Policy Seminar (Capstone)
The Policy Seminar in the final semester permits students to develop and present a major public program design and implementation plan using a real situation in an actual agency, either global, national, state, or local. Students develop a clearly focused mission, a strategic plan for the undertaking, and an implementation plan which acknowledges various interest groups who must "buy in" for the project to be successful. This requires personnel planning, a budget plan, and a clear method for securing approvals from all interested parties whose "ownership" is critical for its success. The results are presented to a board of visitors which includes academics and real-world agency leaders. Students are expected to be able to identify, verbalize, and experience in an authentic way clearly stated personal values as well as technical expertise.
The Capstone project was designed to provide an integrative experience through student efforts in developing an actual program or public policy. The students assumed all aspects of completing the policy paper, from selecting the topic, dividing the task to research and writing of the policy solutions. To develop leadership skills further, this project was completed as a team exercise that was reviewed and evaluated not only by faculty, but also by government officials and key representatives of constituencies affected by the policy.
2018 Projects
Access to Affordable and Nutritious Foods for Individuals Living in South Los Angeles
A Comparison of Chinese and American Strategies to Renewable Energy Development
Addressing California's Water Needs: A Policy Analysis
Addressing the Negative Perception of Drug Abuse Resistance Education
A Road Forward: Addressing Under Investment in the United States' Surface Transportation System
Creating More Housing Amidst a High-cost Housing Market
Crisis in the American Family: Addressing Family Dissolution in the United States National Security Strategy of the United States of America regarding China
Diminishing Urban and Rural Educational Disparity in China
Low Competition and Innovation in the Biopharmaceutical Industry
Preventing a "Lost Generation": Identifying and Breaking Down Barriers to the Education of Syrian Refugee Children in Jordan
Safer, Freer, Faster: Improving Results in America's Airport Security Checkpoints
Should Cities Promote Development fo Accessory Dwelling Units to Increase Housing Stock in California
The National Security Strategy: The American Strategy for Europe
The Silent Killer: US Agricultural Policy
US National Security Strategy for Russia
Where Markets and Government
2017 Projects
Battling the Smog Due to Industrial Pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
Bolivia's Overcrowded Prisons and Failed Criminal Justice System
Chinese Hukou System Reform
Economic Development in New Hampshire
Education Reform in the Mississippi Delta: A District-Specific Approach
Electoral Incentives and Policy Outcomes
The Land of Opportunity – Pursuing the Immigrant's Dream: A Policy Analysis of the
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Addressing the
Beneficiaries Status Through Immigration Reform
The Misrepresentation of Victims of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation as Criminals: A California Case Study
Revisiting NAFTA: The North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994
2016 Projects
A Srengthened Deferred Action - DACA
ADA Lawsuit Abuse in California
America's Immigrant Problem: Addressing the Issue of Undocumented Youth in the U.S.
Analysis on China's Photovoltaic Industry
Changin Horizons: Pension Reform Strategy for Southern California Municipalities
Dealing with the PM2.5 Pollution Problem in Beijing Through Petrochemical Industry
Reform of China
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: The Result of the 2008
American Crisis
Improving Stabilization of the Chinese Vegetable Market
Improving the Living Standard of Old People in Beijing
Increasing the Stability and Efficiency of Greece's Domestic Economy
Marijuana Regulation in the City of Detroit
Policy Problems and Possible Reforms
Reducing Congestion at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles
School Choice in China: Compulsory Educational Resources Reallocation
The "Butterfly Effect" as a Model for Reducing Fatherlessness in Los Angeles, California
The Political Economy of Sino-U.S. Trade Frictions on Intellectual Property
The Problem of Hunger in South Sudan
US National Security Strategy for China
US National Security Strategy Toward Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia
US National Security Strategy Toward North Africa and the Arab-Israeli Conflict
US National Security Strategy Toward Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey
2015 Projects
A Strengthened Deferred Action – DACA
ADA Lawsuit Abuse in California
America's Immigrant Problem: Addressing the Issue of Undocumented Youth in the U.S.
