PPA 670 Seminar in Public Policy Office: Rm. ET 250Issue Analysis – HYBRID CLASS Ph. (562)985-5634 or (562)985-4178Instructor: Dr. John Ostrowski E-mail jostrow@csulb.eduTues. 4:00 - 6:45 P.M., Thurs. Virtual Class Office Hours: Tues. 3:00 – 4:00 PM,Code 8224 sect. 3 SPA 112 and by appointmentFall Semester, 2009 (Oct. 27)

SYLLABUS

PURPOSE The purpose of this course is introduce students in the MPA program to the theories and techniques of policy analysis. The course is designed to both promote an understanding of the theories and approaches to policy analysis and help the student to acquire a working knowledge of the skills involved in the practice of policy analysis.

STRUCTURE This course is structured as a hybrid class. This means that there are two types of class sessions each week. On Tuesday evenings there will be a traditional, in-class lecture/discussion session. While the second session is nominally scheduled for Thursdays, it will actually be a virtual class that students may participate in at any time during the specified time period. STUDENTS IN THIS COURSE MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET AND ACCESS TO BEACHBOARD. The core of the course follows the policy analysis cycle from the recognition that a policy problem exists through defining that problem, developing alternative solutions, analyzing alternatives, and selecting a policy option to policy implementation and evaluation. In addition, the course makes use of several case studies that allow application of the analytical techniques under discussion to actual policy problems.

ASSUMPTIONS Policy analysis is a field that requires both a careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of the political constraints and consequences of policy options. This course assumes that students have a solid working knowledge of public administration theory and a good understanding of the political processes that impact political decision making at both federal and state/local levels. REQUIREMENTS Each student will be required to demonstrate both a working knowledge of the skills involved in policy analysis and an understanding of the theoretical foundations of the discipline and its applications. Each student will be required to complete a policy case study, fully participate in class discussions, complete Internet-based assignments and a web-based journal (blog) and successfully complete a comprehensive final exam.Incompletes are not normally given. If professional travel requires the missing of a class session, see the instructor prior to the class to be missed. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all written assignments are handed in on time. Make-up exams will be given only upon receipt of a verified substantial medical excuse. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor of any disability-related requests for modification to course requirements sufficiently in advance of the due date to facilitate alternative arrangements.

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All University policies regarding plagiarism, cheating, receipt of outside assistance, and use of a term paper for more than one course must be observed.Withdrawals from the class made through an Administrative drop will be graded as a “W” (withdrawal.) Students who stop attending the course, do not complete the course requirements and do not administratively withdraw will be graded with a “WU” (withdrawal – unauthorized) which translates into an “F” for the course on the transcript. University policy precludes graduate students from re-taking a course in which a grade of “F” is received.

PROFICIENCY ELEMENTS

Exam. There will be one exam in this course: a comprehensive final. The exam will be take-home. Exam format will consist of essay and short-answer questions. A sample exam is available on my web site.

Policy Case Study. The required paper for this class is a case study analysis of a real-world policy issue. The case study to be used is found on library E-Reserves. The case study analysis is designed to prepare students for the capstone PPA697 class. Details of this paper are presented at the end of the syllabus. This paper is due as noted in the syllabus.. Note: This assignment is to be included in the Learning Portfolio.

Assignments This class will be conducted partially via a web-based learning environment. Students are required to participate in the web discussions and complete all web-based assignments. Instructions for completing web-based assignments will be covered in the first class meeting. Additional assignments may be made by the instructor.

Policy Journal. In lieu of a traditional mid-term exam, this class will utilize a web-based policy journal (often referred to as a “blog”). Each student will be required to make 2 journal entries and comment on at least 4 journal entries made by other students in the class. The journal will be kept in the BeachBoard web environment. Details on this assignment are provided at the end of this syllabus.

Grading Grades for this course will be based on the issue paper, assignments, policy journal and final exam. A points break-down and grading summary

GRADING SUMMARYCase Study 100 pts.Assignments (max. possible) 300 pts.Policy Journal 100 pts.

Final Exam 100 pts. Total 600 pts.Grades for the class are based on a percentage of total points actually utilized in class (may be less than the total noted above.) A= 90 – 100%, B = 80 – 89%, C= 70 – 79%, D = 60 – 69%, F = below 60%

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Use of academic technology in this classThis course makes use of several forms of academic technology, including the web, e-reserves and BeachBoard. Students are required to use of this technology to fulfill the requirements for this course. To participate in the academic technology elements of this course, students must have access to, and be able to use:

A computer, equipped with Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or newer and word-processing software capable of reading Microsoft Word XP files.

