NGOs play a growing role in shaping U.S. public policies. Skepticism of federal policymaking has opened opportunities for policy entrepreneurs to challenge well-funded private sector lobbies in shaping the agenda. This seminar will examine tactical options and key case studies to equip future NGO activists. We'll look at best practices from both national and local NGO campaigns, think tanks and grass roots organizations competing to make policy

What does it mean to prioritize equity in policy? Equity must be operationalized & incorporated into all policy stages: agenda setting, design, implementation, & evaluation. Consider frameworks & tools for centering equity in policy design: engage disadvantaged communities; evaluate degree current policies promote equity, examine policy histories & differential impacts; surface apparent tradeoffs in elevating equity over other analytic concerns.

Instruction on key events, places, texts and thinkers that help us understand the history and principles of democracy.

Courses examine special topics in public policy and/or leadership.

Applied Policy Clinics Topics Course

Investigates a selected issue in public policy or leadership.

Caring well for an aging population is among the greatest challenges facing both the United States and the world. Significant gaps persist between the health and social systems that older adults need, and those to which they have access. This course uses a multidisciplinary approach--encompassing history, public health, ethics, the social sciences, and literature--to explore these gaps, their impact, and their meaning.

Explores the concepts and organizational factors impacting service delivery and quality management in healthcare; examines service excellence processes/resources to improve customer service and quality. Applies strategies to address challenges in quality and service management; focuses on the concepts, theories, and applications to improve decision making in quality and customer service. Prerequisite: Admission to HSM Grad Certificate Program.

A course for advanced short story writers. Student manuscripts are discussed in individual conference and in class. May be repeated with different instructor. For instructions on how to apply to this class, see www.engl.virginia.edu/courses. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

This seminar uses Hepatitis C to explore the promises and pitfalls of the U.S. healthcare system. Once the deadliest infectious disease in America, Hepatitis C now has a highly effective cure¿yet millions remain untreated. Why? Through science, policy, and ethics, we¿ll examine barriers such as drug pricing, insurance, stigma, and social determinants of health, and develop creative, interdisciplinary solutions. No science background required.