This class was fantastic. I am a prospective Batten student, and took this class to see what Batten looked like. There are really not enough nice things I could say about Professor Warburg and Volden.

The work is difficult if you have no background in public policy, but you have to start somewhere. Professors Warburg and Volden make the class engaging and quick. I finished with an A-. If you are looking to get a good feel for what Batten courses are really like, this is great place to start.

Please note, this class is an overview of major public policy issues. The course does not go in depth for each topic, and it is designed that way! It is excellent for finding what policy issue gets you motivated.

Also, I did not take intro and it did not leave me at much of a disadvantage. I scored the same as my peers who did. For the memo assignments, ask for help! It is the best way to make sure you are on the right track. The GTAs are super helpful. I had Emily Perkins, who I cannot recommend enough. She is a fair grader and wants her students to succeed.