The internet. Specifically, the World Wide Web. Whatever internet service provider is used must be capable of accessing Web pages, BeachBoard and Acrobat files.

An account on BeachBoard.

Computers are available to students on campus at the Horne Computing Center. Additionally, limited access may be available in the Center office. All e-assignments will be posted in BeachBoard. E-assignments may involve BeachBoard, CSULB library e-reserves and files downloaded from the instructor’s web site. Students are responsible for completing e-assignments on time and submitting material as specified in the assignment. If there is a failure of campus technology/access, the instructor will notify students of the specific alternative methods for assignment completion. Failure of a student’s computer does not relieve the student from the responsibility of completing the e-assignment by the assigned deadline.On-line assignments will be graded by both participation and quality of participation as indicated in the specific assignment. Point values are assigned in each assignment. The instructor will monitor all on-line submissions for compliance with University policies and assignment requirements. All University and Center policies regarding cheating, plagiarism and multiple submissions of the same work apply to all e-assignments.

Texts: All texts are required. Bardach, Eugene. A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis. 3rd. Edition.Kraft, Michael and Scott Furlong. Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. 2nd. Edition

Supplemental Course Materials (these materials will be placed in the Course Documents section of BeachBoard)

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E-Reserves. The following are on e-reserve at the CSULB library. Instructions for accessing e-reserves will be provided the first class. All e-reserve assignments are required.

Dunn, William, Public Policy Analysis, An Introduction, Chapter 5: Structuring Policy Problems.Starling, Grover, The Politics and Economics of Public Policy: an Introductory Analysis with Cases, Chapter 6: Developing a Range of AlternativesGupta, Dipak, Analyzing Public Policy: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques, Chapter 13: The Elements of Strategic Thinking: Decision Tree and Game TheoryBrewer, Garry and Peter DeLeon, The Foundations of Policy Analysis, Chapter 7: Estimation and Selection are DifferentQuade, Edward, Analysis for Public Decisions, Chapter 19: ImplementationDye, Thomas, Understanding Public Policy, Chapter 14: Policy Evaluation

Additional Policy Sources:Web Sites:

RAND http://www.rang.ord

North American Public Policy News

http://www.public-policy.org

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Mgmt.

http://www.appam.org

List of school of public policy

http://www.fsu.edu/~spap/orgs/pschool.html

Brookings Institute http://www.brookings.org/dybdocroot/

Institute of Governmental Studies

http://www.igs.berkeley.edu:8880/library/gallery-us.html

Links to issues sites http://www.politicalinformation.com

Policy analysis tutorial http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppae/ppae1.html

American Political Science Assoc.

http://www.apsapolicysection.org/links.html

American Enterprise Institute

http://www.aei.org/

Careers in public policy http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/career/links.html

Texts:

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Anderson, James. Public Policymaking: An Introduction

Anton, Thomas. American Federalism and Public Policy: How the System Works

Bardach, Eugene. The Implementation GameBaumgartner, Frank & Bryan Jones. Agendas and Instability in American PoliticsBirkland, Thomas. An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy MakingBobrow, Davis & John Drysek. Policy Analysis by DesignDavis, David. How the Bureaucracy Makes Foreign PolicyDery, David. Problem Definition in Policy AnalysisDror, Yehezkel. Public Policymaking ReexaminedDunn, William. Public Policy Analysis: An IntroductionDye, Thomas. Understanding Public PolicyEdwards, George. Implementing Public PolicyFischer, Frank. Evaluating Public PolicyFormaini, Robert. The Myth of Scientific Public PolicyGilmour, Robert & Alexis Halley, Who Makes Public Policy?Goldwin, Robert. Bureaucrats, Policy Analysts, Statesmen: Who Leads?

