V182 Comparative and International Policy

Sections 7937 & 11161

Instructor: Dr. Susan Siena, Teaching Professor

In Person Class Meeting: 

Section7937 M/W 9:35-10:50 a.m. in SPEA
Section  11161 M/W 12:45-2 p.m. in SPEA

Course Description:

In this course you’ll learn about the fields of comparative and international policy.  The first part explores how and why governments around the world make policy choices and how these choices affect their citizens. The second part introduces you to how governments work together with other actors to solve global problems.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, you will be able to do the following:

1. Compare the national-level policy-making process in the U.S. to several other countries with different governmental systems, political philosophies, political cultures, and/or policy actors, including various forms of democratic and authoritarian governments. 
2. Explain how these different systems produce different policy outputs, considering issues such as accountability, transparency, and corruption. 
3. Explain why government is needed to make policy, describing several rationales (examples include: to respond to market failures, to improve efficiency, to address equity, to meet political interests, etc.).
4. Illustrate one or more policy challenges that transcend national boundaries, including at least one global policy problem, as well as proposed solutions. 
5. Identify major organizations and other mechanisms for making, implementing, and enforcing international policy.
6. Illustrate how public and nonprofit sector organizations engage and interact in international policymaking and implementation. 
7. Illustrate major differences in the policy problems facing the developed and developing world; explain the significance of these different challenges for national and international policymaking. 
8. Demonstrate knowledge of current events related to our course material.

 Gen Ed Learning Outcomes:

This course meets the Social Historical component of IU’s general education requirements.  At the end of the course, you’ll be able to

• demonstrate knowledge of human cultures based on an understanding of history, social situations, and social institutions
• demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively
• demonstrate skills of inquiry and analysis
• demonstrate intercultural and/or civic knowledge

Required Texts and Materials: 

• Our text is a compilation of readings that I have selected for you: Policymaking Around the World: A Collection of Readings for V182-Siena (Sage: 2024).
• Some required articles & videos will be posted separately on Canvas.
• You will be required to read a free newsletter on international news called GlobalPost. 

Intellectual Inquiry and Debate:

In keeping with the University’s adoption of the Chicago Principles, this class will seek to cultivate an environment of free intellectual inquiry, debate, and constructive criticism. The instructor will guide discussions to advance the course's educational objectives, and students are encouraged to listen to one another and engage thoughtfully with differing viewpoints, even when unpopular or controversial views are expressed. The mere expression of views, words, symbols, images, or thoughts that some people find offensive does not violate free speech norms if such expression arises for legitimate academic and/or pedagogical purposes. The class will also seek to cultivate an environment in which people can change their minds, and in which students who are uncertain or need time to formulate their thoughts can claim the space to do so.