Learning Goals

Knowledge

• Understand linkages among policy, programs, projects, and people (i.e., primary target groups, secondary target groups, and those affected by unintended consequences of policies)

• Understand the intertwining roles of actors from government, the private sector, and civil society in solving complex challenges

• Understand contested development paradigms, theories, and practices

• Understand why wicked problems exist, obstacles to their solution, and the trade-offs embedded in proposed policy responses

Specific Abilities

• Effectively engage in all facets of the policy process (i.e., problem definition; policy research; goal setting; policy option generation; preferred option selection; policy implementation; and policy evaluation)

• Build networks and partnerships with diverse actors to meet policy-related goals and optimally address complex problems

• Communicate and negotiate effectively with diverse, multicultural stakeholder groups to achieve policy-related goals

• Appropriately use a variety of social science research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, to inform policy-related decisions

• Apply concepts and theories drawn from economics to policy-related decision-making to lead individuals, teams, and social change organizations (SCOs)

General Skills

• Systemic planning to achieve policy-related goals

• Political and power analysis

• Research using primary and secondary sources

• Data generation and analysis (quantitative and qualitative)

• Critical self-reflection

• Evidence-based decision making

• Application of lessons learned and preferred professional practices to all facets of the policy process

• Collaborative, productive engagement with colleagues and stakeholders