Syllabus/MPA 550 Dr. Robert Schneider

Public Institutions and Processes Office: 243 Dial Bldg.

Phone: 521-6445

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

James E. Anderson, PUBLIC POLICYMAKING, 5^th ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2003

Jeffery D. Greens, CITIES AND PRIVATIZATION, Prentice Hall, 2002

Eugene Bardach, A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO POLICY ANALYSIS, Chatham House, 2000

COURSE DESCRIPTION/ PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND PROCESSES

This course is designed as a generic seminar in public policy analysis. Its intent is to introduce the beginning public management practitioner to the institutional policy process and to build policy analysis skills.

The term “policy analyst” once implied a “wonkish” professional who worked in a large governmental bureaucracy or a policy “think-tank.” The image was that of one who turned out highly technical projections of policy impacts for one or more policy alternatives and served them up to some undersecretary of planning or a paying special interest client. But policy analysis is also increasingly a part of the day-to-day management work in most public, non-profit, and for profit organizations. A basic understanding of the policy process and the cultivation of basic policy analytic skills have become a practical necessity for planning, budgeting, program design, program management, program evaluation, public relations, and a host of other management related functions.

During your study this semester, you will examine the policy process from several perspectives and contexts. You will also have the opportunity to use and evaluate different approaches to public policy analysis. It is intended that this activity will enable you to understand the utility of such approaches for your future work as public managers.

This course will begin with a basic introduction to the policy process, including a number of concepts and models developed in the political science that help describe and explain the processes of political decision making. A second component of this course will be the application of these concepts and models to the discussion and evaluation of several specific policy areas. The Third and final component of this course will provide and implement a practical guide for policy analysis that should be of practical value for your future work in this field. This component will culminate with your effort to produce a policy report. This will be your chance to do some real analysis on a topic you select based on personal interest and/or work related experience.

COURSE OUTLINE

Jan. 9 INTRODUCTION TO COURSE

Jan. 16             POLICY ANALYSIS: WHAT GOVERNMENTS DO (Anderson Ch. 1 and Bardach, Intro.)
Jan. 23             POLOICYMAKING ENVIRONMENT ( Anderson Ch.2)
Jan. 30             POLICY FORMULATION (Anderson, Ch.3 and Distribution of Policy Report Assignment Sheet)
Feb. 6              PRACTICAL POLICY ANALYSIS (Bardach, 1-46)
Feb. 13            POLICY ADOPTION (Anderson, Ch.4 and written assignment)
Feb. 20            BUDGETING AND POLICY (Anderson, Ch.5)
Feb. 27            Midterm Exam
Mar. 6              Spring Break
Mar. 13            POLICY IMPLEMENTATION (Anderson, Ch. 6 and assignment)
Mar. 20            GATHERING DATA FOR POLICY RESEARCH (Bardach, 47-70 and assignment)
Mar. 27            POLICY IMPACT EVALUATION (Anderson, Ch.7)
Apr. 3              PUBLIC GOODS AND PRIVATIZATION (Greens, Ch. 1-3)
Apr. 10             PUBLIC GOODS AND PRIVATIZATION (Green, Ch. 4-5)
Apr. 17             POLICY EVALUATION (Journal Article)
Apr. 24             DISCUSSION OF STUDENT POLICY REPORTS (Final Policy Reports Due)
May   1             Final Exam
May 8              FINAL MEETING/REVIEW

CLASS MEETINGS

Class attendance is mandatory and all necessary absences must be cleared in advance where possible. Each class session will combine the presentation of material by the professor (lecture, powerpoint, etc.) with seminar participation by students. In addition to the discussion or readings and topics, students will be given several simulations to implement throughout the semester.

POLICY REPORT PROJECT

A policy report consisting of an executive summary, problem assessment, recommendations, and supporting data/information will be the major research project for this course. It will count as 50% of your semester grade. Specific instructions for this project, including style format and due dates for topic submission, preliminary submission of materials, and final project submission will be distributed in class. DO NOT MISS ANY DUE DATES on this assignment.