My favorite class this quarter: Analytical Politics I

One of the most interesting classes I have taken thus far is Analytical Politics I, taught by professor Ethan Bueno de Mesquita. From analyzing a simple game of chicken all the way to terrorist attacks on airports, I learned not only how to use quantitative models and game theory to determine how people make decisions in response to others, but also to analyze the resulting impacts on the greater good.

This class was challenging because the material was brand new and not traditionally taught in my undergraduate setting, but the professors for this course are very engaging and in tune with their students. Ethan especially took the time to restate unfamiliar concepts and recognized when our faces were blank stares of confusion! However, with a little help from my friends, the Harper Library, and endless dry erase boards and markers, I was soon able to grasp the concepts and identify real-life social dilemmas around me.

Although this is a required course for first-year students, this is definitely one that all students from many policy interests can get excited about. As a future policy practitioner, I now have the foundational skills to analyze policies that may improve social welfare and, more importantly, how to address those whose welfare was not improved after the policy was implemented. My experience with this class was great and I look forward to expanding these skills in AP II this quarter!

Learn more about Laurel's experience as a second year MPP student, and how her core classes set her up for success here!