Fundamentals of Public Policy is an introductory course that explores policy-making as both a problem-solving process and a political process. We look at policy-making from the perspective of different focal actors and institutions, including: administrative agencies, legislators, the courts, the mass public, interest groups, and the media. We examine the interplay between policy development and institutions, and review normative and empirical models of policy-making. Exploring these issues will require us to address questions like: How and why does something come to be seen as a "public problem" requiring a governmental response, while others fail to get attention? Why do we need public policies? What determines the content and nature of public policies? Who decides public policy priorities? Does public policy ever accomplish anything worthwhile?
This course is organized around the two weekly lecture sessions and a 1-hour recitation section. The lecture classes will delve into the primary topic for the week, covering theoretical and analytical issues as well as the substantive questions raised in the reading material. In particular, the discussion will emphasize alternative ways of examining a given topic. Students are encouraged to ask questions and offer comments in class.
"Issues for Debate in American Public Policy." CQ Press (2002).
Stone, Deborah. Policy Paradox and Political Reason. WW Norton, 2001.
Van Horn, Carl E., Donald C. Baumer, and William T. Gormley, Jr. eds. Politics and Public Policy. CQ Press, 2001.
Students are also required to read the daily press, choosing among:
The Boston Globe, The New York Times, or the Wall Street Journal.
All the readings assignments relevant to a given week's class discussion
must be read prior to that class.
Criteria for HASS CI Subjects: Communication intensive subjects in the humanities, arts, and social sciences should require at least 20 pages of writing divided among 3-5 assignments. Of these 3-5 assignments, at least one should be revised and resubmitted. HASS CI subjects should further offer students substantial opportunity for oral expression, through presentations,student-led discussion, or class participation. In order to guarantee sufficient attention to student writing and substantial opportunity for oral expression, the maximum number of students per section in a HASS CI subject is 18, except in the case of a subject taught without sections (where the faculty member in charge is the only instructor). In that case, enrollments can rise to 25, if a writing fellow is attached to the subject.
Grades will be determined by student performance on all of the following:
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1 |
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Class participation
Students are required to attend all class sessions. Missing more than two classes without prior permission will result in automatic failure of the course regardless of other grades. Quizzes may be given at the discretion of the instructors.
Both lecture and recitation section will involve extensive student oral participation, commenting, questioning, and probing arguments and ideas. Students will be required to prepare several oral presentations for class.
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25% |
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2 |
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Three Topical Papers (8 pages each)
Paper topics will be assigned. Specific due dates for the papers are noted in the syllabus and late papers will be reduced 1/2 grade per day.
The first paper will involve a rewriting exercise. The grade for the first paper will be a composite of the the initial draft (1/3) and the rewritten paper (2/3).
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45% |
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3 |
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Final Exam (3 hour exam) |
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30% |
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