Fall 2008
Course Description:
In this course we will undertake an intensive, in-depth analysis of public policy, its relationship to politics and administration, policy analysis and policy alternatives. We will also look at selected public policies - their development, administration, effects and relationship to the broader political system from the perspectives of the policy maker and policy analyst. These include health care policy, education policy, and foreign policy and homeland security.
Course Objectives:
- Evaluate methods and materials used in policy formation and analysis
- Develop the ability to think holistically, to see the whole as well as the parts of policy formation and implementation
Course Structure:
Class meetings will include lectures, group discussions and activities, class-wide discussions, film clips, and case analysis. All students are expected to be active participants and to contribute to the explanation, evaluation, and application of course concepts. My expectations for your performance are very high, but my general approach is extremely merciful.
Required Texts:
- Introducing Public Policy, Jay M. Shafritz and Christopher P. Borick, ( 2008)
- The Policy Analyst’s Handbook, Lewis G. Irwin, (2003)
- Up in Smoke, Martha A. Derthick, (2005)
- Various readings on D2L (see schedule below)
Attendance:
Attendance will be monitored and reasonable attendance is required. Students with more than four absences will receive a reduced final grade.
Participation:
Class participation is expected. Borderline grades will be increased for those students that participate regularly.
Class Room Environment:
We will be learning about and discussing a number of topics related to public policy. There are likely to be a variety of viewpoints and opinions expressed by members of the class. Every individual and her/his ideas and opinions should be respected. In addition, a constructive learning environment requires students to refrain from actions that disrupt the learning environment for others (use of cell phones, private conversations, etc.).
Disability Resource Services:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, or hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the instructor and the Disability Resource Services Office (165 Murphy Library) at the beginning of the semester. Students who are currently using Disability Resource Services will have a copy of a contract that verifies they are qualified students with disabilities who have documentation on file in the Disability Resource Services Office.
Policy on Plagiarism:
I randomly check 10 percent of all papers turned in for plagiarism. This is generally defined as incorporating words or ideas from an outside information source into one’s written work without acknowledging the original source of the words or ideas; that is, creating the impression that the words or/and the ideas are the student’s rather than those of the source from which they have been taken. The best way to avoid committing plagiarism is to carefully note the citation to all sources of outside information that are being used in preparation of the research paper, and then to use these citations to carefully reference all of these outside sources whenever a direct quote or well-defined substance of a concept or principle from that information is being incorporated into a paper.
Any paper that exhibits plagiarism will be given the grade of “F” and may be reported to university administration.
Assignments:
Reading:
You are expected to read the assigned textbooks in preparation for class lectures and discussions. You will find the assigned readings listed on the course schedule below.
Papers:
You are required to write two papers for this course, one book review and one policy memo.
Book Review:
Each student should read the required text Up in Smoke by Martha Derthick and write a review of the book. You are allowed (encouraged) to look at other reviews of the book and to include them in your review. I will go over how to find other reviews in class. Your review should not exceed five pages (double spaced 12 pt font) and should seek to answer the following questions:
- What is the main theme/argument of the book (no more than one page!)?
- How does the book reflect the policy process as discussed in class?
- Are there parts of the tobacco case that do not reflect the policy process as discussed in class (hint: the role of litigation)?
- Do you support the main theme/argument? Why or why not? If not, what is missing? If so, what would be added to make the argument stronger?
- What other observations would you like to make about the book (i.e. did you learn anything/enjoy it)?
The Book Review is DUE Monday, October 13.
Policy Memo:
For the policy memo assignment you are required to choose a policy topic that will not be covered in class. You may choose a topic related to economic policy, welfare policy, civil liberties, energy policy, environmental policy, or various domestic policies. In other words, do not pick a topic specific to health care, education, or foreign policy. You should choose a specific topic that is of interest to you (for example, can the federal government do anything to significantly reduce the energy demand?) and write a policy memo.
A policy memo is a document that provides analysis and/or recommendations for a particular audience regarding a particular situation or problem.
Please see the handout (also on D2L) with suggestions of how to write an effective policy memo. The memo should not exceed THREE type written pages
We will discuss these policy memo topics in class the week of December 1-5 when we cover “other policy topics.” You will be expected to talk about your topic and what you learned doing this assignment.
The Policy Memo is DUE Friday, December 5.
Debates:
Each student is required to participate in ONE of three course debates. There will be one debate on universal health care, one debate on the effectiveness of No Child Left Behind, and one debate on a guest worker program for immigrants. A sign up sheet will be passed around during the first few weeks.
To prepare for the debates the participants should read the assigned course readings related to the topic AND do outside research. Each side will have 10 minutes to present their position and 5 minutes for rebuttal. The remaining time will allow for questions from the rest of the class. I will try to give students time to work in their groups during class.
