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UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM

Strengthen Your
Education Policy

Build core skills in policy analysis, research methods, data visualization, and advocacy while you move through your coursework. Designed to complement seminars, lectures, and fieldwork.

10
Units
40
Lessons
55+
Activities
Research
Ready

Skills You Practice

Practice academic and applied policy skills alongside class projects

Policy Analysis

Evaluate policies systematically

Data Skills

Analyze and visualize data

Communication

Write briefs, give presentations

Stakeholder Work

Build coalitions, manage conflicts

Where These Skills Apply

Connect classwork to research, civic, and community roles

Policy Brief Workshop
Write and revise briefs with peer feedback
Legislative Simulation
Practice hearings, drafting, and testimony
Advocacy Campaign Lab
Plan outreach, messaging, and metrics
Research Poster Prep
Synthesize evidence into presentations

Choose Your Focus

Three pathways through the same comprehensive curriculum

Public Policy Focus

Deep dive into policy analysis, legislative processes, and government affairs

All 10 units
Emphasis: Policy Analysis, Legislative Process

Research Track

Emphasis on quantitative and qualitative research methods

All 10 units
Emphasis: Research Methods, Data Analysis

Advocacy & Communication

Focus on advocacy strategies, communication, and stakeholder engagement

All 10 units
Emphasis: Advocacy, Policy Communication

Resource Units

10 resource sets • 40 activities • Flexible add-ons to your syllabus

Master frameworks for systematic policy analysis and evaluation.

Learning Outcomes

Apply systematic frameworks to policy problems
Construct clear problem definitions
Generate and evaluate policy options

Interactive Resource Hub

Supplemental, in-browser resources designed to support your classwork and deepen policy analysis.

Overview

High-level summaries that connect the curriculum to real-world policy debates.

Policy Analysis Roadmap

A guided walkthrough of how undergrads move from questions to recommendations.

Research Design Playbook

Clarifies research questions, units of analysis, and feasible methods for class projects.

Comparative Systems Snapshot

Quick comparisons of global education systems for seminar discussion.

Data & Evidence

Work with current, cited datasets and evidence summaries directly in the platform.

Cited Sources
  • NCES Digest of Education Statistics (2023 edition)
  • OECD Education at a Glance (2023)
  • UNESCO UIS Global Education Monitoring updates (2024)
  • NAEP long-term trend summaries (2022)

Data Quality Checklist

Evaluate reliability, validity, and equity impacts before using datasets.

Statistics Lab

Practice with descriptive stats and hypothesis testing in policy contexts.

Visualization Studio

Turn datasets into charts and story-ready visuals.

Projects & Simulations

Active learning experiences you can run alongside your course syllabus.

Committee Hearing Simulation

Role-play testimony and committee questioning with structured prompts.

Coalition-Building Workshop

Map stakeholders and design coalition outreach strategies.

Digital Advocacy Sprint

Plan a week-long advocacy sprint with measurable outcomes.

Resource Library

Reusable templates, prompts, and guides that stay inside CivicLens.

Policy Brief Studio

Step-by-step drafting flow with prompts and exemplar sections.

Presentation Studio

Structure persuasive policy presentations with peer feedback.

Capstone Planning Hub

Organize milestones, deliverables, and faculty checkpoints.

Ethics Decision Guide

Apply equity and ethics frameworks to policy scenarios.

How Students Use This Curriculum

Course Companion

Use each unit as a structured supplement to weekly lectures and readings.

Real-World Projects

Apply concepts to current policy issues in your community and campus.

Flexible Pacing

Move through modules at your own speed or align them with class milestones.

Capstone Support

Scaffolded milestones help you plan, analyze, and deliver polished research.

Discussion-Ready Prompts

Bring structured debate questions and stakeholder viewpoints into class.

Interactive Learning

Simulations, case studies, and collaborative projects keep learning active.

Ready to Dive In?

Start building the skills and evidence base for your next seminar, project, or capstone.