Fall 2007 Course Description
Policy Research Project
Description: The domestic policy staff of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) correctly anticipated a renewed interest in national service. ?Service? now commands attention in the presidential campaign, usually as a comment on authorizing an elite United States Public Service Academy. The proposed new academy would be modeled on the nation?s military academies.
The CRS domestic policy staff needs help in preparing background materials for Congress on policy and program options for national service. This policy research project will assist the policy staff.
The PRP has two primary tasks. One is to assess domestic and international models of compulsory and voluntary national service programs. The other is to prepare a preliminary written report. The report is overview of national or community service. The overview explores service as both an appropriate focus of national policy and a matter of personal commitment and private practice. The report also outlines and assesses the purpose, structure, prevalence, and effectiveness of different models.
Some issues and questions used to start the project include: Should national service be mandatory? Should we distinguish between military and non-military service? If so, why and how? Should service be a required part of high school and college curricula? Does service relate to civil society, civic engagement, and public life in a democratic society?
PRPs work best when team members collectively combine different skills, experiences, and interests. The following combination would be particularly useful in this project: report writing and editing; prior service experience (AmeriCorps/Citizens Corps, Teach for America, Peace Corps, armed forces, or hands-on community organizing); interests in education/service-learning, workforce development and apprenticeship; or the development, leadership and management of ?democratic? institutions.
Contact the instructor if you have questions.
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