PLS 232 -
Section 001–
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY
Fall 2006 – Maryville College
– Three Credits - Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing
Tuesday, Thursday 9:30-10:45am (0930-1045)-
Anderson Hall 312
This course will provide you
with some tools to help turn you into…
“Lifelong citizen policy makers and policy analysts.”
There is little doubt
that you will be personally involved with many public policy issues in your
lifetime. Whether you are applying the
theories; interacting with (or becoming one of) the actors; or analyzing the
concepts used to translate values and ideas into actions by governments –
public policy will be a part of your life.
This course will help you make public policy choices with greater
alacrity and precision.
A central goal of this
course is to provide students with tools to become sophisticated citizen policy makers and policy analysts
during their lives after Maryville College.
To accomplish this task, the course will help students become thoughtful
written and oral evaluators of the actions of government organizations and
officials…in short, to become better citizens.
Focus on five themes
will aid in achieving these tasks:
1) Presentation
of public policy information: This includes the actors, actions and policy
types that exist, and new policies early 21st Century policy makers
(YOU) will address.
2) Comparison
of public policy theories:
This includes introduction to the analytic models used to compare
different public policy actions in the US and around the world.
3) Exposure
to methodological techniques and data analysis: This involves analysis of varying
qualitative and quantitative data types used in policymaking. This will include review of numerical data
such as spreadsheets and financial data; along with qualitative data from
interviews, press releases, media reports, the Internet and satellite imagery.
4) Review
of policy areas and issues:
During this section, specific examples of public policies will be
evaluated and reviewed in detail in a lively, yet civil fashion.
5) Active
learning of policy issues:
Public Policy does not occur in a vacuum; complex human and social
forces interact during any policy action.
Reflection on real-time policy issues in order to understand how to
apply them well and accurately is critical.
Texts
List, Grading, Course Requirements and the Class Schedule on next pages.
Fall 2006 – O’Gorman – MC
FREE
COPIES of USATODAY, New York Times, and Knoxville News
Sentinel are available in Fayerweather, Bartlett, Pearsons, Lloyd &
Copeland Halls – Pick on up, or bookmark these links online. BEGIN READING WHAT THE POLICYMAKERS READ!
GRADING and COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Two Policy Memos,
Three Exams, The Preparation and Participation (P&P) Grade (Which includes
Quizzes, One Oral Presentation, Homework and Attendance), and the Policy
Project
Exam
#1 on September 26th =10%
Exam
#2 on October 31st =15%
Final
Exam T December 12 @ 1pm =25%
The
Policy Project =20%
100%
Two Policy Memos (15% total – 5% First memo, 10% Second memo):
During
this course, each student will be required to type (single space) and hand in two
“policy memos” that summarize you position on a public policy issue. The memos will be one (1) page in
length. The first memo is due on Thursday
September 7th.
The First Policy Memo
will be a summary of your view in response to an opinion-editorial (“op-ed”)
article found in one of the national newspaper(s) you are reading. The memo
will state the position you take on the issue, uses data and/or other
information from the article(s) you read on the subject to validate that
position, and makes clear to the reader that although you state one position in
your memo, there are more than one positions to take on this issue. Attach the
article to your memo. After you have
completed this first memo, you will have some choice as to when you will hand
in your second memo.
The
Second Policy Memo is a summary paper of a second op-ed article from a national
newspaper, but this time it must be clearly related to one of the issues taken
from the Issues for Debate in American Public Policy reader. You may use the Issues book as one
source to help integrate the policy aspects of your op-ed article. The format of this memo is the same as the
First Memo. A works cited page and MLA
style for formatting and citations is expected for all memos. For the
Second Memo, ½ of the class will turn in the Memo on 12 October (GROUP ONE) and
the second ½ of the class will turn it in on 9 November (GROUP TWO).
Fall 2006 – O’Gorman – MC
Exams (50% Total):
The
Three Exams will be a mix of objective short answer, application and essay
questions. Exams are cumulative, with
emphasis on the portion of the course not yet examined. O’Gorman exams are “fair but long,”
according to former PLS 232 students.