Analysis on China's Photovoltaic Industry
Changing Horizons: Pension Reform Strategy for Southern California Municipalities
Dealing with the PM2.5 Pollution Problem in Beijing through Petrochemical Industry
Reform of China
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: The Result of the 2008
American Crisis
Improving Stabilization of the Chinese Vegetable Market
Improving the Living Standard of Old People in Beijing
Increasing the Stability and Efficiency of Greece's Domestic Economy
Marijuana Regulation in the City of Detroit
Policy Problems and Possible Reforms
Reducing Congestion at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles
School Choice in China: Compulsory Educational Resources Reallocation
The 'Butterfly Affect' as a Model for Reducing Fatherlessness in Los Angeles, California
The Political Economy of Sino-US Trade Frictions on Intellectual Property
The Problem of Hunger in South Sudan
U.S. National Security for China
U.S. National Security for Europe
U.S. National Security for the Middle East
U.S. National Security Strategy for Russia
Work Visa Inefficiency
2014 Projects
A Tale of Two Revolutions: Lessons from Iran 1979 and Egypt 2011
Addressing the Student Loan Crisis
An Abdication of Policy or an Abrogation of Authority? American Exceptionalism, Wilsonianism
and the Foreign Affairs Interregnum
Analysis of Effects of Marijuana Policy in America
Beijing's Policy Toward Industrial Air Pollution
California Export Development: Proven Policies for Strengthening Export Growth
California's Film/Television Tax Incentive Program: A Case Study on the Benefits and
Costs of Modern Tax Subsidies
Capstone Final on Energy Policy
Decreasing Violent Crime in Chicago: An Analysis and Recommendation of the Policy Options
Available
Democratic Regime Change as the Result of War and Operations
Developing a Policy Framework for Global Secession Movements
Does Race to the Top Fix No Child Left Behind?
Does San Fernando Valley Receive Its Fair Share of Taxes?
Energy Policies in the Transportation Industry: Critical Analysis
Gas Price Analysis in People's Republic of China—On the Path of Reform
Generation Across the Country: A Back-to-Basics Evaluation of Policy Effectiveness
Growing California's Exports: Finding an Advantage in West Coast Trade Housing Price
in China
Improving the Efficiency and Management of Federal Land
Increasing Efficiency and Quality of Taxi Industry in Beijing, China
Lessons of Contemporary Debate for Immigration Reform
Low Quality Issue of Preschool Teachers in Current China
Mobile Money in Development: A Case Study Between Tanzania and Uganda
Policy Analysis of Campaign Finance Reform in American Politics
Presidential Voting System: A Study Between the United States and France
Reducing California's Prison Population
School Vouchers as a Model for Improving Virginia K-12 Education
State Employee and Teacher Pensions: A Case-Study Analysis on California and Texas
The Achievement Gap
The Democratization of Communication: Constitutional Implications of the Fairness
Doctrine in the Current Political Market
The Effect of Renewable Portfolio Standards on the Percentage of Renewable Energy
The Evolving Role and Value of Nonprofit Organizations in American Elections and the Need
for Regulation
The Future of the California Republican Party: The Latino Vote
The National Security Strategy: Interests of the United States Concerning the Russian Federation
The Provision of the Public Arts in the United States
The Root Cause of Illegal Immigration in the United States
The United States National Security Strategy for China
Threat Management: The United States National Security Strategy for the Middle East
Title IX: Promoting Sport for Women, Damaging Sport for Men?
Trucking Regulation: A Retrospective
White Slavery/Black Market: Exploring the Grey Intersection of Human Trafficking and
Prostitution
2013 Projects
Achieving Excellence in K-12 Education
Addressing HIV/AIDS Treatment in Marsabit, Kenya
Female Gendercide in China: Current Issue, Government and Market Failure, and Policy
Implications
Foreign Aid: Exploring Market-Driven Solutions to Economic Development
Gold Mining in America: Do Regulations and Standards Ensure Environmental Protection
and Sustainability?
