Framing Public Policy

Framing public policy: General questions and specific personal choices.

• Should U.S. citizens be allowed to travel to Cuba?
• Should I write my Congressman to protest draft laws?

Jurisprudential Inquiry is conducted as a teaching method inside a general, assumed set of values. These American values include:

• Rule of law
• Equal protection under the law – law must be administered fairly
• Due process – government can’t deprive citizens of life, liberty and property without due process (notice, trial, etc).
• Justice – equal opportunity
• Preservation of peace/order
• Separation of powers
• Personal liberty

These social values transcend any one controversy, and thus offer navigation and “bearings” for students working through these issues.

Common problems tackled by students studying Jurisprudential Inquiry include:

• Race/ethnic conflicts
• Religious conflicts
• Crime/security
• Economic conflict
• Health, education and welfare
• National security

These controversies are resolved through analysis of facts and application of values.

At the heart of this model is compromise: When values conflict, students seek solutions whereby each value is compromised only minimally.

Model orientation: Goals and assumptions

Social values conflict – legitimately. Resolving complex issues within a stable social framework requires citizens who can interact with each other and negotiate their differences.

A skillful citizen is very much like a competent judge.

• Listen to evidence, analyze legal positions, weigh evidence and make best possible decision under the law.

Students engaging in the role of inquirer within Jurisprudential context need competencies in three areas:

• American creed (values) and familiarity with principles in the Constitution/Declaration of Independence
  
• Skills for clarifying and resolving issues
  
• A knowledge of contemporary political and public issues

This is a study of specific issues and legal cases, not a general study of values.

Public Policy controversies are at the heart of this model. Public policy issues are: Questions involving a choice or a decision for action by citizens or officials in affairs that concern a governement or community.”

Framing public policy: General questions and specific personal choices.

• Should U.S. citizens be allowed to travel to Cuba?
• Should I write my Congressman to protest draft laws?

The study of values: Jurisprudential 101

Introduction to Jurisprudential Inquiry

Jurisprudential Inquiry:

• Learning to think about social policy
• Learning to think systematically about contemporary issues
• Issues formulated as public policy questions; alternative positions are analyzed
• A high-level model for citizenship education