Goggin, M, A. Bowman, J. Lester, & L. O’Toole. Implementation Theory and Practice

Gramlich, Edward. A Guide to Benefit-Cost AnalysisHarvey, Averch. Private Markets/Public Intervention

Ham, Christopher & Michael Hill. The Policy Process in the Modern Capitalist State

Haveman, Robert & Julius Margolis. Public Expenditure and Policy AnalysisHawkesworth, M.E. Theoretical Issues in Policy AnalysisHayes, Michael. Incrementalism and Public Policy

Heineman, R., W. Bluhm, S. Peterson, & E. Kearny. The World of the Policy Analyst

Hofferbert, Richard. The Reach and Grasp of Policy AnalysisHogwood, Brian & B. Guy Peters. Policy DynamicsHoos, Ida. Systems Analysis in Public Policy

House, Peter & Roger Shull. The Practice of Policy Analysis: Forty Years of Art & Technology

Jenkings-Smith, Hank. Democratic Politics and Policy AnalysisKingdon, John. Agendas, Alternatives, and Public PoliciesLevy, John. Essential Microeconomics for Public Policy AnalysisLindblom, Charles. Inquiry and Social ChangeLindblom, Charles. The Policy-Making Process

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Lowi, Theodore. The End of Liberalism: The Second Republic of the United States

MacRae, Duncan & Dale Whittington. Expert Advice for Policy Choice: Analysis and Discourse

MacRae, Duncan & James Wilde. Policy Analysis for Public Decisions

Majone, Giandomenico. Evidence, Argument, and Persuasion in the Policy Process

Meltsner, Arnold. Policy Analysts in the BureaucracyNagel, Stuart. Policy Studies: Integration and EvaluationNay, Joe & Peg Kay. Government Oversight and Evaluability AssessmentParis, David & James Reynolds. The Logic of Policy InquiryPark, Myung Soo. Public Policy: Emerging Dimensions in Public AdministrationPatton, Carl & David Sawicki. Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and PlanningPeters, Guy. American Public Policy: Promise and PerformancePoister, Theodore. Public Program Analysis

Putt, Allen & J. Fred Springer. Policy Research: Concepts, Methods, and Applications

Quade, Edward S. Analysis for Public DecisionsPressman, Jeffrey & Aaron Wildavsky. ImplementationRhoads, Steven. The Economist’s View of the WorldRipley, Randall & Grace Franklin. Bureaucracy and Policy ImplementationRivlin, Alice. Systematic Thinking for Social ActionRochefort, David & Roger Cobb. The Politics of Problem DefinitionRosen, Harvey. Public FinanceRossi, Peter. Evaluation: A Systematic ApproachSabatier, Paul. Theories of the Policy ProcessSchmid, A. Allan. Benefit-Cost Analysis: A Political Economy ApproachSchulman, Paul. Large-Scale Policy MakingStarling, Grover. The Politics and Economics of Public PolicyStoker, Robert. Reluctant Partners: Implementing Federal PolicyStokey, Edith & Richard Zeckhauser. A Primer for Policy AnalysisStone, Deborah. Policy Paradox and Political ReasonStone, Deborah. Policy Paradox and the Art of Political Decision MakingTheodoulou, Stella and Matthew Cahn. Public Policy: The Essential ReadingsTong, Rosemarie. Ethics in Policy AnalysisWeimer, David & Aidan Vining. Policy Analysis: Concepts and PracticeWholey, Joseph. Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation

Wildavsky, Aaron. Speaking Truth to Power: The Art and Craft of Policy Analysis

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTSKey: B = Bardach K&F = Kraft & Furlong S = Supplement

CLASS DATE TOPICTues. Oct 27 A Framework for Public Policy Analysis

Objectives:1. To define course procedures, requirements and expectations.2. To define the environment of public policy.3. To integrate policy analytical approaches.4. To overview the roles of policy actors and institutions.

Assignment: B Part I – The Eightfold Path, pg. 1 – 59Assignment: K&F Chs. 1, 2, 4

Thurs. Oct. 29 BeachBoard #1 – Recognizing Public Policy IssuesObjectives:1. Gain experience in recognizing policy issues.2. Learn the difference between public and private policy issues.

Assignment: B – Appendix B, K&F Chs. 5, 7BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Nov. 3 Defining Policy IssuesObjectives:1. To overview the dimensions of policy issues and understand the role

of research.2. to understand the role of politics in defining policy issues.3. To review how to formalize a policy problem.

Assignment: K&F ch. 3, Dunn, William, Public Policy Analysis, An Introduction, Chapter 5: Structuring Policy Problems.Initial Skills Assessment due.

Thurs. Nov. 5 BeachBoard #2 – Defining Policy IssuesObjectives:1. To gain practice in defining public policy issues.2. To gain practice in assessing the role of politics in the problem

definition process.

Assignment: K&F ch 8 – Healthcare PolicyBeachBoard Assignment

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Tues. Nov. 10 Agenda-setting/ Developing Alternative Policy SolutionsObjectives:1. To understand the role of agenda-setting in the policy process.2. To explore processes for developing alternatives.

