Public Policy and Law

Public Policy & Law is an interdisciplinary program in which students learn and practice methods and modes of thinking that help them understand and become actively engaged in legal and public policy issues. Our program introduces students to a broad range of analytical skills from the social sciences and humanities, including statistical analysis, legal argumentation, and close reading of texts. Our multidisciplinary, multi-method approach prepares students to examine every stage of the policy and law lifecycle, from historical formation and the politics of passage to the complex realities of implementation. Recognizing the inherent importance of lived experience and identity, our curriculum examines how social categories like gender, race, immigration status, religion, and sexuality shape policy and law. We further ask our students to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of significant issues, acknowledging that law and policy are always value laden.

Our location in Connecticut’s capital city of Hartford provides students with ideal access to state and local governments, as well as to non-profit and advocacy organizations involved in the making of law and policy. Through the major, students complete an internship coupled with an academic seminar and share their insights in op-eds. These real-world experiences link academic study and practice, shaping students’ capacities as engaged participants in public life.

In April 2024, Public Policy and Law celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a symposium where students, faculty, and alumni reflected on the program’s role in supporting their educational and career goals. Read the Fall 2024 Reporter article about the event to learn more about our program and its alumni.