LAW 444

Thinking Like a Policy Analyst: Introduction to Policy Analysis

Law School

Recommended for route(s):

[ Regulatory & Policy ] Business Law: Venture/Entrepreneurship

General course Description:

This seminar is designed primarily for students working on Policy Lab projects, but will be open to other students as well subject to a total enrollment of 15 students. It will be offered both the Autumn and Winter quarters during 2013-14, with any individual student eligible to enroll only in one quarter. The seminar has three purposes. First, it surveys skills and bodies of knowledge useful for a variety of work and career in policy analysis with the goal of introducing students to the perspective of a policy analyst, which differs in some significant ways from that of a lawyer. These include framing problems, designing and evaluating strategies, cost-benefit analysis, decision making under uncertainty, decision heuristics and biases, and methods for influencing people's behavior ranging from incentives and penalties to "nudges." Second, it introduces students to communicating with policy makers orally and in writing. In addition to class sessions on the subject, Ms. Herman will be available to consult with individual students. Third, we will devote a portion of the seminar to "grand rounds," in which students engaged in various Policy Lab projects will discuss policy issues encountered in their work for mutual learning. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, three short reflection papers. To apply for this course, students must complete and e-mail the Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar¿s Office website at http://www.law.stanford.edu/school/offices/registrar/#registration_and_s....

Course Style: An Experiential course is one in which students undertake tasks derived from or akin to those done by practicing lawyers.

Course Frequency: Offered twice a year

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