately, the course lays a foundation for future research and policy applications and students emerge from the course able to design a research strategy to address relevant policy questions.
PLCY201
Aims to inspire, teach and engage students in the theory and practice of public leadership from the local to the national to the global level. Students will learn and apply diverse approaches to leadership in a multicultural society while developing an understanding of key frameworks and practices necessary to foster collective action across private, public, and nonprofit sectors. This course will allow students to become informed citizens able to reason critically and persuasively about public matters Students will also explore and assess their own personal values, beliefs, and purpose as they develop their leadership potential.
PLCY203
Liberty and Justice for All: Ethics and Moral Issues in Public Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Students will broaden their understanding of the moral dimensions of public policy as well as their own individual moral perspective. Discussions will include the ideal of a just society, and the place of liberty and equality in it, while focusing on contemporary theories of ethics and justice. It will develop students' appreciation of the ethical challenges unique to the public service sector while building their skills in ethical analysis and decision-making. We will explore the increasing ethical challenges in a world in which technology, global risks, and societal developments are accelerating faster than our understanding can keep pace. A framework for ethical decision-making underpins the course.
PLCY213
Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Through discussions of contemporary trends, challenges and issues, this course provides an introduction to the nonprofit and NGO sectors, social innovation, and the leadership and management skills required to achieve social impact. The course will explore the history, theories, and roles of philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and social innovation in societies and cultures. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the process and principles of social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Additionally, the course will introduce students to topics in leadership, social innovation, resource development, community mobilization through networks, the role of policy-making in creating change, project management, and overall strategies for achieving social impact. The course will include mini hands-on learning experiences that allow them to apply key learning outcomes.
PLCY240
Ethical, Policy and Social Implications of Science and Technology
Cross-listed with: ENES240.
Credit only granted for: ENES240 or PLCY240.
Asks students to think about how society should manage complexity, transformation, and uncertainty with an eye on developing a broader sense of ethics and social responsibility. Introduces analytical frameworks, concepts, and data collection techniques that interdisciplinary scholars use to map relationships among science, technology and society and generate important questions about the future of society.
PLCY288N
Introduction to Public Policy Topics; Social Policy and Societal Change
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
This is an introductory course that spans the breadth of the area of social policy by examining intractable social issues and how policy is used to accomplish societal improvement. Some issues this course may cover are reproductive rights, poverty mitigation, criminal justice reform, healthcare access, educational equity, and immigration.
PLCY300
Governance: Collective Action in the Public Interest
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PLCY100.
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Examination of societal responses to public problems, including actions by government, non-profit and private sector actors, as well as civil society. Students will examine the roles of these various actors, as well as the nature of civic responsibility. The course will examine the various stages of the policy process, asking the following questions: How does something get defined as a problem that requires a public policy response? How do we think about what the options are for this response, and how do we choose among them? What are the factors that contribute to successful policy implementation? How do we evaluate the success of public policies? These questionswill be addressed using examples of current public policy problems, and students will be expected to engage in individual and collaborative work to design responses to those problems.
PLCY301
Sustainability
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: AGNR301.
Credit only granted for: AGNR301 or PLCY301.
Designed for students whose academic majors would be enhanced by the complementary study of a widely shared but hard-to-operationalize aspiration: that present choices should preserve or improve future options rather than foreclose or degrade them. How should we understand sustainability? How might we achieve it? How would we know if we had achieved it? And how could sustainability activists of a rising generation lead by example?
PLCY302
Examining Pluralism in Public Policy
Understanding pluralism and how groups and individuals coexist in society is an essential part of the public policy process. This course will examine the ways in which the diverse experiences of race, gender, ethnicity, class, orientation, identity, and religion impact the understanding of and equitable delivery of public policy. The examination of how identity development shapes our understanding of society and influences the decision-making process is central to students' shaping policy that is truly for the people. This course will equip students with the skills needed to analyze pluralism and draw conclusions about the application of various theories to public policy issues.
PLCY304
Evaluating Evidence: Finding Truth in Numbers
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: STAT100.