Improving Air Quality in China
Inefficiencies and Recommendations of the Family Medical Leave Act and the Pregnancy
Discrimination Act
Jordanian Water Security
Juvenile Records Privacy and Sharing: Empowering Educators to Protect Children Who
Are in Multiple Systems
Looking into the Future: The United States National Security Strategy for China
Policy Analysis: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Private Sector Pensions: Protecting Your Future Against Fraud
Privatization and Market Liberalization: A Panacea for the Greek Debt Crisis
Profit and Preservation: Opportunity for Cities and their Water Districts to Alter
Unsustainable American Consumer Water Use
Promoting a Better World: The United States National Security Strategy for Central
and South Asia
Russia: A National Security Strategy
Small-Arms Control and Liberia: Government Failures, Market Responses and a New Public
Policy
Teacher Quality Matters: Proposing Education Reform for California
Teachers' Union Effects on the Quality of Education
Tension or Harmony with Nature: Native American Practices and Traditions and the Endangered
Species Act
The United States National Security Strategy for Europe
Understanding and Improving Los Angeles Charter Schools
Water Energy Nexus in California
Water, Water Everywhere: Is Municipal Desalination the Answer to Orange County's Water
Woes?
2012 Projects
Addressing South Africa's HIV/AIDS Crisis: Restructuring the Public Health Care System
as a Means to the Solution
Building Problems: An Evaluation of Development Policy in Afghanistan
California Cap and Trade: Putting Our Best Carbon Footprint Forward?
California's Revolving Door to Prison: A Plan for Recidivism Reduction
Civic Education in Los Angeles Public Schools
Corruption and Foreign Aid: A Policy Analysis of FDI and Corruption in Mexico
Does Personal Privacy End at the Click of a Mouse?
Electronic Waste and Universal Recycling: A Regional Response to Environmental Justice
Enacting Campaign Finance Reform after Citizens United: Informed Choices in the Political
Marketplace
English Language Learners Programs: Oxnard Union High School District and Inglewood Unified
High School District
Environmental Governance in China: The Challenge of Government Structure in Environmental
Protection
Expanding Parental Involvement at Culver City Unified School District
Genetically Engineered Foods in the United States and the California Consumers' Right to
Know Initiative
Higher Education Policy Reform
Incentivizing Cleaner Water: A Survey of Stormwater Management Rebate and Incentive
Programs in the United States
Information and Access Issues in the Market of Resources and Social Programs
Internalizing the Environmental, Public Health, and Animal Welfare Externalities of
Industrial Farm Animal Production via Consumer-Facing Product Labels
Keeping Business in California: Examining Commercial Loans, State Regulations, and the
Corporate Income Tax Rate
Looking into the Future: The U.S. National Security Strategy for Russia
Los Angeles Potable Reuse: A Public Policy and Finance Analysis
National Security Strategy of the United States of America: The East Asian Region
National Security Strategy: Europe
National Security Strategy: Middle East
Pension Reform in the City of Los Angeles: A Race Against Time
Prison Reform in California: Policy Analyses and Recommendations
Public/Private Financing of Los Angeles' NFL Stadium
Reducing Automobile Dependency Through the Newest Generation of Streetcars
Reducing Children's Exposure from School Bus Pollutants
Reforming Water Contracts in California
Relocating ... Anywhere but Here: California's Anti-Business Tax Climate
Rent Control as a Whole and the Rent Stabilization Problem in Los Angeles, California
Smart Grid, Smart Meters, and Smart Consumers: The Disconnect Between Electricity
and Its Users
Strengthening Conscience Laws to Protect Life
Tackling Corruption in Nigeria's Public Sector
The City of Malibu's Water Quality Controversy: Lessons Learned
The Impact of Transport on the Environment in China
The U.S. Export Control Reform
Toxic Water for the Central Valley Means Toxic Water for California
United States Foreign Policy Initiative on a Possible Nuclear Iran
What Should Las Virgenes Unified School District Do in Response to the FY 2012-2013
Budget Proposal?
2011 Projects
Achieving Sustainability in Space: Creating Space Policy that Works
Aerospace and the Legacy of Groundwater Pollution in Southern California
An Ecosystem Approach to Watershed "Preservelopment" in the Malibu Creek Watershed
Analysis of 2010 California Water Bond
Arizona's Project SAFE: Improving Outcomes for Juveniles on Probation in Maricopa
County
Arizona's Project SAFE: Improving Outcomes for Rural Probationers in Cochise County
Arizona's Project SAFE: Yuma County's Experience with Swift and Certain Sanctions
for Probationers
Automatic Copyright and Registration: In Harmonyor in Conflict?
