Who Gets What - and Why? Public Policy, Health, and Opportunity in the US

Description from DukeHub

How does public policy in the United States shape inequality, economic security, and health in the 21st century, and what trade-offs influence policy choices? We'll explore how social problems are identified and measured, how evidence and data are used to make policy choices, and the trade-offs policymakers face. Most importantly, we'll focus on how policies show up in everyday life, who benefits, who doesn't, and why well-intended policies can have very different results in practice. Public Policy in the 21st Century is a team-taught course that explores a shared set of questions across three policy areas. The class will mix traditional coursework like lectures and writing assignments, with activities like simulations, writing blog posts, and engaging with policy practitioners.

Skills

• writingdescription: "writing" and 1 more
• policy and lawdescription: "policy" and 7 more

AI-resilient: 2 of 5 2/5

• No: Physical, lab or field work
• ✓Yes: Live work with people · "team"
• ✓Yes: Judgment someone is accountable for · "policy"
• No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
• No: Small, in-person format

The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works

More in PUBPOL

• Introduction to Policy Analysis PUBPOL 101D
• Risk, Rules, and the American Social Safety Net PUBPOL 109CNS
• What Is a University For? Higher Education in An Age of Uncertainty PUBPOL 112CN
• Governing Corporate Power: Rules, Democracy, and Human Rights PUBPOL 113CNS
• Applied Statistics for Public Policy PUBPOL 150D
• Leadership, Policy, and Change PUBPOL 260S

All PUBPOL courses · All of Undergraduate