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Enables students to understand the research done by others with a sufficiently skeptical eye to allow them to determine whether the findings of the research are valid given the assumptions made and methods used. This will involve, in part, thinking about the various problems in research design or conduct that could lead to faulty conclusions. It will also involve being able to differentiate between credible sources of information and those that are not objective. At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to differentiate objective evidence from political argumentation.
PLCY309
Internship in Public and Nonprofit Institutions
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
PLCY310
Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation in Action
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PLCY 213.
Furthers students understanding of topics in leadership, social innovation, resource development, community mobilization through networks, and the role of policy making in creating change. This course will further students understanding of the creation and leadership of nonprofits, social ventures, governance and boards; strategic planning and partnerships; advocacy and public policy processes; community outreach; working in teams, effective communications, and cross-sector approaches to scaling up social impact.
PLCY313
Advocacy in the American Political System
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Introduces students to the creation of law through the legislative process with a special focus on the Maryland General Assembly.
PLCY372
Foundations of Human Security and Migration
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: GFPL372.
Credit only granted for: GFPL372 or PLCY372.
Today's most pressing problems do not stop at national borders. Meeting these challenges requires a range of state and non-state actors to work together. In this course, students gain familiarity with key actors in the global system and how they approach today's most intractable problems, including violent conflict, human rights, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, migration, trade, climate change and global health. How do countries, international organizations, multinational corporations and nongovernmental organizations find ways to cooperate when their interests, understanding of security, and capabilities sometimes differ drastically? What barriers exist that impede such cooperation?
PLCY380
Credit only granted for: ARHU380, BSOS388B, PLCY388D, or PLCY380.
Formerly: PLCY388D.
Introduces students to the concept of social innovation while exploring the many mechanisms for achieving social impact. It is team-based, highly interactive and dynamic, and provides an opportunity for students to generate solutions to a wide range of problems facing many communities today. Deepens the students understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation practices by guiding them through the creation and implementation process as applied to a project idea of their choice.
PLCY388A
Special Topics in Public Policy; Child and Family Policy Impact
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with FMSC498P. Credit only granted for PLCY388A or FMSC498P.
For poor and low-income families, federal programs such as Medicaid, Child care, SNAP and child nutrition programs are a lifeline every day. Some programs also have policies that consider more than income eligibility, such as number of hours of work, disability, and immigration status. Budget choices have a significant impact on policy intentions. Students will learn about and analyze the major federal programs and federal budgets for these policy areas; understand from data the impact of such programs and policies; and be introduced to significant advocacy effortsand considerations that shaped these policy decisions.
For poor and low-income families, federal programs such as Medicaid, Child care, SNAP and child nutrition programs are a lifeline every day. Some programs also have policies that consider more than income eligibility, such as number of hours of work, disability, and immigration status. Budget choices have a significant impact on policy intentions. Students will learn about and analyze the major federal programs and federal budgets for these policy areas; understand from data the impact of such programs and policies; and be introduced to significant advocacy effortsand considerations that shaped these policy decisions.
PLCY388C
Special Topics in Public Policy; Fundamentals of Cybersecurity for Policy Makers
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Jointly offered with INST467. Credit only granted for PLCY388C or INST467. Students will explore the key issues facing policy makers attempting to manage the problem of cybersecurity from its technical foundationsto domestic and international policy considerations surrounding governance, privacy, risk management, and operational orchestration. It is designed for students with no background in information technology, and will provide the principles to understand the current debates shaping a rapidly evolving security landscape.
PLCY388F
Special Topics in Public Policy; Contemporary Issues Under the Rule of Law
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Considers the impact of contemporary issues and public policy of the Courts through the examination of current issues under deliberation. Students will evaluate and opine on the competing legal and policy arguments in class and in papers as if they were the empowered judicial authority. Issues covered include: constitutional rights; the growth of opinion-based news reporting versus factual news, propaganda and freedom of the press; voter photo ID laws, redistricting and political gerrymandering; continued racial segregation; holding public officials accountable for egregious constitutional violations; regulation of social media; and socioe conomic inequality. The course also provides a broad overview of the ways American courts function as well as interactive speakers and hands on experiences.