Plan accordingly to budget your time.
Exams will be on 26 September, 31 October & the final on Tuesday 12
December at 1:00pm in our classroom.
The Preparation and Participation (“P&P”)
Grade (15% Total):
This grade is based upon the completion of four
activities.
The first
activity is completion of one oral presentation in which you and a
partner will present a five to 10 minute summary of a recent public policy
issue. Proper preparation, timely
information, use of public policy terms and concepts, good analysis of the
issue, and responses to questions and answers will determine the final score
for each presentation.
The second
activity consists of grades obtained from occasional unannounced quizzes
on reading and class material given throughout the session. Completing the assigned reading(s) prior to
class will insure success.
Grades from homework assignments comprise
the third activity.
The
fourth and final activity for the P & P grade comes from participation
in classroom discussion and consistent attendance. Attendance is required. This class follows Maryville College
policies on excused and unexcused absences.
In addition, the O’Gorman “RULE OF THREE” is the standard in this
classroom. This rule is that your
attendance grade (and overall grade) will be lowered if you have more than TWO
unexcused absences OF ANY TYPE in this class. Unless you take the initiative and provide profound and
verifiable reasoning for your absence (REGARDLESS OF THE REASON), missing
classes will lower your grade. This
class works best when everyone is involved!
Also please turn OFF all electronic devices (cell phones, pagers,
instant messenger services. TURN THEM
OFF and PUT THEM AWAY OUT OF SIGHT. If
your phone/device rings in class - I WILL ANSWER IT!
**The Policy Project (20% Total)**:
Each student will complete a policy
project on a topic of interest in public policy. The Policy Project will consist of the following items:
1.
(September 19th) A one page Policy Topic Précis
2.
(October 3rd) A one to two page, eight-item (minimum) Policy Portfolio.
3.
(October 24th) A two to three-page Policy Analysis outline.
4. (November
22nd) A Policy Paper of
seven to ten pages.
The
Policy Topic Précis is due on Tuesday September 19th.
The Policy Topic Précis
is a one page typed description of the CURRENT policy topic you will analyze
and review, a preliminary list of the range of sources you will use, and a
tentative thesis that you will attempt to support in your paper. “CURRENT” means the issue is being debated
this year. Be specific with your topic selection. Choosing “defense policy” is too broad an issue. Choosing “Allowing women in the US Navy to
serve on submarines” is a more focused topic.
Your thesis should state an argument (a side of the issue) that you can
support with evidence. A thesis
statement stating: “This paper will look at all sides of defense policy.” is
too vague and incorrect. A better
thesis statement is: “This paper will
show that US Navy policy preventing women from serving on submarines is
appropriate (or not) because…” is better.
It is a better statement because it is a more specific and supportable
thesis. Find a topic SOON!
Fall 2006 – O’Gorman – MC
The Policy Portfolio is due on Tuesday
October 3rd.
The Policy Portfolio is a typed,
single-spaced two (2)-page [minimum] compilation and summary of sources you
will use to analyze your issue with a short summary of how you will use each
source (a.k.a An Annotated Bibliography).
These sources can include:
articles, books, journals, WWW site material, interviews and/or other
first person information (pamphlets) and other relevant information. The typed portfolio must contain at least
one first person (interview-type) source, one WWW-Internet source, and one
scholarly (journal) source and must have AT LEAST EIGHT SOURCES with
annotations (DO NOT HAND IN COPIES OF YOUR SOURCES)
Remember
to find information that reviews various positions on an issue (not just pro
and con, but from many perspectives), general information that will provide
good background on the issue, and information showing first-person access to
policy makers working on the policy issue.
The
Policy Analysis is due on Tuesday October 24th.
The Policy Analysis
It is a two to three page typed and single spaced outline laying out the
parts you will need to complete to construct your paper, the methods you will
use (interviews, comparison of data sets), and the logic necessary to support
your thesis and to refute opposing views.
