88-432 International Policy Decision Modeling Workshop
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Creating and exercising mathematical analysis in ways that inform policy and decision making is an art. One can acquire some relevant skills by taking methods classes or by reading and discussing case studies describing others models, but true mastery comes only with practice, notably practice starting with a blank sheet of paper and creating ones own analysis from scratch. This course offers students the chance to practice that art in a highfeedback environment. The primary goal is to improve modeling judgment e.g., good sense about what should be included or excluded from a model or analysis, creativity practice creating models from whole cloth, and strategy weaving analytical insights into a coherent decisionrelevant story. Students will also be taught some basic analytical frameworks and techniques applied to real world policy analysis problems in the international trade and investment policy domain. Using these skills, students will undertake policy analysis projects for U.S. federal government trade policy agencies, potentially including the United States Trade Representative. The instructor, Lee Branstetter, will draw upon his own policy experience in teaching the course and leading student policy analysis. From August 2011July 2012, Professor Branstetter served as the Senior Economist for International Trade and Investment Issues on President Barack Obamas Council of Economic Advisers.
Prerequisites: none listed
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