Topics

In the USA, PF uses a monthly topic, released on the first of the prior month. In China, there is a single topic each semester. A key phrase the NSDA used to describe the topics is “pulled from the headlines.” PF topics will be relevant to the current social and political context, more than likely the topic will be something currently being discussed on the news, by academics, or in the public policy. Frequently, the topic’s focus centers on the United States. There are, of course, exceptions. There may be a topic that is about UN action or a topic about a theoretical action not tied to the present moment or any specific actor. See the chapters on Case and Framework for more information.