POLS 330-1: Bureaucracy and the Policy
Process
Fall 2007
M/W/F 10:00 – 10:50 AM
DuSable 252
Instructor: Ms.
Email: gdumont@niu.edu
Office: DuSable 476
Phone: (815) 753-1818
Office hours:
Wednesday 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Friday 8:00 – 9:30 AM, and by
appointment
Course
Objective
This
class will looks at the role of the public
bureaucracy in the formation and implementation of public policy. This will
include the interaction of public agencies with other levels and branches of
government, as well as the interaction of bureaucracy with nonprofit
organizations, interest groups, and the media.
Special attention will be paid to the tools bureaucracies use in the
call for efficient government. At the
conclusion of the class, you will be able to identify how the bureaucracy
responds to each of the aforementioned actors and the importance of each in the
implementation of American public policy.
In addition, you will know the different ways you can influence the
bureaucracy and public policy.
Course
Materials
Course text: Stillman, Richard
(2004). The American Bureaucracy: The Core of Modern Government,
2nd ed.
Supplemental
Material: There will be articles that will be available through JSTOR and ArticleFirst as well as select book chapters. For your convenience, this material will be
linked on Blackboard.
In
addition to the texts, students are required to create accounts on the Blackboard
Course Server (http://webcourses.niu.edu) during the first week of class.
This site will be utilized for posting on-line readings, important course
announcements, student grades, other course materials as well as a tool for you
to communicate with me and your classmates.
Calculation
of Grades
Your grade in this course
will consist of your performance on two exams (a midterm and a final exam), two
homework assignments, one research paper, and class participation. The
following is a breakdown of how the grades will be determined:
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Class participation |
25 points |
The
grading scale is as follows: |
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Blackboard postings |
25 points |
360 – 400 – A |
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Case study talking points |
50 point |
320 – 359 – B |
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Homework #1 |
10 points |
280 – 319 – C |
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Homework #2 |
20 points |
240 – 279 – D |
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Homework #3 |
20 points |
<
240 – F |
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Midterm
Exam |
50 points |
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Research Paper |
100 points |
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Final Exam |
100 points |
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400 points |
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To calculate your grade, simply add the total points
earned to determine how many more points you need to get your desired grade.
Class
Policies
Attendance: There is a strong positive correlation between class
attendance and student performance.
Being in class affords you the opportunity to ask questions and learn
from your fellow students. Noting this,
it is strongly recommended, but not
required, that you attend class. An
attendance sheet will be passed around at the beginning of each class. Its purpose is for me to keep track of those
who are attending on a regular basis.
This is needed in helping my to decide you final grade in case you are
on the cusp between two grades. For instance, if you are close to earning a B,
but in the higher C range, if you have attended classes regularly (less than
three absences) then you are more apt to receive a B for your final grade. If you have not attended on a regular basis,
the grade would be a C.
As noted on the syllabus, 50
of the 400 possible points you can earn in this class are based on participation. If you are not in class, you cannot
participate, and therefore you do not earn those points. In addition, even if you are in class, and do
not participate, you only earn a fraction of those points, since simply being
in class is not considered participation.
If you need any more clarification, please let me
know.
Tardiness: I expect
all students to get to class on time and remain in class for the
duration of the class period. If you are
late, you will be marked absent.
Late
assignments/make-up exams: I do not accept late work,
nor do I offer make-up exams. If you
have a situation that requires an exception, you must notify me well in advance and be prepared to
produce documentation. This means do not ask for an extension the week
the assignment is due!
Course Communications: Students have an obligation
to activate and monitor their NIU email
account. This account will be used for out-of-class communication as
well as Blackboard.
Class Discussion: As noted above, 50 of the 400 possible points you can
earn in this class are based on participation. I do understand that some people are not
apt to speak up in groups – especially large groups like our class. Therefore, participation pints are broken
into two subgroups – in class and Blackboard.
Half the points (25) are
based on class discussion – contributing meaningful comments on the subject at
hand. The other 25 points are earned
through posts on Blackboard.
In the discussion board section, you are expected to post
one article a week that relates to bureaucracy and comment on it AND
you must comment on at least one other article posted by another student.
So at the least - you should
be making two postings per week. If
there are any posts to your article, please respond to it. Make sure all
articles are posted and responded to by Thursday night! All posts are worth one point. To earn this
point, your articles/replies/responses have to be relevant to the bureaucracy. The maximum number of points one can earn in a
week through posting is 3. The maximum
points that can be earned through posting for the semester is 25.
