By Madison Kirkpatrick
As the only university in the country to offer a History of Public Policy major, UC Santa Barbara is playing a leadership role in the field. With around 75 students interested in both the fields of history and public policy, it makes sense that this major would be wildly popular, growing in enrollment by 35 students in the past quarter. Now, in 2020, UCSB is revamping its HPP major to include a law curriculum, which is intended to help prepare future lawyers for their careers. HFA spoke with History of Public Policy chair Randy Bergstrom about the new program curriculum.
Q: Tell me about the major and its history.
A: The major was created in the 1980s by Robert Kelly. He was an early member of the department since the 1950s. A historian of political culture and politics, he created Public History. His idea was that students trained to think about public policy would be well-prepared to be policy leaders.
Q: Can you describe the current curriculum of the major and what is planned? How will the curriculum change, specifically?
A: There has always been interest in doing history of law with public policy. We now have 14 different faculty members offering courses in the current program. Students will be allowed to take any history course, including courses on social policy and international relations. Students are always interested in History of Law courses. New courses include U.S. Science Policy, A History of Social Policy in the United States, and Politics and Public Policy in the United States.
Q: What courses will be offered?
A: Topics include a thesis, research seminars, courses on social policy, capitalism/public policy, politics/public policy, international relationship, history of the president (taught by professor Alice O’Connor), issues of historical public policy. We will draw from existing courses as well, including classes ranging from grassroots activism to the history of Africa.
Q: In your opinion, is the department well-known and respected?
A: Yes! It is ranked pretty highly. The department wants to maintain its character as an innovator and has reimagined the Policy major to feature law prominently, reflecting the collection of scholarly power.
Q: Why is there the sudden addition of law?
A: It’s been thought about before. We’ve had success in placing our students in many departments, law included. Students have seen History of Public Policy as a major for law prep, similar to majors such as political science and sociology. It’s a good time to let students know that we have this program.
Q: With this change, what do you foresee can be challenges for students?
A: We want to eliminate bottlenecks for students. With that said, if the number of majors grows, it will draw in a lot of extra attention. We will have to provide more seats for students. The challenges are welcome. We must make sure our students find it attractive. Students are currently required to write a senior thesis that requires a lot of research and guidance. With growth, it will be difficult to invite students to do this thesis. We will still offer that, but a research project can also fulfill this.
UC Santa Barbara associate professor of history Randy Bergstrom announces the department is adding law to its Public Policy major.
Madison Kirkpatrick is a fourth-year Sociology major at UC Santa Barbara and an intern with the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts.