An overview of the fields of social psychology and behavioral science. We will explore behavioral research in basic social psychology, leadership and organizational behavior, and the ways in which social science methods and research are currently being used in public policy and to solve major societal problems. The ultimate goal is to teach students how to think like behavioral scientists.

Course shapes public leaders to recognize & respond to competing value propositions & implement value objectives in specific public context. Course goes beyond concrete incentive systems & aims to shape decisions, behavior, & expectations through social norms & organizational culture. Leaders in the public arena must appreciate competing value propositions & articulate & advocate for principles & standards of behavior.

Social entrepreneurship is an approach to creating system-level change through the application of entrepreneurial thinking to social ventures, non-profit organizations, government institutions, and NGOs to create economic, environmental, and social value for multiple stakeholders. In this course you will be introduced to a range of entrepreneurial approaches aimed at solving social problems - from the non-profit to the for-profit.

In this class students will learn to reflect upon and evaluate human conduct and character, consider the ethical components of individual and collective behaviors, and engage in the articulation of ethical questions and moral deliberation.

Investigates a selected issue in public policy or leadership.

This course is focused on an exploration of "self" in relationship to the complexities and structures of the professional organizations in which students work as interns. The course combines organizational behavior concepts and content that emphasizes self and exploration.

Leading in the public context requires an understanding of one's own & others' thoughts, feelings, & motivations; & tools for working toward mutually valued outcomes. Course uses behavioral science to develop this understanding & build a toolkit. Through exercises, lectures, discussion, readings, & projects, students will learn general behavioral principles that they can leverage to work toward valued communal goals within public institutions.

This course will introduce students to both the process of public policy and the tools of policy analysis. The first part examines the actors, institutions, and procedures involved in the adoption, implementation, and evaluation of public policy. The second part introduces students to the basic concepts and tools of policy analysis including problem definition, specification of alternatives, and solution analysis.

This course will provide an overview of research methods and data analysis in public policy, integrating basic statistical modeling. The class will promote a critical understanding of what good research is, how people sometimes lie with statistics, and how flawed research can be identified, and an appreciation of the relationship between researchers and the rest of society, and how researchers can most suitably deal with the existence of skeptics

Explore US mental health policy & analyze effectiveness of policies to address behavioral health needs. Examine how US Fed govt perceives mental illness, impact of science on policy initiatives & why US remains in state of crisis. Topics include: COVID, Social Determinants of Health, institutionalization vs community based svcs, impact of adverse childhood experiences, PTSD & military, brain science, financing mental health svcs & opioid crisis.