Assignment task:
Topics should touch on at least one theme of content areas listed on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals webpage however are not limited to one of the listed themes.
Themes/topics selection should be based off each student's personal/professional interest(s).
The idea behind this paper is to address/resolve at least one issue associated with the UNSDG's. Here are a few issues that may serve as examples [*petroleum eruptions -or- over fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, managing highly contagious viruses before they become widespread in any number of TX communities, supporting women's rights, introduce comprehensive affordable housing options, etc.*].
Papers should focus on the identification of either: an entire region in TX [e.g. Panhandle, Southern border, Gulfcoast, etc.], or a city of your choice. Determine/identify which approach is most effective to accomplish desired objective (environmental, social or economic policy), and comment as to why you focused on at least one of these three policy options.
Identification of the preferred application of resources (e.g. redistributive, distributive or regulatory) is also expected ~ who would benefit; and who would absorb accrued expenses? The five steps below should be considered as the categories in which your policy proposal should be constructed.
The (5) steps to policy formation are listed in our course textbook, so all students should be sure to refer to our textbook for more details/information.
The Policymaking Process:
Agenda Setting - What's your issue(s) of concern?
Formulation - What's your approach to resolve your issue(s) of concern?
Adoption - Domestic Policy - Which elected officials would you approach to ask to endorse your legislative proposal [e.g. across the entire state, in a specific county (*county commissioners*), -or- at the local level (*a specific mayor, and/or specific city council members*)] ~ it is encouraged to research each decided upon elected official to get a better understanding as to whether they would in fact support your proposal, or not, + students are not limited to one group [i.e. there can be a combination of TX Congressional members working with state elected officials, and with local representatives? I'm looking for names of at least (3) political individuals.
Implementation - which agency, board, and/or commission in TX would be responsible for implementing your proposals [e.g. TX Commission on Environmental Quality, Housing, TX Workforce Commission, Education, Health and Human Services, etc.; and know each of these departments may have a similarly named entity at the local level].
Evaluation - When would you suggest/like to see people responsible for evaluating overall performance of your proposal come together and figure out what works to either apply consistent/additional resources, or end suggestions that do not work? Post a timeframe [e.g. every month, six months, annually, etc.]
Please add citation for better understanding