In this course, students grapple with the challenging nature of reaching community policy goals, by engaging directly with the community organizations that rise to meet that challenge. By learning from local community organizations how they choose and prioritize their goals and by evaluating how political context may shape the ability of organizations to reach those goals, students get hands-on experience in analyzing policy alternatives, evaluating programs, and struggling through the grueling policy process in American politics. As part of these experiences, this course requires outside participation in civic engagement activities with local community organizations. Open only to juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: POLS 223.