Justin M. Boucher
This history of the suburbs clearly illustrates both the process by which policy is made in America, and the role of policy in our seemingly organic markets. Policy generally follows a five-step process, beginning with agenda building, progressing through formulation, adoption, and implementation to policy evaluation. Each step in this process, as it pertains to the growth of suburbs, is clearly documented in the historical record as it is obvious in our daily lives. Thus this unit will be able to replace traditional units on social and economic policy in AP Government courses, as well as policy units in civics courses and social history units in U.S. History courses.
The logic behind this unit is simple. The history of the suburbs has led in most cases the setting in which our students have lived their lives. Moreover, unlike raise in taxes, or a new health care bill, the ramifications of suburban policies are appreciable for most students. While most policies of the federal government are obscure in nature, leaving students confused about their meaning, and their consequences. Finally, the students will come to understand the reach of the Federal Government, and its ability, by slightly altering spending priorities (and with our complicity), to reorganize our society.
Once a class completes this unit, students will be able to articulate and explain the history of the suburbs. The students will also be able to explain the policy-making process, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses while applying their understanding of those steps to policies beyond the suburbs. Students will also actively evaluate the policies that led to the suburbs, engaging in the final step in the policy-making process themselves.
Finally, in cooperation with Spanish and Statistics classes, the students will apply their understanding of the policy processes to the production of a Public Service Announcement to help others to understand the policy-making process, and other policies of the American government. This application of their understanding will serve as the capstone project to the unit, allowing the students to demonstrate their own understanding, and help others to inform themselves as well.
