Public Policy Formation POLITICAL SCIENCE 320 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Spring 2006 Professor: Kenneth E. Fernandez Phone: 895-4029 Office: Department of Political Science; Wright Hall B209 Office Hours: TR 10 - 11:30 a.m., or by appointment Email: [email protected] Website: https://webctce.unlv.edu/webct/public/home.pl Class Meets: Online 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 (available on electronic reserves and WebCT): 1) Cochran, Clarke, et al. 2003. American Public Policy: Chapter 4 – Economic Issues: Taxing, Spending, and Budgeting (Lied Library Electronic Reserves) 2) Stella Z. Theodoulou and Chris Kofins. 2004. Defense Policy in The Art of the Game: Understanding American Public Policy Making Copies of the texts are available at the UNLV bookstore. A copy of each book has been placed on 2 hour reserve at the Lied LibraryParticipation: 5% of your grade will be based on your participation in the discussion board. Further information on the discussion board will be provided at the beginning of the semester. It will be your responsibility to check the discussion board on a regular basis. 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 (January 23) 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. Quizzes: 6 quizzes will be given during the course which will count for 15% of your overall course grade. They will usually be posted on a Wednesday. It is your responsibility to continually log into WebCT to check for quizzes and announcements. 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. Students should also familiarize themselves with the university’s policy on plagiarism (see page 58 in undergraduate catalog or www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/.) 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 Monday, Feb. 28/Due March 1 - Noon 30% Participation N/A 5% Quizzes TBA 15% Paper FRIDAY. April 28 by 10am 20% Final Exam Tues. May 2/Due May 9 - Noon 30% *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 COURSE CALENDAR:WEEK DATE TOPIC READINGS Week 1 January 17 Introduction to Public Policy Bickers & Williams ch. 1 & 2 Week 2 January 24 The Political Economy Approach to Policy Dye ch. 1, 2, 3 Week 3 January 31 Democracy, Political Institutions and Public Policy B&W ch. 3 Week 4 February 7 Societal Problems: Causes and Solutions B&W ch. 4, 5 Week 5 February 14 Societal Problems: Markets as Solutions B&W ch. 6, 7 Week 6 February 21 Discussion of Research Problem Week 7 February 28 Policy Actors: Public Officials & Elections Dye ch. 4 MIDTERM Due by Noon 3/1/06 Week 8 March 7 Policy Actors: National and State Government B&W ch. 8 & 10 March 14 SPRING BREAK Week 9 March 21 Policy Actors: Interest Groups B&W ch. 9 & Dye Ch. 5 Week 10 March 28 Policy Actors: The Media Dye ch. 6 Week 11 April 4 Public Opinion and Policy: the Sometime Connection Dye Ch. 7; Sharp Ch. 1 Week 12 April 11 Morality Policy: Criminal Justice; Pornography; Abortion Sharp Ch. 2, 4, 5 Week 13