Public Policy Formation POLITICAL SCIENCE 320 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Fall 2006 Professor: Kenneth E. Fernandez Phone: 702-895-4029 Office: Department of Political Science; Wright Hall B209 Office Hours: M 10-11:30am and W 3:30 to 5pm., or by appointment Email: [email protected] Website: www.unlv.edu/faculty3/kfernandez/policy.htm Class Meets: MW 8:30 – 9:45 a.m., CBC C223. 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. This course has several objectives. Students should be able to define public policy and recognize government action/inaction on behalf of citizens; identify and compare competing explanatory models; identify and place major political actors and institutional features of the policymaking process; critically assess policy initiatives and evaluate public policy, and finally, improve students’ critical thinking and writing skills. Texts: • Kenneth Bickers and John T. Williams, Public Policy Analysis, 2001. • Thomas Dye, Top Down Policy Making, 2001. • Elaine Sharp, The Sometime Connection: Public Opinion and Social Policy, 1999. • Other Readings (electronic reserves): 1) Cochran, Clarke, et al. 2003. American Public Policy: Chapter 4 – Economic Issues: Taxing, Spending, and Budgeting 2) Stella Z. Theodoulou and Chris Kofins. 2004. Defense Policy in The Art of the Game: Understanding American Public Policy Making A copy of each book has been placed on 2 hour reserve at the Lied LibraryAttendance & Participation: 15% 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. Late exams are not accepted except for emergency situations and the reason must be documented (police report for an accident, doctor’s letter for a serious illness on official letterhead). In regard to the observance of a religious holiday, University policy states that students must notify the instructor about anticipated absences by the last day of late registration to be assured the opportunity to make up missed work. Late exams will be marked down a full grade for every day (24 hour period) late. Pop Quizzes: 6 pop quizzes will be given during the course. Only the highest 3 scores will be used to calculate your quiz grad which is 15% of your overall course grade. Pop quizzes cannot be made up (no exceptions). 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 September 25th. Students should also familiarize themselves with the university’s policy on plagiarism (see page 63 in undergraduate catalog or http://www.library.unlv.edu/inst/plagiarism.html) and understand that I will recommend expulsion if I discover any academic dishonesty. Papers will be graded on the mastery of the subject/topic, writing style (e.g., clarity) and grammar. If writing is not your strongest ability UNLV has a writing center with well-trained tutors who help students of all skill levels in all disciplines. All services are free for enrolled students. The Writing Center is located at FDH 240 and can be reached at 895-3908. 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://www.unlv.edu/studentlife/drc. Grading Policy: The value of each course component is as follows: COMPONENT DUE DATE COURSE VALUE Midterm Wed. October 11 25% Attendance/Participation N/A 15% Pop quizzes N/A 15% Paper Wed. November 29 in class 20% Final Exam Wed. December 13 8-10am 25% *the remaining 10% is dedicated to class participation and attendance The assignment of letter grades is as follows: 292 < = 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 * Rounding at .5 3COURSE CALENDAR:WEEK DATE TOPIC READINGS Week 1 M – August 28 Introduction to Public Policy Week 1 W – August 30 Democracy and Public Policy: the Role of Government Bickers & Williams 1 & 2 Week 2 M – September 4 Labor Day: No Classes Week 2 W – September 6 American Policy Process Dye ch. 1, 2 Week 3 M – September 11 Institutions and Public Policy B&W ch. 3 Week 3 W – September 13 Theories and Models of Policymaking Dye ch. 3 Week 4 M – September 18 Societal Problems: Causes and Solutions B&W ch. 4, 5 Week 4 W – September 20 Societal Problems: Markets as Solutions B&W ch. 6, 7 Week 5 M - September 25 Discussion of Research Paper Week 5 W – September 27 Policy Actors: Public Officials Dye ch. 4 Week 6 M - October 2 Elections and Public Policy Paper topic due Week 6 W – October 4 Policy Actors: National Government B&W ch. 8 Week 7 M – October 9 Policy Actors: Interest Groups B&W ch. 9 & Dye Ch. 5 Week 7 W – October 11 MIDTERM Week 8 M – October 16 Policy Actors: The Media Week 8 W – October 18 The Media Cont. Dye ch. 6 Week 9 M