PLCY399B
Directed Study in Public Policy; Policy Ambassadors
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
PLCY399R
Directed Study in Public Policy; Independent Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
PLCY399T
Directed Study in Public Policy; Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
PLCY400
Senior Capstone
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: PLCY200 or PLCY306.
Restriction: Permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy; and must have earned a minimum of 90 credits.
Public Policy students will take the skills and knowledge gained through their curriculum and apply them through their senior capstone course. Students will work in teams on problems and issues presented by outside clients, with guidance from faculty facilitators and interaction with the clients. Each team will work with the client to address a particular problem and produce a mutually agreed upon outcome. These hands on projects will advance students' understanding of the analytical, leadership, communication and problem solving skills necessary to address today's policy problems while allowing them to gain professional level experience that could contribute to their success in their post UMD endeavors. The course will conclude with an event that allows all teams to present their findings and outcomes to their client while being evaluated by faculty and public policy professionals.
PLCY401
Making Policy Work: Contemporary Challenges and Solutions
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must have earned a minimum of 90 credits. Public Policy majors or by permission only.
How do we make policies work for an increasingly diverse and dynamic populace? Today's challenges require an understanding of key variables and constraints (e.g., structural, cultural, bureaucratic, administrative) affecting both policy implementation and failure. This course allows students to analyze and evaluate current implementation plans, policies, and projects. Students will have the opportunity to create and propose future recommendations. The course is conducted in a specific policy field, denoted in the section below. It is recommended students take a related elective prior to signing up for this course.
PLCY610
Quantitative Aspects of Public Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY610 or PUAF610.
Formerly: PUAF610.
Introduces statistical methods needed for evaluating and choosing among policy options. Topics include probability; decision-making under uncertainty; the organization, interpretation, and visual display of complex data; prediction and inferences about causality; hypothesis testing; and linear and multiple regression. Develops analytical skills and the ability to apply theory to complex, real-world problems.
PLCY611
Quantitative Analysis of Policy Issues
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY611 or PUAF611.
Formerly: PUAF611.
Study of a series of problems and the development of quantitative techniques to describe or evaluate the problem. The organization and interpretation of complex data and its use for prediction and inference about casual effects. The definition of objectives, trade-offs among objectives, and allocation of resources to meet objectives. Sensitivity of outcomes to changing conditions.
PLCY631
Governance: Leadership, Management and Accountability
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY631 or PLCY688G.
Formerly: PLCY688G.
Emphasizes that regardless of technical specialization, public policy practitioners are required to lead people and organizations, manage resources and processes, and be held accountable for their actions. Provides knowledge, insights, skills, and abilities to successfully participate in and contribute to the policy process and lead and manage in line with democratic norms and values. Shows the need to pursue efficiency, effectiveness, and speed while also prioritizing justice, equity, procedural fairness, and due process. Focuses on the "people" side of organizational life, ethical decision-making, and the ability to communicate effectively.
PLCY640
Microeconomic and Policy Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY640 or PUAF640.
Formerly: PUAF640.
Applies intermediate microeconomic theory to public policy issues: resource allocation by firms and consumers; the response of economic agents to changes in incentives; market allocations in competitive and non-competitive environments; and market failures and government remedies. Uses extended case studies of particular issues in such areas as the environment (acid rain), international trade (tariffs), industry regulation (cable TV), and the provision of public goods (highways).
PLCY641
Macroeconomics and Policy Analysis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY641 or PUAF641.
Formerly: PUAF641.
Studies the behavior of the economy as a whole: the level of national income, unemployment, and inflation; the vulnerability of the U.S. economy to external influences; possible federal influence over the level of economic activity; and the consequences for prices, employment and the U.S. trade deficit. Also examines possible U.S. policy responses to widespread debt crises in developing countries.
