Policy Studies

Introduction

The Policy Studies program serves as the administrative home of two majors at Dickinson: the Policy Management major and the Law & Policy major. Both majors are designed to help students develop complex problem solving skills in an interdisciplinary context so that they can address contemporary policy problems that are framed by ethical norms.

Policy Management major

Policy Management majors develop and learn to apply complex problem solving skills across a wide variety of institutional contexts (in the public sector, in the private sector, and in international settings).  Policy Management majors also take an ethics elective and an internship which must be approved by the student's Policy Studies advisor.

Law & Policy majors develop and learn to apply complex problem solving skills in areas where law and policy intersect.  Majors study the structure (POSC 248, The Judiciary) and philosophical underpinnings of the legal system (LAWP/PHIL 255, Philosophy of Law) while also taking two law electives, one policy elective, and a law-related internship, which must be approved by the student’s Policy Studies advisor. 

Introductory courses appropriate for prospective majors

POSC 120, American Government 
ECON 111, Introduction to Microeconomics

Normally, these two prerequisite courses must be taken before the foundations course. LAWP/PHIL 200, Foundations in Policy Studies, is taken in the spring of the sophomore year.

For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: Policy Studies or the department website.