How does the trash get delivered? How does a grocery clerk end up enforcing federal nutrition policy? Why do bike lanes change when you cross a city line? This course is designed for students across disciplines who want to build fluency in how public services work and to examine the latency between policy development and on-the-ground implementation, across federal, state, and local government as well as public institutions like libraries, transit systems, and utilities.
The first half of the semester introduces service fundamentals through case studies, historical analysis, and discussion. In the second half, students conduct service analysis and research and produce final projects that examine a service of their choosing. Students leave with practical tools for understanding service systems and an expanded understanding of the verbs that animate cities.
*Meets with URP 610-001
