- 1 - PLS 304 Introduction to Public Policy Analysis Summer II 2008 Instructor: Mark T. Imperial Classroom: LH 110 Phone: (910) 962 – 7928 Class times: M - R 10:15 – 12:20 Email: [email protected] Secretary: Katie Price (910) 962 -3220 Office Hours: R 4:00 - 6:00 & by appointment Office: LH 260 http://people.uncw.edu/imperialm/UNCW/PLS_304_Summer/PLS_304_sum.htm Course Objectives Public policy analysis is an important subject and all students considering a career in public service or who desire to participate in the political process should be well versed in the basic concepts and techniques of the discipline. The product of policy analysis is usable knowledge that informs decision makers and this advice can come in a variety of forms and is performed by a wide range of practitioners in the public, private, and nonprofit sector. This course exposes students to the art and science of policy analysis from both a philosophical and technical perspective. Students will also be exposed to the basic concepts, tools, and techniques used by analysts in today’s public and nonprofit organizations. Students will also learn how to perform a policy analysis. Specifically, the course objectives are to:  Develop your appreciation of the complexity of issues, problems and challenges associated with public policy analysis;  Enhance your ability to analyze policy problems, find creative solutions, and implement policies and programs effectively; and,  Learn how to communicate the results of your analysis to managers, decisionmakers, and the general public. These objectives will be met by exposing you to a variety of theories and concepts as well as tools and techniques derived from these theories. The course will develop your critical thinking abilities by analyzing case studies. Your oral communication skills will be enhanced through class presentations. Writing assignments will be used to improve your ability to communicate your ideas and arguments in written form. Readings The following books are required for this course and can be purchased at local bookstores or through vendors on the Internet:  Patton, Carl and David Sawicki. 1993. Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-060948-X.  Levitt, Steven D. and Stephen J. Dubner. 2006. Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything ISBN 0-06-073132-X. Harper Collins: New York, NY. Additional required and recommended readings have been placed on reserve in the library or have links on the class web site. Copies of the lecture notes and overheads used in class can also be found on the class web site. Expectations & Approach This is not a lecture-dominated class where the instructor speaks and the students passively listen. This is a seminar class where students take an active part in their learning through class discussions, group work, and case analysis. Course readings are supplemented with videos, occasional guest speakers, and other information available on the class web site. Part of your learning will be cognitive or factual in nature. However, much of what you learn in this course will involve developing your analytical skills, enhancing your self-awareness of the organizations in which you work, and sharing your professional experiences with others in the class. I encourage you to prepare yourself for, and be open to, the variety of ways that you can learn from this course.PLS 304 – Introduction to Public Policy Analysis Summer II 2008 - Imperial - 2 - Another important part of your learning involves the analysis of case studies. Case studies are compilations of problem situations actually faced by public managers. A case places you into a real world situation and forces you to sort through and analyze various issues or courses of action. I encourage you to discuss the cases with others prior to class. Course Requirements Your grade in this class will be based on your ability to understand and apply the theories discussed in the course readings. More specifically, your grade will depend on your performance on the following course requirements: Class Participation Students are expected to complete the assigned readings and come to class prepared to discuss all readings, handouts, and assignments that are due. To ensure that students are prepared to discuss the readings, I will randomly ask students to summarize a reading, describe a theory, or discuss a case. Each student should also be prepared to share with the class questions that the readings raised and be able to identify the most significant point or contribution that the author makes to the practice of public administration. While attendance will not be taken on a regular basis, poor classroom attendance may result in a failing participation grade since you cannot participate if you are not in class. Moreover, since this is a compressed summer class, each missed class will cause you to miss additional class time. Therefore, you should notify the instructor when you are unable to attend class. If you should miss a session when a video is shown, it may be possible to make arrangements to view the film privately at the library or to borrow the video. In certain circumstances it may also be possible to make-up other in-class activities with a written assignment if frequent absences have become a problem. Your participation grade will also be lowered due to the frequent inability to respond to the instructor’s questions, poor class preparation, lack of enthusiastic participation in class exercises, or the failure to treat others in the classroom with respect (e.g., talking while others are talking, ridiculing other students, etc.). Simply put, in order to receive an “A” in this class you must be a civil, active contributor to class and not merely score well on exams and assignments. Case Memos One of the ways we will examine and apply the concepts discussed in the readings is by analyzing cases contained in Part II of Patton and Sawicki’s Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. Since case analysis is essentially self-learning through simulated experience, its success depends on the lively exchange of information, ideas, and opinions during case discussions. Students must come prepared to discuss all aspects of the case, apply the concepts in the readings to the case,