Course Description
Analysis of public policy in the United States, recognizing the broader social and economic impacts that selected policies at all levels of government inflict on consumers. Students will develop an understanding of how and why specific policies are implemented, as well as assess the strengths and weaknesses of different policy structures from a consumer well-being standpoint.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will complete a policy-related research
proposal. Also, they must read an advanced policy book (either a
classic or a new book recognized by policy professionals as
significant to the field). Students will be required to complete a
written report or mini class lecture to undergraduates on this
policy book.
Athena Title
Consumer Policy
Prerequisite
FHCE 3150 or FHCE 3150E or HACE 3150 or HACE 3150E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain the reasons for policy interventions and differentiate between political, moral, or economic (e.g., market failures) justifications for government involvement. 2. Describe the formal (e.g., government institutions) and informal (e.g., public opinion, interest groups) actors in consumer policymaking. 3. Understand the roles and effects of politics, political systems, separation of powers, and federalism in the consumer policymaking process. 4. Explain the generic steps of consumer policymaking and/or analysis: a. identifying and documenting consumer problems, b. selecting optimal policy instruments, c. formulating and adopting evaluative criteria (e.g., effectiveness, economic efficiency, risk minimization, ethics), d. comparing alternatives, drawing conclusions and implementing policy solutions. 5. Identify and understand the policy-related resources available to consumers. 6. Discuss the current issues and controversies in the U.S. consumer and public policy (e.g., fiscal policy, health care, welfare and social security, education policy, environment protection). 7. Effectively communicate policy ideas and arguments.
Topical Outline
1. Rationale for consumer policy, conditions leading to market failures, limitations of markets. 2. Government institutions and policy actors, federalism, separation of powers. 3. Selected theories of politics and policymaking (e.g., Policy Process Model, Elite Theory, Institutional Theory, Rational Choice, Political Systems Theory). 4. Theoretical tools of consumer policy analysis: constrained utility maximization, market equilibrium analysis, consumer welfare. 5. Instruments of public policy (regulation, redistribution, government management, consumer education). 6. Criteria of policy evaluation (e.g., effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility, equity, ethics). 7. Current issues and controversies in consumer policy (e.g., budgetary policy, health care, social security, education policy, environment protection).
Syllabus