Issues raised in these articles will be discussed in class on Fridays.
Case Study “Talking Points”: Each Friday we will be applying what was discussed
that week to current topic/ real life situations so that you will be able to
appreciate the role and importance of the bureaucracy in every-day life. Each Talking Point memo is worth 5
points. The maximum points that
can be earned through Talking Point memos for the semester is 50.
Each of the case studies will
be in one of two formats: a pre-assigned case study where the material you are
expected to work from is posted on Blackboard, or a current events case
study. For the latter, make sure you come to class prepared to
discuss current events and what is going on in the news related to the American
bureaucracy topic for that week. Be sure
to get different points of view on the topics.
In other words, do not take what CNN or FOX News says is “the undeniable
truth.” I want you to gather information
on a couple different perspectives on the issue you will be discussing. The
issue can be an expansion of your blackboard posting. However, make sure that it is more than just
one article and your views on it.
Please have a “talking points” page
with the following info:
Your name
Issue you are focusing on
(i.e. immigration, state budget implications, etc.)
Sources used (please
provide me with a copy of all sources used.
If you gained interest of the topic from a news channel – CNN, Fox,
MSNBC, CSPAN – please go to their website and print whatever material you can
find on what you saw.).
Key/ talking points on
each (pros and cons) and the relation to bureaucracy and week’s topic
Any “notable quotes”
This
will be handed in at the end of class. This should be one page with a bulleted format
Cell Phones: No cell phone use during
class. This includes not only calls but
text messaging, internet browsing, and instant messaging as well. Please
turn your cell phones off.
Behavior: I expect professional decorum in the classroom at
all times. Do not read the newspaper, talk to your friends or sleep during
class. Do not come to class late or leave early. All of these actions are not only rude to
your teacher and peers, but are also not acceptable in a college setting.
Academic
Dishonesty: The maintenance of academic
honesty and integrity is of vital concern to the Department of Political
Science and the University community. Any student found guilty of academic
dishonesty will face both academic and disciplinary sanctions. It is each student’s responsibility to become familiar
with this section of the University's Academic Integrity
policy of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:
Advising Handbook, and to follow it.
Disabilities: Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, NIU is committed to making reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. NIU’s CAAR’s mission ensures that people with
disabilities "are viewed on the basis of ability, not disability" and
that their needs will be met in order to ensure an environment of equal
opportunity. Students should inform the instructor of any
such needs, and have the needs verified through the Center for Access-Ability Resources, Health Services [Fourth
Floor: Phone: (815) 753-1303] during the first two weeks of the semester.
Obligations
– I expect you to arrive to class on time and prepared. This means to make sure you have completed
the readings before
class. This means be ready to answer the
question noted above each reading on the syllabus. The
questions can (and will) be posed to you in different ways: quizzes, blackboard
discussions, or class discussions. If
you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. I will make myself available to help you
outside of class or office hour times if necessary.
Class Paper: There is one 10-15 page
research paper for this class. The paper
will be due by November 19. As noted above, it will not be accepted
if handed in late. The paper topic is discussed
in more detail below.
Department of Political Science website: Students are strongly
encouraged to visit the political science department’s website for
information. This site is up-to-date with information that will assist
students in contacting faculty and staff, exploring graduate studies,
researching career options, and accessing important details related to
undergraduate programs and activities. For important information on the Department of
Political Science, please visit: http://polisci.niu.edu/
Class
Schedule:*
August 27: Introduction
Review class syllabus
Blackboard overview
August 29: The Structure of American government
What
is the basic structure of the American Government, and why does it matter?
Readings: Skim all the PDFs on the American government
at this link: http://www.unclefed.com/EduStuff/AmGovt/index.html.
August 31: Case Study: Current events – What
are some of the news items that you see as related to American
bureaucracy?
“Talking points” page on this case is due at the end of class.
Homework assignment #1 due: Certified completion of the Online Tutorial on
Academic Integrity,
available at: http://www.ai.niu.edu/ai/students/.
Your name must be
printed on the completion document! Worth 5 points.*
September 3: No Class
September 5: The American bureaucracy
What
is the American Bureaucracy?
Read:
Stillman Ch 1, pgs 1-7
September 7: Current events – What are some
of the news items that you see as related to American bureaucracy?
