The following courses will be offered by the Department of Social Sciences this summer:

PS 306-01 Politics and Public Policy (Summer Session A)

Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-4:10 p.m.

Analyzes public policy processes with a primary focus on the United States and a secondary focus on cross-country comparisons involving the United States. The overarching concern is the effectiveness of government intervention given our market-based system. The student will become familiar with models and determinants of policy making. Beyond theories of policy making, the course also surveys a number of timely policy issues. In this way, a balance is reached between theory and application. There will be an underlying focus on the American political economy and public policy making, but students do not need an extensive background in either economics or policy making.

SSCI 209-01 Social Science Research Methods (Summer Session C)

Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-4:10 p.m.

Introduces students to methods of explanation in the social sciences and both qualitative and the quantitative research methods. Topics covered include the formulation of research questions, measurement, data collection, survey research, significance tests, experimental and quasi-experimental design, sampling, and various techniques of qualitative research.

SSCI 378-01 The Triple Helix (Summer Session C)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4:10 p.m.

This course explores government-led research and development (R&D) collaboration across government research institutes, private firms, and universities. This “triple helix” model originated in the 1980s in Japan under the technocratic model, was quickly taken up by Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and is responsible for the success of innovations ranging from the integrated circuit to household hydrogen production. But, why does it work, and is it always an ideal policy choice? In other words, should private firms be left alone to innovate or should they be coupled with the public sector?

For more information on all three courses, contact Matt Shapiro at mshapiro2@iit.edu.