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Description

Public Policy Analysis
Your capstone project in the course is an individual research assignment on a public
policy/federal law of your choice. We will call this project your Policy Paper which will
be a formal research paper aimed at introducing and/or polishing your skills in the
following:
Public policy research – policy design, implementation, evaluation
Understanding a federal law
Effectively exploring and utilizing the library system for research
Strengthening your academic and competitive writing skills
Enhance your critical thinking skills

The Basic Structure of your Policy Analysis is the following:

1. Description of the policy/law – history and current situation
2. Rationale for public policy – market or government failure
3. Analysis of policy’s efficacy
4. Implementation
5. Evaluation
6. Recommendations

Additionally, your Policy Analysis will be required to have a minimum of ten quality
references (academic journal articles, leading books, relevant websites, etc.). The paper
will be a 12-15 page essay with a traditional title page, appropriate subheadings, standard
formatting (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman, page numbers),
parenthetical citations such as (Jasso, 2009, p. 35), a works cited page (you may call it a
reference page), and any necessary appendices. We will use APA format.
The Policy Paper will be submitted in two stages enabling you to receive feedback and for
you to manage your accountability to the project. The project is essentially your final exam
– it will be submitted in lieu of a formal final on a schedule day to be determined.