Please have a “talking
points” page, which will be handed in at the end of class.
September 10: Bureaucratic Myths and
Realities
What
are the myths of American Bureaucracy and how can they affect citizen’s view of
government?
Read:
Stillman Ch 1, pgs 7-29
September 12: Bureaucratic Myths and
Realities, cont.
What
myths do you hear in the news today?
What are the circumstances?
September 14: Case Study: Walter Reed Medical Center, available on
Blackboard.
“Talking points” page on
this case is due at the end of class.
September 17: Politics-Administration
Dichotomy
What is the dichotomy, and why does it matter?
Read: Wilson, Woodrow 1887. “The Study of Administration” Political Science Quarterly
The Study of Administration” The American Political Science ReviewVol. 31, No. 1
September 19: Politics-Administration
Dichotomy, cont.
What
is the “Administrative State”? How does it fit into the politics-administration
dichotomy?
Read: Laurence J. O'Toole 1987. “Doctrines and Developments: Separation of Powers, the Politics-Administration
Dichotomy, and the Rise of the Administrative State”
Public
Administration Review, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 17-25.
September 21: Case Study: Firing of Federal Prosecutors.
“Talking points” page on
this case is due at the end of class.
September 24: The Rise of the American
Bureaucracy
Why
was there a need for bureaucracy and how did it come into existence?
Read: Stillman Ch
2, pgs 35-49
September 26: The Rise of the American
Bureaucracy, cont.
What
are the general characteristics of the rise of American bureaucracy?
Read: Stillman Ch
2, pgs 49-73.
September 28: Case Study: The Farm Bill, Available on Blackboard.
“Talking points” page on
this case is due at the end of class.
October 1: Public Policy Overview
What
is the purpose of public policy?
Read: Rourke, Francis. 1984. Bureaucracy,
Politics, and Public Policy, 3rd ed. Harper Collins Publishers. Chapter 1: Introduction: Bureaucracies and
Policy Making. Available on Blackboard.
October3: Public Policy Overview,
cont.
Who
are the actors involved in making public policy? How?
Read: Ripley, Randall and Grace Franklin. 1984. Congress,
the Bureaucracy, and Public Policy, 3rd ed. Homewood, IL: The
Dorsey Press. Chapter 8: Congress, the
Bureaucracy, and the Nature of American Public policy. Available on Blackboard.
October 5: Case Study: Immigration, Available on Blackboard.
“Talking points” page on
this case is due at the end of class.
October 8: Forces Shaping the Modern
American Bureaucracy
How
does the first level of inputs on bureaucracy influence bureaucratic
institutions?
Read: Stillman Ch
3, pgs 77-83
October 10: Forces Shaping the Modern
American Bureaucracy, cont.
How
does the second level of inputs on bureaucracy influence bureaucratic
institutions?
Read: Stillman Ch
3, pgs 83-90
October 12: Case study: Case study: Centralia
Mine Explosion, available on Blackboard
What bureaucratic
agency was involved? Did it do its job
well? Why or why not?
Read: Martin, John Bartlow 1975. “The Blast in
Homework #2: Due October 12th After reading “The Blast in Centralia No. 5,”
how do you think the people in the study viewed public administration? What were the forces impacting the decisions
being made? How did their views affect their actions?
Specifically write about two of the following people in
the study:
Inspector Scanlon, Director of the Department of Mines and Minerals Medill,
Governor Green, District UMW Union Leader “Spud White”, Centralia Mine Manager
Brown, and the Centralia mine workers of Local 52 who wrote “The Save Our
Lives” letter. This assignment should be
2 pages double spaced, 12 pt times new roman font, 1 inch margins.
October 15: Forces Shaping the Modern
American Bureaucracy, cont.
How
does the third level of inputs on bureaucracy influence bureaucratic
institutions?
Read: Stillman Ch
3, pgs 91-107 and
Cook, Timothy. 1989. Governing with the News: The News Media as a
Political Institution.
Ch 7: Beyond the White
House, Available on Blackboard.
October 17: Forces Shaping the Modern
American Bureaucracy, cont.
How
does the fourth level of inputs on bureaucracy influence bureaucratic
institutions?
Read: Stillman Ch
3, pgs 107-124
October 19: Case study: Discuss “forces” from previous case studies
from the homework assignment due today.