PLCY670
Public Budgeting & Financial Management
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLYC670 or PUAF670.
Formerly: PUAF670.
Covers how governments raise, spend, borrow, and manage public funds. Reviews federal,state, and local budget processes and introduces analytical techniques including basic spreadsheet skills, evaluating alternative revenue sources, revenue and expenditure forecasting, cost allocation, capital budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, discounting and present value, bond analysis, cash management and intergovernmental finance.
PLCY680
Examining Social Identity and Pluralism in Public Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY680 or PLCY699D.
Formerly: PLCY699D.
Understanding how groups and individuals develop and coexist in society is an essential part of public policy. Using the classroom as a laboratory, students will explore identity development and how the intersections of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities shape perceptions that inform decision-making and policy development. From historical scholars to current day movement leaders, this course equips students with tools necessary to critically analyze pluralism, power, and identity; and the skills needed to shape meaningful and equitable public policy and working and civic environments for all.
PLCY688F
Topics in Public Policy; State, Local & Non-Profit Financial Management
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY689K
Public Policy Topics; Politics Of Education
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with: TLPL687. Credit only granted for: PLCY689K, TLPL687 or EDPS614.
PLCY689L
Public Policy Topics; Science and Technology Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Jointly offered with PHYS798J. Credit only granted for PLCY689L or PHYS7 98J.
PLCY689X
Public Policy Topics; Performance Management and Leadership
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
For PLCY majors or permission of instructor.
PLCY689Y
Public Policy Topics; Nonprofit Fundraising
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY689Z
Public Policy Topics; Strategic Management for NonProfit and Public Organizations
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY699K
Selected Topics Public Policy; Civil Conflict
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
For PLCY Majors or permission of instructor.
PLCY699R
Selected Topics Public Policy; Critical Thinking and Analytical Methodology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY699Z
Selected Topics Public Policy; Climate and Energy Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY724
Problems of Global Security
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY724 or PUAF724.
Formerly: PUAF698W and PUAF724.
Explores the international security implications of globalization, presenting evidence indicating that altered circumstances will eventually induce a major redesign of prevailing security arrangements. Includes three segments: 1) a review of the principal problems that have been the focus of established security policy and would be the context for any major adjustment of policy; 2) an assessment of relationships with the major countries where traditional problems are most acutely present; and 3) a review of the organizing principles that can be expected to emerge in the new situation.
PLCY744
Environment and Development
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Credit only granted for: PLCY744 or PUAF744.
Formerly: PUAF744.
Analyzes sustainable development and its conflicting interpretations. The dominant view, as expressed in the World Bank's 1992 World Development Report, is studied, along with some critical responses. Further readings on issues of population, consumption and development indicators.
PLCY782
International Development Economics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PUAF698U, PUAF782 or PLCY782.
Formerly: PUAF698U and PUAF782.
Examines key current economic and policy issues for developing and transition economies. Topics include inflation stabilization, fiscal policy, selected trade issues, dealing with international capital flows, the role of multilateral organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and issues relating to saving, investment and growth.
PLCY790
Project Course
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in a major in PLCY-School of Public Policy; or permission of PLCY-School of Public Policy.
Credit only granted for: PLCY790 or PUAF790.
Formerly: PUAF790.
Students work at a sponsoring government agency or private firm researching problem of interest to sponsor and relevant to concentration. Emphasis on problem definition, organizing information, and both oral and written presentation of results.
PLCY798A
Readings in Public Policy
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY798B
Readings in Public Policy
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY798M
Readings in Public Policy; Cooperative Security, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
For PLCY majors or permission of instructor.
PLCY798P
Readings in Public Policy; Data Analysis for Policy Makers
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY798Q
Readings in Public Policy; Independent Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PLCY798R
Readings in Public Policy; Quantitative Research Methods and Public Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Restricted to students in the PhD in Policy Studies program (POSI).
PLCY798W
Readings in Public Policy; Internship
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
PLCY898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg, S-F
PLCY899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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