Public Policy Formation POLITICAL SCIENCE 320 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Fall 2010 Professor: Kenneth E. Fernandez Phone: 702-895-4029 Office: Department of Political Science; Wright Hall B209 Office Hours: M 3:30-5:00 pm and T 10 to 11:30 am, or by appointment. Email: [email protected] Course Website: http://faculty.unlv.edu/kfernandez/policy.htm Class Meets: MW 1 pm – 2:15 p.m., WRI C235. Introduction: This course provides an introduction to the study of public policy formation by focusing on major emphases in the literature and providing a survey of basic public policy concepts and processes. We will look not only at the mechanics of the public policy process, but also at the various actors, those who influence or seek to influence policy, in government, business and the citizenry. We will also focus on how the field might contribute to central theoretical issues in political science, such as democracy, representation and responsiveness as well as effectiveness and efficiency. These issues often revolve around questions of who has power and what are the relationships among institutions, rules, and norms in the allocation of the advantages and disadvantages in the policy process. Course Objectives: 1: Understand the complexity of the policy process in the U.S. political system. 2. Understand political economy (rational choice) approach to the policy process and outcomes. 3. Understand why public policy (government intervention) is sometimes needed. 4. Understand the complexity of evaluating the effectiveness of a given policy. Texts: • Bickers, Kenneth and John T. Williams, Public Policy Analysis, 2001. • Dye, Thomas, Top Down Policy Making, 2001. • Kraft, Michael E., Environmental Policy and Politics 5th edition, 2010 • Other Readings (available on WebCampus in PDF format): 1) Chermak, Steven & Alexander Weiss. 1997. “The Effects of the Media on Federal Criminal Justice Policy.” Criminal Justice Policy Review 8: 323-341 2) Cochran, Clarke, et al. 2003. American Public Policy: Chapter 4 – Economic Issues: Taxing, Spending, and Budgeting 3) Glazer A. and M. Robbins. 1985. How Elections Matter: A Study of U.S. Senators. Public Choice 46: 163-172. 4) Norrander, Barbara. 2000. "The Multi-Layered Impact of Public Opinion on Capital Punishment Implementation in the American States." Political Research Quarterly 53: 771-93 5) Pape, Robert A. 2003. “The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism.” The American Political Science Review 97, 3 (August): 343-361. 6) Sabatier, Paul A. 1991. “Toward Better Theories of the Policy Process.” PS: Political Science and Politics 24, 2 (June): 147-156. Two copies of each book has been placed on 2 hour reserve at the Lied Library2Grading Policy: The value of each course component is as follows: COMPONENT DUE DATE COURSE VALUE Midterm Mon. October 4 25% Attendance/Participation N/A 10% Pop quizzes N/A 20% Paper 1pm - Wed. November 24 20% Final Exam Mon. December 6, 1-3pm 25% The assignment of letter grades is as follows: 92 < = A 80-81 = B- 67-69 = D+ 90-91 = A- 77-79 = C+ 62-66 = D 87-89 = B+ 72-76 = C 60-61 = D- 82-86 = B 70-71 = C- > 59 = F Attendance & Participation: 10% of your grade will be based on your attendance and participation. If you are habitually late, the attendance portion of your course grade will be marked down substantially Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam. They will be based on the assigned readings and lectures. Make-up exams will be arranged for emergency situations only and the reason must be documented (police report for an accident, doctor’s letter on official letterhead). In regard to the observance of a religious holiday, University policy requires students to notify the instructor about anticipated absences by the last day of late registration. Pop Quizzes: 7 pop quizzes will be given during the course. Only the highest 4 scores will be used to calculate your quiz grade which is 20% of your overall course grade. Pop quizzes cannot be made up (no exceptions). The quiz will cover only the readings assigned for that day. Research Papers: Students will write an original paper based on a topic described at the end of this syllabus. The paper should be a systematic exploration of the chosen topic (i.e. not an opinion piece). It should be at least 2500 words. Internet sources are acceptable, but should be kept to a minimum. Further information will be given during the lecture of January 26th. Papers will be graded on the mastery of the subject/topic, writing style (e.g., clarity, organization, use of citations) and grammar. UNLV has a writing center with tutors who help students of all skill levels in all disciplines. All services are free for enrolled students. The Writing Center is located at CDC 3-301 and can be reached at 895-3908. Students should also familiarize themselves with the university’s policy on plagiarism (see the undergraduate catalog). Rebelmail – By policy, faculty and staff should e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after admission to the university. Non-admitted students should contact the Student Help Desk at (702) 895-0761, in the Student Union Room 231, or by e-mail: [email protected]. See http://rebelmail.unlv.edu/ for additional information. Disability Policy: The UNLV Disability Resource Center (DRC) houses the resources for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137. Their numbers are: (702-895-0866/Voice; 702-895-0652/TDD). For additional information please visit http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.3COURSE CALENDAR: WEEK DATE TOPIC READINGS Week 1 M – August 23 Introduction to Public Policy Week 1 W – August 25 Democracy and Public Policy: the Role of Government Dye ch. 1; Bickers & Williams Ch. 1 & 2 Week 2 M – August 30 American Political Institutions & Policy Process Dye ch. 2; B&W ch. 3 Week 2 W – September 1 The Research Paper Week 3 M – September 6 Labor Day: No Class Week 3 W – September 8 Theories and Models of