Assignment: B – Part II pg. 61 – 89, , Starling, Grover, The Politics and Economics of Public Policy: an Introductory Analysis with Cases, Chapter 6: Developing a Range of Alternatives** 1st. Web Journal Due.**

Thurs. Nov. 12 BeachBoard #3 – Agendas and AlternativesObjectives:1. To apply concepts in agenda-setting2. To gain experience in developing policy alternatives.

Assignment: K&F Ch. 10 -- Education PolicyBeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Nov. 17 Analyzing AlternativesObjectives:1. To overview models of alternative analysis.2. To assess appropriate techniques for analyzing alternatives

Assignment: B Part III pg. 91 – 105, K&F ch. 6. Shermer, Game Theory – Doping in Sports (in course documents on BB)

Thurs. Nov. 19 BeachBoard #4 – Analyzing AlternativesObjectives:1.          To understand strategic thinking in alternative assessment2.          To apply analytical techniques to policy alternatives

Assignment: Gupta, Dipak, Analyzing Public Policy: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques, Chapter 13: The Elements of Strategic Thinking: Decision Tree and Game TheoryBeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Nov. 24 Economic Analysis – Cost/Benefit AnalysisObjectives:1. To survey economic models used in policy analysis2. To examine the use of cost/benefit analysis in policy analysis3. To examine the use of Net Present Value Analysis in policy analysis

Assignment: BeachBoard materials

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Tues. Dec. 1 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis/ Policy SelectionObjectives:1. To understand the application of CEA in policy analysis2. To overview selection approaches for policy alternatives

Assignment: Brewer, Garry and Peter DeLeon, The Foundations of Policy Analysis, Chapter 7: Estimation and Selection are Different** Second Web Journal due**

Thurs. Dec. 3 BeachBoard #5 – Selecting PoliciesObjectives:1. To develop an understanding of policy selection techniques.2. To gain experience in applying selection techniques to a policy issue.

Assignment: K&F ch. 9 – Welfare PolicyBeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Dec. 8 Implementation/EvaluationObjectives:1. To gain an understanding of the role of implementation in the policy

process.2. To review strategies and techniques for policy evaluation.

Assignment: Quade, Edward, Analysis for Public Decisions, Chapter 19: Implementation. Dye, Thomas, Understanding Public Policy, Chapter 14: Policy Evaluation**Policy Issue Paper Due** **Final Exam Distributed**

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Thurs. Dec. 10 BlackBoard #7 – Implementation/EvaluationObjectives:1. To review practices in policy implementation and evaluation2. To apply evaluation strategies to a policy issue

Assignment: K&F ch. 12BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Dec. 15 **Final Exam due** Due by 4:15 PM.

All Assignments are Tentative and Subject to Change

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Case Study Analysis Instructions

You are to prepare a case analysis of the “Public Policy Analysis: Northern Sphere Municipal Utility” which is located on E-Reserves. The materials for the case study are located in two files and a folder. The case analysis is to cover all of the elements noted below. It is not necessary to utilize additional resources for the case analysis but all material used in the case analysis must be properly cited. The case analysis should be from 8 – 10 pages. (100 pts.)

Papers must follow the format below. Sections must be clearly noted.

Section One: Problem/Issue Statement: The problem/issue section will focus on the policy problem or issue central to the case study.

Discuss the reasons for and evolution of the policy issue. Define the issue in terms of critical dimensions/boundaries.

Section Two: Stakeholders: Identify and discuss each of the major stakeholders for this issue.

Clearly describe each stakeholder’s position on the issue. Assess their overall influence in the selection of a policy option

Section Three: Issue Formalization. This section should focus on analytical elements that assist in formalizing the policy issue for resolution.

Discuss the structural complexity of the issue and how that is determined in the case study.

Analyze the policy agenda for the issue and discuss the role of government in agendizing this issue as well as the significant policy actors in the agenda-setting process.

Identify the formal policy issue.

Section Four: Policy Alternatives: This section should include a narrative explaining each policy alternative. Be specific.

Discuss the source of each alternative. Detail all stakeholders supporting and opposing the alternative and why they are

taking their position. Discuss measurable outcomes that may be identified, and assess costs identified

with each alternative.

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Section Five: Alternative Assessment: this section should focus on the approaches and techniques used to analyze the alternatives.

