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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Policy

  • Final Assignment

    Directions:

    1. Identify a narrow policy issue of your choice (take a look at the materials provided for various case studies on the course website if you are having trouble picking a topic);
    2. Present an analysis of the policy issue;
    3. Identify alternative policies;
    4. Evaluate and analyze the policy you are studying using cost-benefit analysis, stakeholder analysis, data analysis, and / or analysis of inputs, outputs, and outcomes;
    5. Apply the correct type(s) of policy analysis to the alternatives;
    6. Present the results of your analysis and the give the best option based on your criteria; and
    7. Make suggestions for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the policy.
    Read more: Final Assignment

  • Assignment 3 – Observe a Public Meeting

    Attend a public meeting in the Boston area, take careful notes on the event, and report back in a succinct, well-organized informational memo. Be sure to also collect any materials distributed at the event for reference. Your memo should describe the organization, discuss where its power originates, identify the purpose of the meeting, explain the structure of the deliberative process used to collect input, and discuss what, if any, outcome resulted.

    Read more: Assignment 3 – Observe a Public Meeting

  • Assignment 2 – EPA Open Docket on Pesticides

    The EPA has opened docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844 to review neonicotinoids, pesticides that may have an adverse effect on pollinators, including bees. You have been asked by your client to review the EPA primary and supporting documents and provide a 2-page memo of comments to the EPA stating your position. You may choose your client. Decide who you will represent—an advocacy group, a state environmental protection agency, a farmer, etc.

    Read more: Assignment 2 – EPA Open Docket on Pesticides

  • Assignment 1 – Hometown Analysis

    A critical part of creating policy is the data gathering process. What data can you find quickly and analyze? What do the data mean? What story can you tell using reliable data? What data do you need?

    Using your hometown as the subject of your investigation, assume that you are a policy analyst and you work for the new mayor or the new town or city council.

    What data can you use to tell a story about your hometown? Where is it located? How many people live there? What does it provide in terms of resources to the state?

    Read more: Assignment 1 – Hometown Analysis

  • Project of Change or Research Paper

    Beginning in week four, students should form groups of not more than four students to work collaboratively on either 1) a final research paper or 2) a proposal for a project that responds to a contemporary issue in environmental justice. The project of change or research paper may be designed in collaboration with a local public agency or community-based organization, or by the team without outside consultation.

    Read more: Project of Change or Research Paper

  • Current Event Facilitation

    On the first day of class, each student will sign up for one week of the course’s readings that are of interest, to relate the day’s readings to a current event and to facilitate a 20-minute discussion about the assigned material.

    Read more: Current Event Facilitation

  • Weekly Response Papers

    Each student will write brief weekly response papers of not more than 500 words each (35%). These should present a critical assessment of the assigned material and not a mere restatement of content (link to class readings). The responses give you an opportunity to analyze key ideas that cut across readings, identify questions the readings prompt you to ask, suggest critiques of the data, methodology, or conclusions, or raise concepts you want to clarify.

    Read more: Weekly Response Papers

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.