All students must prepare a short (6-7 pages, typed) public policy research memo on an issue of your choice analyzing a policy problem. In the paper, students must research a policy problem, explain the major characteristics of the problem, identify the major actors and their interests, and propose a solution that considers the tradeoffs and political pressures that are likely to emerge. The paper is worth 15% of your final grade and is due at the end of the semester. Possible topics could include ways to reduce the achievement gap between white and minority students. Another possible topic could be to examine suggestions that can increase upward mobility for families.
A policy memo is a practical and professionally written document that can vary in length from one page to over one hundred pages. It provides analysis and/or recommendations directed to a predetermined audience regarding a specific situation or topic. A well-written policy memo reflects attention to the research problem. It is well organized and structured in a clear and concise style that assumes the reader possesses limited knowledge of, as well as little time to conduct research about, the issue of concern. There is no thesis statement or overall theoretical framework underpinning the document; the focus is on describing one or more specific policy recommendations and their supporting action items.
Davis, Jennifer. Guide to Writing Effective Policy Memos. MIT OpenCourseWare, Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Planning in Developing Countries, Spring 2004; Pennock, Andrew. “The Case for Using Policy Writing in Undergraduate Political Science Courses.” PS: Political Science and Politics 44 (January 2011): 141-146.
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