Building Coalitions to Solve California's Coastal Water
Building Social Capital in Rwanda
California Water: A Shortage or Mismanagement?
California Water: Recycling and Reclaimed Solutions
California's Experiment with HOPE for Parolees: Implementation Challenges
Drugged: Pharmaceutical Water Pollution
Expanding California's Water Market
Hawaii's Experience with HOPE for Probationers (Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with
Enforcement)
Pepperdine's Sustainability Program
Politics and Policy: Urging Transparency in America's Labor Unions
Public Higher Education in Louisiana: A Policy Focus on Graduation Rates and Spending
Reducing L.A.'s Outside Water Dependency
Residential Water Conservation Through Increased Block Pricing and Informative Water
Billing
Reverse Brain Drain in the U.S. and the Need for Immigration Reform
The 2011 General Aviation Security Plan
The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Water Market Distortions
The EEAS
The Medical School Dilemma: A Policy Analysis for Easing the Residency Shortage
The Role of Public Policy in Corporate Social Responsibility: A New Way to Address
Social
Issues in the 21st Century
The Water-Energy Nexus
United States National Security Strategy for the Subcontinent
United States National Security Strategy on Russia
United States Security Strategy for Europe
United States Security Strategy for Latin America
Urban Sustainability: Stormwater Management in Southern California
Washington Intensive Supervision Probation– Improving High-Risk Parolee Compliance
Water Conservation, Use, and Pricing in Southern California
Winning the Future in Michigan: Math and Science Education in the Wolverine State
2010 Projects
Analyzing International Aid Organizations, Emphasis on Education Policy
Assessing the Effectiveness of the Broken Windows Theory
Counterinsurgency Strategy in Afghanistan: Theory, Operations, and Policy Recommendations
Defense, Diplomacy, and Development
Does Illegal Equate to Evil? A Discussion of China's Nongovernmental Organizations
Educational Technology and Accountability: The Future of No Child Left Behind
Gang Suppression in Orange County, California: An Economic Approach to Criminal Street
Gangs
Human Trafficking and International Response
Improvements in Education: Assessing and Utilizing Technology in the Classroom
Intersection Safety: Are Red Light Cameras the Best Option?
Is Los Angeles an Unfriendly Place to do Business? Generating Jobs in Los Angeles
Measuring Success: Academic Preparedness of LAUSD High School Students Entering the California
State University System
Millennium Development Goals and U.S. Foreign Aid
National Security Briefing: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
Policy Solutions to Prison Overcrowding in Uganda
Reining in the Dollar: Where U.S. Monetary Policy Came From and How to Fix It
Revitalizing Los Angeles: A Look at Economic Development Options
Russia and Oil and Gas Policy
South Korea-U.S. Free-Trade Agreement: A Strategic Economic and Geological Tool
The Complexities of Nation-building: Analysis of Lebanon and Bosnia
The Economic and Political Development of the Caucus Region and Its Effects on U.S.
National Security Interests
The Massachusetts Health Plan: A Prescription for a National Health Care Agenda
The Port Security Grant Program at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach
The Proper Role of Dual-Use Export Controls: A Case Analysis and Policy Outline for
Reform
The Quality of Our Teaching Workforce: Policies for Improving Teacher Quality in Our
Low-Income Urban Schools
The Suspension of Habeas Corpus: Unification of a Nation or Erosion of Civil Liberties
Tibet Under the PRC: The Best Path Toward Peace and Substantive Autonomy
US Aviation Security: The Lessons and Limitations of Israel's Aviation Security for
the U.S.
