Billica, Nancy

Research

keywords

US institutions and public policy, environmental policy, social welfare policy, policy process, legislation, US Congress, state government and politics

Teaching

courses taught

PSCI 1101 - Introduction to American Politics
Primary Instructor - Summer 2018
Emphasizes interrelations among levels and branches of government, formal and informal institutions, processes, and behavior.
PSCI 2106 - Introduction to Public Policy Analysis
Primary Instructor - Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Studies policymaking processes in American government, factors shaping public decision, and issues and questions relevant to political inquiry.
PSCI 3031 - Political Parties and Interest Groups
Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Highlights the practice of party politics in the United States, including the nature, structure, organization, and functions of political parties and interest groups. Analyzes interest group politics and political behavior. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101.
PSCI 3041 - The American Congress
Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Provides intensive examination of the role of Congress in American government, including congressional elections, representation, the organization of Congress, and congressional policy making. Examines larger context of congressional politics, including political parties, the president, and interest groups. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101.
PSCI 3061 - State Government and Politics
Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2022
Examines politics in the American states from a comparative and historical perspective. Considers major political actors---interest groups, citizens (direct democracy), and political parties, as well as central institutions, in the state political arena. Also focuses on major state public policy concerns. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101.

PSCI 3206 - The Environment and Public Policy
Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023
Considers constitutional, political, and geographic factors in development of public policy affecting the use of natural resources and management of the environment; organization, procedures, and programs for use of natural resources; and administration of environmental policies. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101 or PSCI 2012.

PSCI 3216 - Politics of Social Policy
Primary Instructor - Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Examines theoretical assumptions, political processes, program content, and analytical methods used in development of US social policy. Current social policy issues are put in historic context and include assessment of social, economic, and political influences on policy choices and outcomes. Students have opportunity to compare policy approaches and gain practice in evaluating the politics and content of public policy alternatives. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101, PSCI 2106 or PSCI 2012.

PSCI 4028 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor - Spring 2023
Offers subjects not covered by existing courses. Offered when the department approves a special topic. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics.

PSCI 4938 - Internship in Government
Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
With instructor's assistance, students secure an internship with a political or governmental organization. In addition to the internship, the class consists of regular seminars, course readings and assignments, and individual conferences with the instructor. Student pursues an academic research project and writes an original research paper. Instructor approval required in semester preceding internship. Contact instructor prior to early registration. Recommended prerequisite: PSCI 1101. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

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