Public Affairs 7505: Wicked Policy Problems

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This is a sample syllabus to provide general information about the course and it's requirements. Course requirements are subject to change. This syllabus does not contain all assignment or course detail and currently enrolled students should reference the syllabus provided by their instructor. For a specific syllabus, please email us a request.

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Course Overview

3 Credit Hours
Modalities Available: In-Person

The course will describe a class of policy problems that are complex and difficult to address. Examples include 1) COVID, 2) improving student achievement, 3) solving poverty, or 4) reducing drug crimes. This class of problems cross all policy domains from health to the environment and the economy. Wicked problems are distinguished by both a high degree of scientific uncertainty as well as moral complexity (Balint et al, 2011). Wicked problems are increasingly addressed with tools from complexity or system science. These tools include System Dynamics, Agent Based Models, and Network Models - all of which require a view of problems as generated by emergent behavior. This class will provide an overview of some key policy problems that are unusually complex, as well as providing a language and methodology from complexity to address these issues.

Learning Outcomes

Students in this course will:

  • Improve understanding of Policy Analysis as a science;
  • Assemble a toolkit for conceptualizing Decision Sciences;
  • Improve understanding of Systems Science methods, including System Dynamics, Agent-Based Modeling, and Network Science.

Requirements and Expectations

Reading materials may be required for this class. Please consult your instructor's syllabus for details.

10% of grade: Student attendance will be recorded and used as the basis for assigning 10% of the grade. Part of the discussion grade is participation your classmate’s presentations and peer reviews.

Each worth 10 points. Weight of 30% of final grade.

  • Assignment 1: Defining Wicked Problems
  • Assignment 2: Definitions 
  • Assignment 3 Swamping Insight 
  • Assignment 7: GMB 

Each worth 20 points. 40% of final grade

  • Assignment 4: SIR Model Example
  • Assignment 5: SIR Agent Based
  • Assignment 6: Network Model

Worth 20 points. 20% of final grade

There will be a take home final for this class. The exam will be open book but require integration of the concepts and methods from the class and application to a scenario. You will receive 1 week to complete the exam.

Weekly Schedule

  • Overview, Definitions of wicked problems
  • Uncertainty in decision making: Examples from environmental science
  • Limitations of causal thinking: why model?
  • Concept Models, Mental Models, Examples from welfare and climate
  • System Dynamics 1, Causal Loop Diagrams, Mental Health Care example
  • System Dynamics 2: SIR Model
  • Agent Based Models 1: Segregation Review; AIR Agent Based
  • Agent Based Models 2
  • Network Models 1: Research Policy, Neuroscience and research productivity
  • Network Models 2: Case of job matching
  • Group Model Building, infant mortality
  • Systems Science Theory
  • Power and Wicked Problems
  • Future steps for simulation and modeling in solving wicked problems

Previous Instructors Have Included