PUBPOL-155D

INTRO TO POLICY ANALYSIS

Offered Fall 2026
PPS · Taught by Katzenstein, Suzanne · Last offered Fall 2025
Term
Instructor

Overview

A solid policy intro that teaches useful memo-writing and analytic habits without being especially hard. It works best when discussions and simulations push beyond the readings; otherwise it can feel broad and a little flat.

DepartmentPPS
Terms offeredFall, Spring
Typical enrollment14–149
Semesters of data5
2.6
Hrs / week
594
Responses
1185
Enrollment
50%
Response Rate

Evaluation Scores

Overall quality
Teaching, content, and experience combined.
4.0
12345
Intellectually stimulating
Challenges students to think deeply.
3.9
12345
Instructor effectiveness
Explains concepts and facilitates learning.
4.4
12345
Difficulty
Higher means harder.
2.3
12345

Feedback Analysis

Feedback Analysishigh
Analysis based on student evaluations
Based on 1467 comments across 35 sections

A solid policy intro that teaches useful memo-writing and analytic habits without being especially hard. It works best when discussions and simulations push beyond the readings; otherwise it can feel broad and a little flat.

Student Reports
How hard is the A?
More reachable A
Student comments make the grading bar sound relatively reachable. This reads more like a course where steady work is rewarded than one where students describe the A as unusually hard to land.
Homework Load
Heavy homework load
Homework load is one of the clearest friction points. Students repeatedly describe assignments, readings, or problem sets as time-consuming.
Lecture Load
Lecture load is mixed
Lecture burden appears to vary by section. Some comments describe a discussion-driven format, while others emphasize denser or more central lectures.
Strengths
• Students repeatedly describe real gains in memo writing, structured policy analysis, and looking at issues from multiple angles.
• Supportive teaching and interactive elements like simulations are a clear plus in the stronger sections.
• The workload looks reasonable for an intro course, especially relative to the skills students say they gain.
Tradeoffs
• This is still an intro, so students wanting deep substantive policy work may find it broad rather than sharp.
• Some comments say class time leaned too much on slides or reading summary instead of richer discussion.
• One representative comment specifically calls out a mismatch between pass/fail grading and the amount of required work.
Best fit for
Students who want a practical introduction to policy thinking, memo writing, and argument from competing perspectives.
Watch out for
• If you want highly specialized policy content, upper-level courses will probably fit better.
• Discussion section quality appears uneven, so do not assume every section is equally engaging.
• The course is manageable, but it still runs on readings; if you do not prepare, class value drops fast.

Student Responses

1. I learned how to write a memo 2. I learned traditional vs transformational approaches to public policy 3. I learned about tools of public policy including cost benefit analysis, program evaluation, and logic models
Fall 2023 · Carnes, Nicholas
I learned a lot about how to conduct policy writing through assigned memos and midterms regarding topics addressed through memos. Along with this skill, I also learned about policy and how it is analyzed, evaluated, and how it comes about in the US. We read about policy and how important it is to our country and that it is life nad death serious and needs to be changed in some aspects, but making effective change is challenging.
Fall 2023 · Carnes, Nicholas
I learned about the historical development of public policy, along with how to create policy and analyze the pitfalls and benefits of various forms of policy analysis and development.
Fall 2023 · Carnes, Nicholas
Memo writing
Fall 2023 · Carnes, Nicholas
I learned a lot of skills that will help me in my future in public policy but also just life in general including; memo writing, concise writing, accurate citations, and improved reading comprehension for policy-based works.
Fall 2023 · Carnes, Nicholas

Rating History

Rating history
Error bars show \u00B11 std dev
TermInstructorOverallDifficultyHrs/wkEnrolled
Fall 2025Katzenstein, Suzanne 4.4Rate My ProfessorsQuality4.4Difficulty2.8Would retake86%Based on 49 ratingsClick to view on RMP →4.22.22.6265
Spring 2025Carnes, Nicholas 4.0Rate My ProfessorsQuality4.0Difficulty3.2Would retake80%Based on 54 ratingsClick to view on RMP →3.72.82.7176
Fall 2024Katzenstein, Suzanne 4.4Rate My ProfessorsQuality4.4Difficulty2.8Would retake86%Based on 49 ratingsClick to view on RMP →4.02.12.5300
Spring 2024Katzenstein, Suzanne 4.4Rate My ProfessorsQuality4.4Difficulty2.8Would retake86%Based on 49 ratingsClick to view on RMP →3.82.42.4250
Fall 2023Carnes, Nicholas 4.0Rate My ProfessorsQuality4.0Difficulty3.2Would retake80%Based on 54 ratingsClick to view on RMP →3.72.42.7194

Instructor

Katzenstein, SuzannePPS
Also teaches
PUBPOL-311S BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS4.3PUBPOL-564 DEMOCRACY LAB4.4PUBPOL-807 MASTER'S PROJECT I2.9