Exams:
You will have 4 exams in this course. All of them will be in-class exams and the final exam will be cumulative. I will make time for review sessions during the class session directly preceding each exam.
Make-up exams are only given at my discretion. If you have to miss an exam you should contact me before that day to get permission to take a make-up exam.
Grading
Each paper is worth 45 points, the debate is worth 10 points, and each exam is worth 100 points. As noted above, attendance and participation are not directly calculated. However, excessive absences will result in a lower grade. Students who have borderline grades may increase their grade if they are active participants in the course.
Course Schedule
| Week One: September 1-5 | Introduction to the Policy Process |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Sept. 3 |
Theme: Course Introduction |
| Friday Sept. 5 |
Theme: Review of Federalism/Separation of Powers |
| Week Two: September 8-12 | The Policy Process |
| Monday Sept. 8 |
Theme: Policy Actors and the Policy Process |
| Wednesday Sept. 10 |
Theme: Policy Initiation |
| Friday Sept. 12 |
Theme: Policy Initiation |
| Week Three: September 15-19 | The Policy Process |
| Monday Sept. 15 |
Theme: Policy Estimation |
| Wednesday Sept. 17 |
Theme: Policy Selection |
| Friday Sept. 19 |
Theme: Policy Selection |
| Week Four: September 22-26 | The Policy Process |
| Monday Sept. 22 |
Theme: Policy Implementation |
| Wednesday Sept. 24 |
Theme: Policy Evaluation |
| Friday Sept. 26 | Theme: Class Cancelled |
| Week Five: September 29 – October 3 | The Policy Process |
| Monday Sept. 29 |
Theme: Policy Evaluation |
| Wednesday Oct. 1 |
Theme: Policy Termination/Change |
| Friday Oct. 3 | Theme: POLICY PROCESS EXAM |
| Week Six: October 6-10 | Health Care Policy |
| Monday Oct. 6 |
Theme: History of Health Care Policy |
| Wednesday Oct.8 |
Theme: Rising Cost of Health Care |
| Friday Oct. 10 |
Theme: Health Care Reform/Managed Care |
| Week Seven: October 13-17 | Health Care Policy |
| Monday Oct. 13 |
Theme: Up in Smoke |
| Wednesday Oct.15 |
Theme: Stem Cell Research |
| Friday Oct. 17 |
Theme: Universal Health Care |
| Week Eight: October 20-24 | Health Care Policy |
| Monday Oct. 20 |
Theme: Superbugs |
| Wednesday Oct.22 |
Theme: Patients Rights |
| Friday Oct. 24 | Theme: HEALTH POLICY EXAM |
| Week Nine: October 27-31 | Education Policy |
| Monday Oct. 27 |
Theme: History of Education Policy |
| Wednesday Oct.29 |
Theme: Student Achievement |
| Friday Oct. 31 |
Theme: No Child Left Behind |
| Week Ten: November 3-7 | Education Policy |
| Monday Nov. 3 |
Theme: Discipline in Schools |
| Wednesday Nov. 5 |
Theme: Cost of Higher Education/Financing
|
| Friday Nov. 7 |
Theme: Cost of Higher Education/Student Aid |
| Week Eleven: November 10-14 | Education Policy |
| Monday Nov. 10 |
Theme: Racial Diversity in Schools |
| Wednesday Nov. 12 |
Theme: Racial Diversity in Schools cont. |
| Friday Nov. 14 | Theme: EDUCATION POLICY EXAM |
| Week Twelve: November 17-21 | Foreign Policy |
| Monday Nov. 17 |
Theme: Foreign Policy |
| Wednesday Nov. 19 |
Theme: U.S. Policy in Iran |
| Friday Nov. 21 |
Theme: Cost of Iraq War |
| Week Thirteen: November 24-28 | Foreign Policy |
| Monday Nov. 24 |
Theme: Immigration |
| Wednesday Nov. 26 | Theme: FOREIGN POLICY EXAM |
| Friday Nov. 28 | Theme: No Class – Happy Thanksgiving |
| Week Fourteen: December 1-5 | Policy Topics |
| Monday Dec. 1 |
Theme: Other Policy Topics (to be chosen by class) |
| Wednesday Dec. 3 |
Theme: Other Policy Topics (to be chosen by class) |
| Friday Nov. 28 |
Theme: Policy Memos |
| Week Fifteen: December 8-12 | Policy Topics |
| Monday Dec. 8 |
Theme: Policy Memos |
| Wednesday Dec. 10 |
Theme: Course Wrap Up/Review for Final |
| FINAL EXAM MONDAY DECEMBER 15, 10-12 a.m. | |