POLS 220: Introduction Public Policy
Fall 2009
DuSable Hall 246
Professor: Fred Mayhew
Class Times: Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00-2:00, Wednesday 10:00-11:00, and by appointment
Office: 203 IASBO Building
Email: fmayhew@niu.edu
Office Phone: (815) 753-6147
Course Description
The first section of
this course introduces students to the policy process in the United
States. Major actors and institutions
within the policy process will be identified and examined. Students will gain an understanding of how
and why certain issues or problems reach the public agenda while others do
not. Students will also be introduced to
various models of the policy process that seek to explain or predict the ways
in which policy decisions are made. The
second section of the course will focus on major policy issues such as
healthcare, education, and the environment.
By examining these issues in depth, and armed with the knowledge
obtained in the first section of the course, students will see firsthand the
complexity of creating public policy.
Course Objectives
By the end of the
semester,
Students should have a basic understanding of:
Students should be
able to:
Course Texts
Birkland, Thomas. 2005. An
Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public
Policy Making. 2nd
edition. New York: M.E. Sharpe
Congressional
Quarterly Researcher (2009). Issues For
Debate In American Public Policy. 9th edition,
Washington, D.C.
Grading
Course Requirements
Midterm 20%
Final 30%
Policy Paper 20%
Presentation 10%
Reading “notes” 10%
Participation 10%
Exams:
Exams will include multiple choice and short
answer questions. The final exam will be
cumulative.
Policy Paper:
The paper will examine a policy issue that is
covered in class. The student will
analyze a policy proposal, appraise the proposal and give their opinions on the
issue. Paper will be between 5-7 pages
in length.
Presentation:
Students will be assigned to groups in the
first month of the class. Each group
will be given a policy issue (covered in second section of course) and prepare
a presentation either supporting or opposing a specific policy proposal. More information on the paper and
presentation will be available on Blackboard.
Reading Notes:
For every class that has a reading assignment
students are required to complete a short writing assignment. Students will identify three things from the
reading that they either found interesting or did not understand. They will then summarize these items in 2-5
sentences. Reading notes can be
hand-written or typed (your preference) and will be randomly collected 5 times
throughout the semester. Each assignment
will be graded pass/fail and will account for 2% of your overall grade, for a
total of 10%.
Attendance and Participation:
It is expected that students will
attend all class sessions. However, it is understood that life sometimes
intervenes, in which case I request that you notify me of the reason for your
absence (beforehand if possible).
Participation accounts for 10% of your final grade – participation is not attained through your mere presence.
Academic Dishonesty:
Regarding
plagiarism, the NIU Undergraduate Catalog states: "Students are guilty of
plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or
other sources without identifying and acknowledging them. Students guilty of or
assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or
examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be
suspended or dismissed from the university." The above statement
encompasses a paper written in whole or in part by another; a paper copied
word-for-word or with only minor changes from another source; a paper copied in
part from one or more sources without proper identification and acknowledgment
of the sources; a paper that is merely a paraphrase of one or more sources,
using ideas and/or logic without credit even though the actual words may be
changed; and a paper that quotes, summarizes or paraphrases, or cuts and pastes
words, phrases, or images from an Internet source without identification and
the address of the web site. For more
information on plagiarism visit: http://polisci.niu.edu/polisci/audience/plagiarism.shtml
Students with Disabilities:
Under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making
reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those
students with disabilities that may have an impact on their course work must
register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth
floor of the Health Services Building (753-1303). CAAR will assist students in
making appropriate instructional and/or examination accommodations with course
instructors. It is important that CAAR and instructors be informed of any
disability-related needs during the first two weeks of the semester.
Department of Political Science Web Site:
Undergraduates
are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site
on a regular basis. This up-to-date,
central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and
staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study,
research career options, tracking department events, and accessing important
details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
Undergraduate Writing Awards:
The
Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding
undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political
science courses or directed studies.
Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular
class standing. Winners are expected to
attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony, where they will receive a
certificate and $50.00. Papers, which
can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a
department secretary by the end of March.
All copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and
one without the student’s name. Only
papers written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the
award. However, papers completed in the
current spring semester are eligible for the following year’s competition even
if the student has graduated.
Class Schedule
(Class schedule is subject to change)
*All readings that are not from one of our two texts will be available on Blackboard
Section
I: Understanding Public Policy and the Policy Process
August 25: Introduction
Review syllabus, course objectives and expectations
August 27: Public Policy
in the Context of Lasting Political Questions
What is the role of political culture on public policy? How has American ideology affected the evolution and role of government in society?
READING:
Gosling, “Eduring Political
Questions and Public Policy” p.1-20 in Understanding, Informing, and
Appraising Public Policy
September 1: Studying Public Policy
What is public policy? How do we study policy?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 1
September 3: Policy Types
How do we define “policy”? What are the different types of policy?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 6
September 8: Historical Context of the American Policy Environment
How do structural elements of American government influence the policy process? How do changes in politics influence public policy?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 2
September 10: States and Policy Making
How does the policy process differ at the state level? How does state policy making impact the federal policy process?
READING:
Gosling, “Comparing Federal and State Policy Making” p.52-71 in Understanding, Informing, and
Appraising Public Policy
September 15: Official
Actors in the Policy Process
What are “institutions” and what role do they play in the policy process?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 3
September 17: Unofficial
Actors in the Policy Process
Who are the players in the policy process who exist outside of Constitution and the law? What role do these “unofficial” actors play in the creation of public policy?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 4
September 22: Agenda
Setting
How do certain issues come to the attention of governmental decision makers? Why are some issues addressed by government
and others fade into the background?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 5
September 24: Policy Design
How does an issue move from an idea (on the agenda) to a policy that can be acted on?
READING:
Birkland, Chapter 7
September 29: Policy
Implementation
What happens to after a policy is enacted? What do we know about implementing programs
and policies that will increase the likelihood of success?
READING:
Birkland, chapter 8
October 1: Models of the
Policy Process
What models exist that can help explain how the policy process
works? What are the strengths and
weaknesses of these models?
READING:
Birkland,
Chapter 9
October 6: Review & Catch Up
October 8: EXAM I
Section
II: Surveying Major Policy Debates
Each week we will examine a relevant policy
issue. On the second day of the week two
groups will present opposing views on the issue.
October 13 & 15: Health Care
READING:
CQ, Universal Coverage p.49-70
October 20 & 22: Business
and the economy
READING:
CQ, Mortgage Crisis p.271-290
October 27 & 29: Social
Policy
READING:
CQ, Domestic Poverty p.99-118
November 3 & 5: Education
READING:
CQ,
Student Aid p.25-44
November 10 & 12: Energy
and the Environment
READING:
CQ, Buying Green p.171-190
November 17 & 19: Security
and Foreign Policy
READING:
CQ, Immigration Debate
p.319-339
November 24: Review &
Catch Up
November 26: NO CLASS –
Thanksgiving Break
December 1 & 3: Civil
Rights and Justice
READING:
CQ, Hate Speech p.247-267
FINAL EXAM
Tuesday
December 8: 10-11:50 AM