About
After discussing public problems, you decide and share which public problem you want to focus on for the duration of the public policy project.
The benefit of engaging in a discussion before deciding your public problem is that your peers have knowledge and lived experiences that help you frame the public problem and consider other causes and effects.
Validating your peers’ public problems moves us away from typical "my public problem is the most important" debate to thoughtfully considering what a public problem is, what causes the problem, and what are the effects of the public problem.
Instructions
After discussing public problems, causes, and effects with your peers, it’s time to share your public problem, causes, and effects directly with me.
Step 1: Write your public problem
Your public problem submission should include the following 5 elements:
- Statement of public problem
- First cause of public problem
- Second cause of public problem
- First effect of public problem
- Second effect of public problem
Step 2: Submit your public problem
Double check that your submission includes the 5 elements above and submit it for evaluation.
Estimated Time
An estimated 30 minutes is needed to complete this assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I change my public problem?
Yes. It is ok with me if you want to change your public problem from what you posted in the previous discussion to this assignment.
Please leave a note in your submission saying you decided to change your public problem from the previous discussion to this assignment.
What is the difference between this assignment and the previous discussion?
In the previous discussion, you are asked to post a public problem and list 1 cause and 1 effect. Additionally, you are asked to reply to 2 peers contributing additional causes and effects to their public problem.
For this assignment, you should declare your public problem, but now you need to list 2 causes and 2 effects. The assumption is that replies from your peers, or in your own thinking of the public problem, that you have an second cause and a second effect.