PS 463 Policy and History in York, Pennsylvania

Fall/Spring

This course focuses on using history to inform policy decisions in the York, Pennsylvania community. Students will learn about York and South Central Pennsylvania history generally but will dedicate most of their energies to applying this local history to inform local policymakers about the historical context in which they are operating. As a class, students will select an important local policy area to explore (such as education, public health, drug policy, housing, law enforcement, or environmental policy, for example), and then students will conduct the historical research necessary to assemble a professional policy briefing that will be presented to community stakeholders, such as elected officials, civil servants, businesspeople, philanthropists, and/or NGO directors. Students will have a unique opportunity to become experts on an aspect of local history and to share that history in ways that can inform community leaders confronting difficult choices about the future of their community.

3 credit hours