Homework #3: Due October 19: Going back to one of the Case
Studies we have done to date. What were
the internal or the external forces influencing the outcome of the case? Make sure you identify which force you are
identifying! What had the greatest
impact, what had the least impact? Why? This assignment
should be 2 pages double spaced, 12 pt font, 1 inch margins.
October 22: Inside the Public Bureaucracy
How
can professionally appointed administrators and/or experts affect public
policy?
Read: Stillman Ch 4, pgs 129-157.
October 24: Inside the Public
Bureaucracy, cont.
How
can civil servants affect public policy?
Read: Stillman Ch 4, pgs 157-195.
October 26: Case study: Surgeon Generals’ testimony before Congress,
available on Blackboard
“Talking points” page on
this case is due at the end of class.
October 29: Inside the Public
Bureaucracy, cont.
Who are your street-level bureaucrats? Why are they important?
Read: Lipsky, Michael. 2005. Street-Level Bureaucrats as Policy
Makers. Reprinted in Jay M. Shafritz
Karen S. Layne and Christopher P. Borick (eds) Classics of Public Policy.
New York: Pearson Longman, pp 51-61.
Available on Blackboard.
October 31: Review for the Midterm
November 2: Midterm Exam
November 5: Go over the Midterm
November 7: Outputs of the American
Bureaucracy
What
are the outputs of bureaucratic agencies dependent on?
Read: Stillman Ch
5, pgs 201-223
November 9: Case Study: Current events – What
are some of the news items that you see as related to American
bureaucracy?
“Talking points” page on this case is due at the end of class.
November 12: Outputs of the American
Bureaucracy, cont.
What
role do the different actors in the bureaucracy play in producing the desired
outputs?
Read: Stillman Ch 5, pgs 223-248
November 14: Administration
Communication
Why
is communication important in public administration?
Read: Rosenthal, Uriel. 1997. “The Relevance of Administrative Communication to Democratic
Politics: Communicating in Democracies.” In James L. Garnett and Alexander
Kouzmin (eds) Handbook of Administrative
Communication, New York: Marcel Dekker, pp 153-169. Available on Blackboard.
November 16: Case Study: Current events – What
are some of the news items that you see as related to American
bureaucracy?
“Talking points” page on this case is due at the end of class.
November 19: Introduction to Networks
No Reading
Semester Paper due
November 21: No class – Thanksgiving break
November 23: No class – Thanksgiving break
November 26: Networks and the
Bureaucratic System
What are networks?
Read: Gromley, William and Steven Balla. 2004. Chapter
4, “Networks” in Bureaucracy and
Democracy, pp112-129. Available on
Blackboard.
November 28: Networks in the
Bureaucratic System, cont.
Why would one have a “network” without a contract?
Examples?
Read: Gromley, William and Steven Balla. 2004. Chapter
4, “Networks” in Bureaucracy and
Democracy, pp130-146. Available on
Blackboard.
November 30: Case study: Revisit Walter
Reed
How were networks involved? Look up more information regarding this case
in the news papers (Lexus-Nexus is a good place to look).
Please have a “talking points” page, which
will be handed in at the end of class.
December 3: The Future of the
American Bureaucracy
What
are some of the challenges facing the American bureaucracy?
Read: Kettl, Donald. 2005. The
Next Government of the United States: Challenges for Performance in the 21st Century.
December 5: Case Study: Current events – What
are some of the news items that you see as related to American
bureaucracy?
“Talking points” page on this case is due at the end of class.
December 7: Review for the Final
December 10: Final exam:
DU 252 10:00-11:50
* I reserve the right to make changes and adjust the
schedule as needed.
Research Paper
The main writing
assignments for this course is one 10-15 page formal research papers (be sure
to follow the standard paper format provided below). In general, late papers will not be accepted (see class
policies).
Paper topic: How
has the modern American bureaucracy, as we study it today, been shaped? What role does the bureaucracy have in public
policy? What are some of the forces
affecting the bureaucracy? Give examples
using current topics.
Your research
papers should follow these guidelines:
Grading Criteria for Research Papers
A consistent grading
schema will be used, with the points available for the various assignments
apportioned among a number of criteria. These will include the following (and
are further elaborated below):
_____________________
§
Rule of thumb #1:
if your list of works cited includes only books, only journals, or (especially)
only internet sites, the research was neither systematic nor
comprehensive.