Office Hours: 1:30-2:30 Mon, Wed, Fri

or by appointment

Course Overview

This course provides a basic introduction to the field of public administration as a profession and field of study, emphasizing both theoretical and applied topics. It examines the development of public administration and the characteristics of bureaucracy. The course will explore the ways in which bureaucrats participate in policymaking and the mechanisms in place to promote bureaucratic accountability. We will discuss rationality and decision-making as they relate to the policymaking process and to bureaucratic organizations. Finally, the course will cover contemporary and future challenges to the bureaucratic establishment.

The diversity of society means there are two (or more) sides to every issue, and thus, more than one way to approach its resolution. The ideal solution to a particular social or economic problem depends on the viewpoint of the person or group in question, so the method chosen to solve public problems often involves trade-offs or “hard choices.” This class will provide you with the tools to make these hard choices.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, the student will be able to:

Evaluate alternative models for the US policy-making process
Define public policy and identify the stages of policy development
Understand competing viewpoints in contemporary social and political issues
Understand how different interests shape policy decisions
Be familiar with several tools for policy analysis and decision-making

Course Requirements, Assignments, and Grading

Public Policy: Politics, Analysis and Alternatives, 2^nd edition by Michael Kraft and Scott Furlong (2007). Washington, DC: CQ Press.

Issues for Debate in American Public Policy, 8^th edition (2008). Washington, DC: CQ Press,

Additional reading materials that pertain to the weekly topics are listed by date. These readings will be available via the university blackboard system via http://www.csuohio.edu/elearning/blackboard/

Grading

(100-97) (96-90) A, A-

(89-87)(86-83)(82-80) B+, B, B-

(79-77)(76-70) C+, C (69-60) D

Midterm 25%

Final Exam 25%

Policy Analysis Proposal 5%

Policy Analysis Paper 25%

In Class Assignments 20%

and Participation

Students are expected to have read the assigned readings prior to class. Reading topics and assignments listed are subject to change. Exam dates will change only in the event of an emergency.
Class attendance is expected. In-class projects and writing assignments cannot be made up. Participation will be factored into your grade; you cannot participate if you are not present.
Late papers will be downgraded 10% per day, including weekends.
This course covers controversial topics that will bring out strong, and varying, opinions. Learning others’ views on things is an excellent way to expand ones knowledge—even when you disagree. While spirited debate and discussion is welcome, disrespectful and rude commentary is not.
Students with Special Needs: “Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services at 216-687-2015 located at UC304.” Students should notify the instructor as soon as possible if they have been granted an accommodation through the Office of Disability Services.

Academic Misconduct

Any form of academic dishonesty, such as cheating on examinations or plagiarism, will NOT be tolerated. Students are expected to know and follow the University rules on academic honesty.
The CSU Student Handbook defines plagiarism as: Stealing and/or using the ideas or writings of another in a paper or report and claiming them as your own. This includes but is not limited to the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. The penalties for plagiarism are found in the Student Handbook under Academic Regulations. (Academic Regulations http://www.csuohio.edu/studentlife/conduct/acadregs.html)

Policy Analysis Paper - This assignment allows students to apply some of the materials from the course to a public policy problem. Students will apply one of the decision-making tools introduced in this course to a state or local problem, conduct an analysis of this issue, its alternatives, and make a policy recommendation based on systematic review of the options. A more detailed format for this assignment will be available on blackboard, along with criteria for how the papers will be graded.

PART ONE POLITICS OF THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS

What is Public Policy and Public Administration?

14, 16, 18 Jan Course Introduction: Overview of American Political System

What is Public Administration? The Rise of the Administrative State

Public Policy Process

Chapter 1 Kraft and Furlong: Public Policy and Politics

Chapter 1 Issues for Debate: “No Child Left Behind”

21 Jan No Class: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Government Institutions and Policy Actors

23, 25 Jan Chapter 2 Kraft and Furlong: Government Institutions and Policy Actors

Chapter 3 Issues for Debate:” Universal Coverage”

28, 30 Jan, 1 Feb Organizational Theory (blackboard)

Public Personnel (blackboard

The Policy Cycle

4*, 6, 8 Feb Chapter 3 Kraft and Furlong: Understanding the Politics of Public Policy

Chapter 9 Issues for Debate: “National Parks Under Pressure”

*Policy Analysis Proposal Due Feb 4

PART TWO: POLICY ANALYSIS AND ALTERNATIVES

Introduction to Policy Analysis

11, 13, 15 Feb Chapter 4 Kraft and Furlong: Policy Analysis an Introduction

Chapter 8 Issues for Debate: “Energy Efficiency”

No Class Monday, February 18, President’s Day

Basic Concepts in Policy Analysis

20, 22 Feb Chapter 5 Kraft and Furlong: Public Problems and Policy Alternatives

Chapter 12 Issues for Debate: “Consumer Debt”

Decision-Making Models

25, 27 Feb “The Science of Muddling Through” Charles Lindblom (blackboard)

Chapter 5 Issues for Debate: “Stem Cell Research”

29 Feb MIDTERM EXAM

Policy Design Tools

3, 5, 7 March Rational Decision Making:

from the Public Administration Workbook by Huddleston and Dresang

In-class Exercise (blackboard)

March 9-16 No Classes. Have a wonderful spring recess!

Assessing Policy Alternatives

17, 19, 21 March Chapter 6 Kraft and Furlong: Assessing Policy Alternatives

Chapter 10 Issues for Debate: “Privacy in Peril”

Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation

24, 26, 28 March from the Public Administration Workbook by Huddleston and Dresang

Policy Implementation and Policy Evaluation Exercises in-class (blackboard)

PART THREE: ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES IN PUBLIC POLICY

Economic and Budgetary Policy

31 Mar, 2, 4 Apr Chapter 7 Kraft and Furlong: Economic and Budgetary Policy

Chapter 13 Issues for Debate: “Controlling the Interest”

Health Care Policy

7, 9, 11 Apr Chapter 8 Kraft and Furlong: Health Care Policy

Chapter 4 Issues for Debate: “Rising Health Costs”

Social Welfare Policy

14, 16, 18 Apr Chapter 9 Kraft and Furlong: Welfare and Social Security Policy

Chapter 6 Issues for Debate: “Gun Violence”

Education Policy

21, 23, 25** Apr Chapter 10 Kraft and Furlong: Education Policy

Chapter 2 Issues for Debate: “Fixing Urban Schools”

**FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Policy Paper Due**

Environmental and Energy Policy

28, 30 Apr, 2 May Chapter 11 Kraft and Furlong: Environmental and Energy Policy

Chapter 7 Issues for Debate: “The New Environmentalism”

Chapter 13 Kraft and Furlong: Politics, Analysis, and Policy Choice

FINAL EXAM May 5, 2008 1:00-3:00pm