Experiential course where students work directly w/U.S. Dept. of Defense to address real-world nat'l security challenges, gaining problem-solving & prof. skills for any field. Through research, stakeholder interviews, & engagements w/outside experts, student teams develop policy recs for project sponsors' orgs. Recent project sponsors: US Strategic Command, Space Security & Defense Program, & Nat'l Ground Intelligence Center.

The adjustment from HS to college is filled with turbulent transitions and with opportunities for discovery, growth, and development of critical life skills. Course focuses on development of broad skills to create fulfilling lives and successful careers after college, especially in 4 areas: (1) development of emotional resilience skills, (2) development of life management skills, (3) intro to leadership concepts, and (4) establishment of small communities of students.

This course moves beyond the traditional economic approach to public policy and explores the role of psychological analysis. Decision-making is not always rational, but involves various cognitive biases that can result in mistrust and prejudice, preference for avoidance of loss rather than maximization of gain, and overweighting of short-term outcomes.

What are the most pressing policy problems facing Virginia and how can they be addressed? Students will learn how the broad historical forces of Virginia's past, her current political institutions, and changing social divisions shape public policy in Virginia today. Student projects will focus on current and future challenges facing the Commonwealth and develop strategies to address them.

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.

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.

This is an introductory course focusing on the "4Ps of marketing" from a marketing strategy perspective. It will encompass decisions regarding Product, Price, Promotion, and Place such that a firm's offerings meet a specific consumer need, demand, or want. This includes a strong consideration of consumer psychology and consumer behavior. This course will address the key questions a marketer must consider for its offerings to be successful.

Drawing on social science research, this course explores how public leaders contribute to problem identification, issue framing, policy adoption, crisis management, and organizational and societal change. The course will clarify the relationships among key concepts including leadership and followership, authority and influence, reciprocity and persuasion, and examine the role of contextual factors in shaping the strategies of 21st century leaders

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.

Introduces the development of Brazilian culture from 1500 to the present. This course is taught in English and does not fulfill the language requirement.