11.003J | Spring 2016 | Undergraduate

Methods of Policy Analysis

Assignments

Assignment 1 – Hometown Analysis

Due Session 3

Using your hometown as the subject of your investigation, assume that you are a policy analyst and you work for the new mayor or the new town or city council. What data can you use to tell a story about your hometown?

Assignment 2 – EPA Open Docket On Pesticides

Due Session 8

Write a memo of comments to the Environmental Protection Agency voicing your stance on pesticides and their effects on pollinators.

Effective Memo Writing Examples (PDF)

Assignment 3 – Observe A Public Meeting

Due Session 12

MIT students were required to attend a public meeting in the Boston area and write an informational memo based on their observations.

City of Boston Public Meeting Schedule

Consumer and Business Affairs Regulation

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection – Public Hearings & Comments

Energy Facilities Sitting Board – Public Hearings

Metropolitan Area Planning Council Events

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board Meetings

Cambridge City Council Meeting Schedule

Boston City Council Meeting Schedule

City of Somerville Public Meetings

Assignment 4 – Open-ended

Due Session 17

The last short assignment is open-ended and you may choose to either prepare for your final project or to re-write a previous assignment.

Final Assignment

Oral Presentations Due Sessions 23–25

Final Paper Due Session 26

The final assignment will be 40% of your final grade and consists of two parts: An oral presentation and a 12–15 page paper.