Washington Policymaking: A USER'S GUIDE

Whiplash! Since 2016, there have been three different Presidential Administrations, and a Congress that was unified (Republican), divided, unified (Democratic), and now divided again. There's been an explosion of major legislation (both partisan and bipartisan), Executive Orders, Court Challenges, Congressional Oversight, and regulatory changes. Given all of this, how much has the policymaking process really changed? In this class, students will learn the advocacy and strategy tools needed to participate effectively in Washington legislative and regulatory policymaking; as well as related issues such as Money in Politics, and Ethics. We will examine both the nuts-and-bolts and the complex intricacies of policy development at the federal level, considering current and rapidly evolving topics as examples, while also drawing on historical precedents. While living and working in Washington, together we'll learn the ways of Washington.