Discuss how economic analysis is incorporated into the alternative assessment. What techniques are used and what are the major conclusions.

Beyond economic analysis, what other analytical approaches are used in the case to assess the policy alternatives? How effective are they?

Section Six: Conclusion/Recommendation: This section is designed to pull together a summary of the pros/cons of each alternative. It can be presented as a recommendation for one alternative over another, or an overall summary of the benefits and drawbacks of the alternatives based on the assessment criteria used in the case study.

Style: The style used for this paper is to be the APA (American Psychological Association) in-text citation method. Papers must be typed or word-processed, double-spaced, with an appropriate cover sheet. It is not necessary to place the paper in any sort of folder. Stapled in the upper left corner is sufficient. The paper should be as long as necessary to thoroughly cover the topic being addressed. Normally, this means 8--10 pages. Care must be taken with all grammar, punctuation and spelling.

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Grading Rubric

Element Weight

Evaluation Criteria

Problem Statement 20 Clearly describes the development of the problem or issue, incorporates a discussion of all dimensions/boundaries, and provides supporting information for every claim in this section.

Stakeholder Analysis 15 Stakeholders are clearly identified, contains a clear and concise statement of their concerns and assessment of their influence.

Issue Formalization 10 Fully discusses the structural complexity of the issue and all aspects of the agenda-setting process.

Policy Alternatives 15 Clearly describes each policy alternative presented in the case study. Discusses each relevant stakeholder’s position on the alternative and identifies measurable outcomes from the alternative

Alternative Assessment 15 Clearly presents assessment criteria along with a justification for using the selected criteria. Includes a thorough assessment of economic assessment techniques used.

Conclusion/ Recommendations

10 Clearly pulls together a summary of the pros/cons of each alternative.

Completeness and Quality of Writing

15 All issues are addressed completely and thoroughly. The analysis is well organized; grammatically correct; minimal typos or misspellings

Total 100

Score/Grade Key

100Superior

(A+)

95Excellent

(A)

90Very Good (A-)

89Good

(B+)

85Adequate

(B)

80Borderline

(B-)

75Deficient

(C)

69Very Poor (D)

65Fail (F)

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Grading Sheet

Element Score Evaluation Comments

Problem Statement (20)

Stakeholder Analysis (15)

Issue Formalization (10)

Policy Alternatives (15)

Alternative Assessment (15)

Conclusion/ Recommendations (10)

Completeness and Quality of Writing (15)

Total (100) Grade:

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MPA STUDENT LEARNING PORTFOLIOCORE COURSE PRE AND POST INSTRUCTIONAL ASSIGNMENT FORM

This form must be completed and attached to the pre and post instructional portfolio assignment for each core course.

Instructions for Students: Please submit your pre-instructional and post-instructional portfolio assessment assignments to your course instructor for approval.

Student Name___________________________________

Student ID______________________________

Student e-mail___________________________________

Course Number: PPA 670 Policy Issue Analysis

Semester/Year: Fall Semester, 2009

Instructions for Course Instructor: Please print and sign your name to indicate approval of the pre and post instructional assignments.

John Ostrowski________________________________Instructor Name

________________________________ _______________________Instructor Signature Date

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Policy Journal

The purpose of the policy journal is to expose students to real-world current policy issues, relate those issues to the concepts, theories and techniques being discussed and to encourage discussion among students on those issues.

Environment: The web journal for this class will be kept in the Discussion area of the BeachBoard learning environment. This means the journal will be a variation on a web-based log or “blog” as it is commonly known. Students are required to access BeachBoard to complete this assignment (see syllabus section on Academic Technology for specifics.)

Procedure: At 2 points during the class each student will be required to post a journal entry in the appropriate section of BeachBoard. Once the time-window for submissions is closed, each student will be required to post at least 2 comments on other student’s postings (must be 2 different student postings.) All comments must be of a substantive nature.

Specifics:

First journal posting. The first journal posting must relate the concepts and procedures of public policy problem recognition and definition to a current policy issue. This post must be posted to BeachBoard by midnight on Nov. 10. Comments must be posted between Nov. 10 -- 12.

Second journal posting. The second journal posting to BeachBoard must relate the concepts and techniques related to policy agenda-setting, alternative determination and alternative analysis to a current policy issue. This post must be made by midnight, Dec. 1. Comments must be posted between Dec. 1 -- 3.

Details of each journal assignment will be posted in the Discussion section of BeachBoard.

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