Public Policy
Course Title: Public Policy and Communications in Washington, D.C.
Day & Time: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
This course examines the relationship between public policy and communications in Washington, D.C., focusing on how power is built, contested, and exercised in the nation’s capital. It analyzes how policymakers, advocates, and businesses shape policy through strategic messaging, media engagement, and public narrative. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between political actors, news media, and social media in framing issues, mobilizing opinion, and determining whose voices and interests define the policy agenda. The course features guest lectures from senior Washington practitioners, field visits to notable D.C. institutions, and writing assignments that produce two polished pieces for students’ professional portfolios.
Jasneet Hora
Jasneet Hora is a policy advisor who has worked with leaders on some of Washington’s most consequential challenges, including the governance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He previously served as deputy director of speechwriting for Vice President Kamala Harris and as a speechwriter and advisor to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Across both roles, he wrote on the governance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in political economy from UC Berkeley, where he spent a happy summer living at the UC Washington Center.