US Counterterrorism Priorities: Nuclear Security and Port Security
US-Brazil Energy Trade
US-China Relations
United States National Security Policy Towards the European Union
Unsustainable Development: California's Eminent Domain Abuse; Consequences and Remedies
Whose Crisis? Education and Gender in the United States
2009 Projects
A Green Scorecard: Shifting the Market Towards Green Products
Marine Pollution: Why the World's Oceans should not be Overlooked
Advocacy Paper for School-Based Health Centers Within Public Education
Apology Resolution to Native Americans
Bridging the Connection Between Land Use Trends and the Environment: A Tradeoffs Analysis
A Communication Plan for High-Speed Rail
Developing the Middle East Through Leadership
Early College High School Initiative in California
Environmental Justice: A New Perspective on Race and Inequality
Everyday Solar: Marketing Clean Energy to the Working Class in Los Angeles County's
Antelope Valley
Financing Sustainability: The Role of Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Promoting Sustainable
Development
Fresh Start Education: Creating Healthy Kids by Improving School Nutrition
Increasing Parent Involvement in the Santa Ana Unified School District
National Ad Campaign to Combat TIP
National Security Strategy to Europe
Red & Green: An Environmental Communications Strategy for Conservatives
Regulation versus Taxation: CAFE Standards and the Gas Tax
Stimulating the Economy Through the Forgiveness of Student Loans
Strengthening Educational Technology in American Samoa Secondary Schools
Teachers Are the Real Rock Stars: Professional Pay for Professional Educators
United States National Security Strategy for Asia
Waste: The Future
2008 Projects
American Foreign Policy Toward Africa and the Middle East
Dealing with the Rising Power of China
Ending Poverty: Education and Microfinance in Bolivia
English-Language Immersion Charter School of East Los Angeles
Increased Parent Involvement in Low-Income Schools: Reallocation of Title I Funds
Information Technology in the California Prison System
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child: Building Community in a Time of Crisis
Managing Illegal Immigrants in California Prisons
Managing the Aging Prison Population
National Security Strategy for American Interests in Saudi Arabia
Reclaiming the Native American Dream: How Online Education Will Allow Us to Fulfill
Our Dream
School Vouchers: Can They Realize Milton Friedman's Vision of Education?
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services in the California Criminal Justice System
The Challenge Russia Poses to U.S. National Interests at Home and Abroad
The National Security Strategy of the United States of America: Lebanon
The United States National Security Strategy in Syria
US National Security Strategy for Iran
2007 Projects
Deliberative Democracy
Economics of Criminal Justice Reforms
Education Policy
US Foreign Policy in the Middle East
2006 Projects
Education Reform in the 21st Century
National Security in the Middle East
Saving Lives in Disaster: Improving the Integration of Faith Communities in Disaster Response in Los Angeles
Science Technology Policies: Exploring the Widespread Impact on American Society
2005 Projects
A United States National Security Strategy for Eurasia
Higher Ed in the Red: Preserving Access to California's Community Colleges
National Security Strategy for Europe
The Past, Present, and Future of Malibu Housing
The United States Security Strategy for Asia
Title IX and Intercollegiate Athletics: Mitigating the Unintended Consequences of the Three-part Test
2004 Projects
Crisis in California: Reforming Workers' Compensation
Federal Options for Increasing the Quality of Housing Available To Low Income Households
Preventing Humanitarian Disaster In China-Combating HIV-AIDS in Yunnan China
Project Relief-Alleviating Federal Severely Distressed Public Housing
Three Years After the California Energy Crisis-A Plan to Avoid Future Shortages
2003 Projects
Recapturing Voter Intent: The Nonpartisan Primary in California
One Nation Under Threat: Securing the United States from the Entry of Terrorists
Finding Permanent Homes for Adoptable Children: Removing the Barriers to Interstate Adoption
2002 Projects
Stem Cell Research-Looking Ahead
Reshaping California's Character Education Code
On the Origin of Controversies: Improving California Science Standards for K-12 Education
Reigning in Iran: Reducing the State Sponsorship of Terrorism in the Mideast
Emerging Opportunities: A Free-Trade Framework for ASEAN and China
2001 Projects
Alleviating US Dependence on OPEC
Energy Crisis in California: Options for the Future
2000 Projects
Ending the War on Tobacco: Moving Toward a Tolerant Public Policy
Rethinking Cuba: The Maturation of United States Foreign Policy
1999 Project T