PSYC 280 - Science and Policy

Planned Offering: Spring 2017
Credits: 4

Students in this course adopt the role of consultants for a hypothetical legislator who must make a decision on a matter of public policy. A clear understanding of the scientific background and consequences of the policy must inform the legislator’s decision. Each student works as a part of the consulting team and creates a document on a narrow aspect of the science related to the public policy. The policy being evaluated changes each term. Examples include: funding for mental health care, enactment or suspension of motorcycle helmet laws, establishing or abolishing court awards for mental suffering, and similar topics. Topic for Spring 2017: Mental Health and Gun Violence. Students examine and offer advice on issues related to gun violence and mental health. This is a controversial and complex issue currently receiving attention in Congress. After their own explorations and discussions of this issue and hearing from several experts on this topic, students prepare a white paper with their recommendations for public policy. Lorig.