Remember to use “public policy” language when creating this memo. Describing policy actors, models and methods
of analysis will help with your paper.
One page for issue history and thesis, one page for themes and logic of
your argument, and one page for policy options will generally complete your
analysis.
The
Policy Paper is due on Tuesday November 21st.
The Policy Paper is a typed
seven to ten page double spaced paper that is the culmination of your work
during the semester. The word count on
the paper is 1,600 to 2,100 words.
This length includes ONLY the body of the paper; additional pages (works
cited or table of contents, pages) are required or necessary but do not count
toward the page length. Use of MLA
rules to format the paper is required, as is proper use of citations. Follow
the Maryville College Student Handbook to insure you are creating your work
At least 75% of the Policy Project
will be based primarily on the policy paper.
The other items (précis, portfolio and analysis) will be “double
counted;” they will comprise the remaining 25% of the grade, and will also be
entered into calculations for the P&P grade.
Readings
listed for each date below will be discussed (and quizzed) ON that date. Assignments listed are due at the beginning
of class ON the date listed.
(PP=Public Policy Text; CQ=Issues
for Debate in American Public Policy)
DATE
|
TOPIC |
READING
|
ASSIGNMENT(S) |
Question(s) |
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Thursday August 31 (Till 10:37am |
Intro to Public Policy |
Syllabus; PP Preface &
Chapter One |
Read Syllabus; Sign up for Memo Dates and Oral
P. Dates |
What happened in Public Policy over the
summer? 1/163 |
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WEEK 2 |
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Tuesday September 5 |
Public Policy Defined & In Context |
PP
Preface & Chapter One CQ “Rebuilding New Orleans” |
Bring news article to class & write out
contexts found in your article. |
What is public policy? What is a policy
context? What context is best context
to evaluate policy? Why? |
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PLS 232 |
FALL 2006 |
PAGE FIVE |
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Thursday September 7 |
Contexts & Easton & Juggling |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory_in_political_science & PP Chapter Three pp.
62-72 |
FIRST POLICY MEMO DUE |
Draw a systems theory policy model for the
policy about which you wrote today’s memo. |
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WEEK 3 |
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Tuesday September 12 |
Models –Part II |
PP
Ch Three pp. 62-72 and Reserve Reading “Models of Politics” |
Bring in two news articles and find textual
evidence of three models of public policy. |
What models did you find in these
readings? Is one model used the most
(the least)? Why? |
|
Thursday September 14 |
Models and Analysis |
PP
Ch Four & CQ “Disaster Preparedness” |
Answer the discussion questions on page 89. |
What models
were seen (& not seen) w Katrina? What’s the best cell phone policy for MC? For TN? |
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WEEK 5 |
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Tuesday September 19 |
The Federal Government |
UPP
Ch Two |
POLICY PROJECT PRECIS DUE |
What is policy capacity? What is federalism?
(Mmm…cake) |
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Thursday September 21 |
The Federal Question |
CQ “Birth-Control
Debate” & “Minimum Wage” |
Get Ready for Exam |
How do non-national governments impact birth
control & wage policy? |
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WEEK 5 |
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Tuesday September 26 |
FIRST EXAM TODAY |
FIRST
EXAM TODAY |
Based On Three UPP Chapters
& CQ Rdgs. |
First
Exam In Class Today |
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Thursday September 28 |
Policy Analysis, Process & Juggling Policy
Issues |
PP
Chapter Three pp. 72-84, Chapter Five; & CQ “Illegal Immigration” |
Write out a policy for seat belt use in
America, using a “seat belt” web site. |
Cause and Effect & Pool. Is illegal immigration the most important
crime issue in America today? Why?
