Platform: Coursera
Duration: 4 weeks (14 hours, self-paced)
Certification: Yes, you have to pay.
The “Using Public Policy for Social Change” course by the University of Michigan, available on Coursera, provides an insightful exploration of the role public policy plays in driving societal transformation. Structured over four weeks, it introduces foundational concepts of public policy, its significance, and how it can serve as a catalyst for addressing various social issues. Through this self-paced learning experience, students’ progress from understanding the basics of public policy to evaluating its effectiveness and ensuring desired outcomes are achieved.
By the course’s end, learners are expected to grasp the public policy process and how to leverage it for creating positive social change. The course builds skills in issue framing, policy design, and evaluating the impact of policies on communities and society at large.
Most of the course material is delivered asynchronously, allowing students to learn at their own pace through pre-recorded video lectures, readings, and assignments. Discussion forums are also available, where students can interact with instructors and peers, encouraging deeper engagement. Designed for beginners, the course accommodates those with little to no prior experience in public policy.
The course is well-organized, with each week focusing on a specific aspect of public policy, progressing logically from theory to practical evaluation. Video lectures are presented in concise segments, followed by short quizzes to reinforce key concepts. Weekly quizzes, while not overly challenging, ensure students have understood the material. Assignments involve case studies and reflections on real-world policy challenges, allowing for practical application.
Though mostly self-paced, peer interaction is encouraged through forums where students can post questions, fostering a sense of community. The course also provides additional resources like research papers, blogs, policy papers, and real-life case studies for those interested in exploring specific topics further.
The grading system is transparent and fair. Quizzes require a passing grade of 70%, and assignments are evaluated based on depth of understanding and application of the discussed concepts. A minimum of 80% in all activities is required for certification. For students seeking honors, an optional assignment and quiz demand advanced cognitive skills, applying the course’s competencies.
Accessibility features include closed captioning and transcripts for all video lectures, ensuring the course is inclusive. The quality of information shared is excellent, with material that is well-researched and engaging, supplemented by real-life case studies. The resource materials provide a broad perspective on public policy, ranging from academic articles to practical reports.
Instructor Paula Lantz, a distinguished professor at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, leads the course with clear passion. Her teaching style is interactive, encouraging reflection despite the asynchronous format.
My motivation for enrolling in this course stemmed from a desire to deepen my understanding of public policy, specifically its role in social change, which aligns with my doctoral research on the contribution of Extension Advisory Services to farming. The course’s relevance to my work made the learning process enjoyable and highly motivating. I recommend this course to scholars, especially those in agricultural extension programs, as it provides valuable insights into policy engagement and extension, a key area of the Agricultural Extension curriculum introduced by ICAR.
In conclusion, this course is an excellent choice for anyone seeking to understand how public policy shapes society and how to engage with it for social change. It offers valuable insights and practical skills for both beginners and those with prior experience in the field.
Satyabrata Mohanty is an ICSSR Doctoral Fellow in Agricultural Extension at Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan. His research interests are impact evaluation, pluralism in Extension and Advisory Services, and gender issues in agriculture. He has experience studying gender disparity in India’s agriculture and food systems through his work with MANAGE. He can be reached at msatyabrata1@gmail.com.
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