PLSC 497, Public Policy and Agenda-Setting Penn State University Fall Term, 2005, MW 4:15-5:30 Room 067 Willard Building Prof. Frank Baumgartner Office: 227 Pond Building Phone: 863 8978 Email: [email protected] Web site: http://polisci.la.psu.edu/faculty/Baumgartner/welcome.htm Office hours: M, W, 3:00-4:15 and by appointment This course will focus on the politics of public policy and agenda-setting. We will discuss the major policy activities of the US federal government with particular attention to how issues have risen and fallen on the national political agenda over time. Students will make extensive use of the resources available at www.policyagendas.org which allows users to trace attention to hundreds of different topics from 1947 to present. Lectures and discussions will also be largely based on these resources. Readings will include general treatments of public policy as well as specialized readings focusing on agenda-setting. Students will do significant writing and each will engage in an original research project using the resources available through the policy agendas project web site. The class will consist of some lectures and computer-based presentations, but it is designed to allow for significant student questioning and discussion. So come to class ready to discuss things; if things are confusing, come with questions. Be prepared to be called on in class. Avoid that by coming prepared to say things on your own initiative. In any case, there will be a lot of discussion in class, not so many straight lectures. Assignments and grading: Short assignments: 3 x 5 = 15 % Two in-class exams: 2 x 20 = 40 % Final paper: 30 % Class participation: 15 % Total: 100% (Note: Class participation counts 15 percent. That’s a full grade-and-a-half. Class participation means showing up, doing the readings before class, asking relevant questions, and participating in discussions. It is important; don’t take it lightly.) Readings for purchase, available at campus bookstore: • Kraft, Michael E., and Scott Furlong. 2004. Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Press.Prof. Baumgartner Agenda-Setting Fall 2005 2• Bosso, Christopher J. 2005. Environment, Inc. From Grassroots to Beltway. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas. • Jones, Bryan D., and Frank R. Baumgartner. 2005. The Politics of Attention: How Government Prioritizes Problems. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (Note that this book is not available yet but should be in the bookstore by the time we need it in class, later in the semester.) Note: I am the co-author of one of the required books. This borders on the obnoxious, I know; sorry about that. However, I don’t mind criticism and feel free to rip it apart if you don’t like it. By the nature of the course, however, you’ll see that the book links closely with the web site you are going to become familiar with. I do receive (modest) royalties on the book, and I will refund that to each student registered in the class at the midterm. Unfortunately, this is only fifty cents per student… You’ll get your fifty cents if you are still registered at the midterm. Term paper assignment: During the semester you will learn how to use the data from the agendas project web site. This will provide the background you need to do your own independent research project concerning a great number of possible term paper projects. Most of you will likely choose to analyze the development of a given policy, such as energy, education, health care, or defense over time, from 1947 to present, using the Agendas Project datasets as the main data source for your analysis. (You will need to supplement this with bibliographic material and relevant statistical indicators specific to your case.) Others may choose a different type of topic, such as an analysis of the distribution of federal government spending over time, across all policy areas. In any case, you should work on choosing your topic early, in the first 4 weeks of the semester, and keep in touch with me about your progress and plans. Papers should be at least 15 pages, double spaced, not counting figures and tables, which should be presented in an appendix.Prof. Baumgartner Agenda-Setting Fall 2005 3Please note the following announcements concerning University policies. Academic Dishonesty1 The Department of Political Science, along with the College of the Liberal Arts and the University, takes violations of academic dishonesty seriously. Observing basic honesty in one’s work, words, ideas, and actions is a principle to which all members of the community are required to subscribe. All course work by students is to be done on an individual basis unless an instructor clearly states that an alternative is acceptable. Any reference materials used in the preparation of any assignment must be explicitly cited. In an examination setting, unless the instructor gives explicit prior instructions to the contrary, whether the examination is in-class or take-home, violations of academic integrity shall consist of any attempt to receive assistance from written or printed aids, or from any person or papers or electronic devices, or of any attempt to give assistance, whether the one so doing has completed his or her own work or not. Other violations include, but are not limited to, any attempt to gain an unfair advantage in regard to an examination, such as tampering with a graded exam or claiming another’s work to be one’s own. Violations shall also consist of obtaining or attempting to obtain, previous to any examinations, copies of the examination papers or the questions to appear thereon, or to obtain any illegal knowledge of these questions. Lying to the instructor or purposely misleading any Penn State administrator shall also constitute a violation of academic integrity. In cases of a violation of academic integrity it is the policy of the Department of Political Science to impose appropriate penalties that are consistent with University guidelines. Disabilities The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities and is committed to the policy that all people shall have equal access to programs, facilities, and admissions without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications