The course draws on the substantive body of literature in political science, economics, and public policy to provide a working framework to analyze public policy and policymaking. The content is organized into three substantive themes: (i) the basic conceptual framework to analyze public policy and policymaking, (ii) institutions that shape and affect the policy process (iii) a discussion of different policy objectives and the way their pursuit and attainment impact the policy process. The course introduces basic tools of analysis as applied to the critical understanding of substantive public policy issues, including the analysis of how people and organizations act within a policy environment to a varied set of instruments and goals within the policy environment. It includes a module on outcomes and redistributive justice.