Formulating Policy: Strategies and Systems of Policymaking

At A Glance

Course Overview

This special studies practicum is organized as a complement to an online introductory policy course that includes didactic sessions, and weekly live talks. The didactic and interactive class components introduce students to the theories, structures, and skills that define the policy formulation process. The practicum is intended to complement the course by providing students with an opportunity to apply the content they learn about in the course to address a policy need of a partner organization.

Students will apply the class lessons and skills to service-learning experiences that are responsive to the policy needs of partner organizations. Students will work in small teams (3-5 people) on the project from late October thru December of 2024.

This course will focus on a pre-identified policy need by the organization. As a part of this course, the community-based organization will be expected to identify a policy need and a project for the students to complete that will address that need. The project and the course will provide students with the opportunity to:

1.    Critically assess factors that affect whether issues move onto the policy agenda and what solutions are adopted by stakeholders and why;
2.    Identify policy options to address social problems and discern how different options align with stakeholder interests;
3.    Produce policy documents (written testimony, policy memo, summary of available evidence) about a policy issue that reflects a partner’s position and is responsive to their needs;
4.    Work effectively as a part of a team to address a partner organization’s policy needs; and
5.    Practice effective partnering that can be applied to future public health initiatives.

Partnering CBOs would be requested to:

• Identify a specific policy priority and organizational need related to that policy priority for the students’ service-learning project.
• Provide a contact person who has basic knowledge about the policy initiative and the ability to oversee the students’ project throughout the 8-week course.
• Meet (virtually or in-person) with students at least three times during the term (October 25 – December 22, 2023).
  • First meeting: introduce the organization and staff; explain the selected policy topic and project; identify document(s) and materials for the group to review; and answer student questions
  • Second meeting: discuss a draft of the policy document(s) provided by the students; provide feedback to the students
  • Third meeting: review the final policy document(s) and complete a reflective evaluation with the student group.
  • NOTE: In past years, some student groups and participating CBOs chose to set up weekly meetings throughout the course. More touchpoints are welcome! 
• Arrange a time to meet with the course instructor and/or TA about the organization’s history and mission, and to discuss course and project objectives.
• Be available to answer follow up questions that students might have regarding the project.
• Participate with the students in reflective activities. 
• Organize a debriefing meeting with organization staff and clients who contributed to the student projects- provide students with feedback and allow students to provide a summary of the project.
• If possible, attend the final class presentation via Zoom. 

Product/Deliverable

The partner CBO will receive one or more products from the students (who are supervised by a JHSPH faculty member) that address a policy need identified by the partner organization. The partner organization will serve as the “client” in this relationship and direct the type of policy document(s) produced by the students, as well as provide input about the content and formatting of the students’ product(s). 

Students will be required to provide both a written and an oral policy product that is responsive to the partner organization’s position on their selected policy topic as a part of the academic portion of their course. This product could include a policy memo, a written testimony reflecting the organization’s position, and/or a policy pitch. 

Past Project Examples

• Zoning laws and community gardens: Students reviewed City zoning laws to assess the barriers to establishing community gardens and developed a set of recommendations for how to address the identified challenges.
• School-based mental health services: Students created a white paper that explained the current policy in Baltimore City Public Schools, described current unmet need, and recommend policy changes
• Survivor rights legislation review: Students reviewed current policies in other states with respect to human trafficking and survivor rights laws. After reviewing legislation in other states, students developed a report with recommendations about policy changes in Maryland, and relevant educational materials