Why Not? |
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WEEK 6 |
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Tuesday October 3 |
Policy Analysis |
PP
Ch Six and CQ “Domestic Energy Development” |
POLICY PROJECT PORTFOLIO DUE TODAY |
Construct a decision tree for ANWR, like the
tree found on page 168. |
|
Thursday October 5 |
Ted Lowi, Crime & Pol. Analysis |
PP
Ch Three pp. 84-91 and CQ “Identity Theft” |
Write three sentences with textual clues of
Lowi’s typologies. |
Which policy typology of Lowi describes most
public policy in America? Why? |
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WEEK 7 |
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Tuesday October 10 |
Health, Contexts & “Priv-Brid? |
PP
Chapter Eight |
Find a Health Policy data table online. |
What other public policies impact US Health
policy? What’s “Priv-Brid” mean? |
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Thursday October 12 |
Health, Safety & Fear |
CQ
“Drug Safety” & “Avian Flu Threat” |
Look at www.cdc.gov
GROUP ONE DUE |
Which health issue is more important? Why? GROUP ONE MEMO DUE |
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WEEK 8 |
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Tuesday October 17 |
Welfare Policy |
PP
Chapter Nine CQ
“Upward Mobility” |
Answer the questions on page 288? |
What does “being poor,” mean to policy makers?
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PLS 232 |
FALL 2006 |
PAGE SIX |
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Thursday October 19 |
Social Security? |
CQ “Upward Mobility” |
Write out three Lowi Policy examples for each CQ
reading. |
How will you fund your retirement years? |
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WEEK 9 |
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Tuesday October 24 |
Education Policy |
PP
Chapter 10 |
POL.
ANALYSIS DUE TODAY |
Is US health care a right or privilege? |
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Thursday October 26 |
Grading Education Policies |
CQ “Head Start” & “No Child Left Behind” |
Bring in one data chart on education. |
How should schools be financed? By whom? 2nd EXAM ON TUESDAY!! |
WEEK 10
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Tuesday October 31 |
SECOND EXAM TODAY |
SECOND EXAM TODAY |
Based Upon UPP Chapters … |
Second
Exam In Class
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Thursday November 2 |
Econ Policy I, & your future |
PP
Chapter Seven |
Find a WWW Economic fact for your hometown. |
What is America’s most important economic
issue? |
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WEEK 11 |
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Tuesday November 7 |
Econ Policy II, Taxes, & your future |
PP
Chapter Seven & CQ “Pension Crisis” |
http://www.budgetsim.org/nbs/
- Go to site, & look around |
Should the government make economic
policies? When? Why?
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Thursday November 9 |
Budgetary Policy |
Work on Budget Simulation web site GROUP
TWO DUE |
Did you Balance the Budget? GROUP TWO
MEMO DUE |
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WEEK 12 |
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Tuesday November 14 |
Public Policy & the Planet |
PP Chapter 11 |
Work on Budget Simulation web site |
Is the planet doing better or worse than 37
years ago? |
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Thursday November 16 |
Environmental Policy II |
CQ
“Climate Change” |
Write out five things MC
could do to help the environment? |
How much does cleaner air in East TN impact
health costs in Maryville? |
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WEEK 13 |
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Tues 21 Nov |
Energy Policy |
Reading TBD! |
THE POLICY PAPER IS DUE TODAY. |
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Thursday 23 November |
NO
CLASSES – Thanksgiving Break
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! |
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WEEK 14 |
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Tuesday November 28 |
National Security |
PP Chapter 12 |
Find a Foreign Policy or Defense Web Site |
What is the top threat to the United States
today? |
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Thursday November 30 |
Homeland Security |
CQ “War In Iraq” |
Find a National Security web site |
Should American troops withdraw from Iraq? |
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WEEK 15 |
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Tuesday December 5 |
Global
Public Policy |
Reserve Reading:
“Friedman Article” PP Chapter 13 |
Find globalization in YOUR world. |
Why does Friedman think the world is “flat”
today? |
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Thursday December 7 |
FINAL CLASS
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What policy will YOU make? |
Evaluations & Final Exam Preparation |
Good luck on Finals - have a great holiday
season!J |
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THE FINAL EXAM – Cumulative
exam w focus on final 1/3rd of class Tuesday 12 December – 1:00
pm |
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