Fall 2015 Policy Matters Series

December 8, 2015
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
109 English Philosophy Building (EPB)

"Policy Matters" is an undergraduate course that focuses on the policy challenges posed by the search for economic security and equality of opportunity.  The course traces the historical development of social problems and policy solutions, investigates the ways in which society addresses these issues, and engages students in critical analysis of both the effectiveness of current policies and the universe of policy options.  Each topical unit concludes with a public forum, bringing together the campus and local community to discuss major social issues facing us today.  

Each unit includes a panel discussion that is free and open to the public (see details below), which will be held in Room 109 English Philosophy Building (EPB) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Schedule

October 1, 2015

Policy Matters: Working in Iowa

Thursday, October 1, 6:30-8:00
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB) 

Our working lives are shaped by public policies that regulate the employment relationship, set a floor under wages, and both establish and enforce the rights of workers.  The "Working in Iowa" panel brings together a range of people—advocates, researchers, legislators, and administrators—who play different roles in shaping these policies.  Our goal is to understand these policies, how they are made, and how they work in practice—and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area. 

For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.
 

President Iowa City Federation of Labor
University of Iowa Labor Center
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
US Department of Labor

October 22, 2015

Policy Matters: Poverty Policy in Practice

Thursday, October 22, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)

Poverty poses an enduring riddle, not only for its persistence in a rich society, but for the challenge of matching public policies to a problem shaped by individual, familial, and economic conditions or challenges.  The "Poverty Policy in Practice" panel brings together a range of people—advocates, researchers, legislators, and administrators—who play different roles in shaping these policies.  Our goal is to understand these policies, how they are made, and how they work in practice—and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area. 

For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.

 

Vice President Community Impact and Engagement, United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties
Executive Director Shelter House
Community Food Security VISTA Crisis Center of Johnson County
Administrator Division of Adult, Children & Family Services, Iowa Department of Human Services

November 11, 2015

Policy Matters: Perspectives on Health Reform

Tuesday, November 10, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)

How do we manage the risk—to individuals or families—of illness or injury?  This is a policy arena marked by high political and economic stakes and deep disagreements over the boundary between public and private responsibility.  The "Front Lines of Health Care" panel examines the goals and the limits of our most recent episode in health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2008.  Our goal is to understand the ACA, how it was crafted and what it does--and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area.  

For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu.

Director Public Policy Center

December 9, 2015

Policy Matters: Schooling as Social Policy

Tuesday, December 8, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
109 English-Philosophy Building (EPB)

Public education is both our most expansive and universal social policy, and the one charged—in a setting of stark economic inequality—with the task of ensuring equality of opportunity.  The "Schooling as Social Policy" panel brings together a range of people—advocates, researchers, legislators, and administrators—who play different roles in shaping these policies.  Our goal is to understand these policies, how they are made, and how they work in practice—and to gain a better appreciation of the challenges and opportunities in this policy area.  

For more information, please contact Sarah Bruch at sarah-bruch@uiowa.edu or Colin Gordon at colin-gordon@uiowa.edu

Superintendent Cedar Rapids Community School District
Vice President and Director District 3 Grant Wood Area Education Agency Board of Directors
Associate Professor Educational Leadership Associate Director, Center for Evaluation and Assessment
Iowa State Board of Education
Superintendent Davenport Community Schools
The Forkenbrock Series provides a forum for dialogue about policy areas from applied, academic, and interdisciplinary perspectives. The series was established in honor of David Forkenbrock, a nationally recognized transportation researcher. Dr. Forkenbrock established the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa in 1987 and directed the Center until 2007. His vision was to enable public and private sector decision makers to work with faculty, staff, and student researchers to explore solutions to complex problems related to the public interest.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Dragana Petic at dragana-petic@uiowa.edu.