SAMPLE SYLLABUS - subject to change; provided as an example only for prospective students.
For current students, the syllabus you are given in class by your instructor is the one which
applies to your course, and which you should follow.
PADM 6410 . SEMINAR IN PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS
Online course – Section 98
Description . (3 credits) “The focus of this seminar is on the role of administrators in policy analysis
and decision making, with emphasis on the study of methods and techniques by which
public policies can be analyzed and evaluated. Required for MPA.” --From the 20072009 Graduate Catalog
(http://www.tnstate.edu/uploads/documents/Graduate_Catalog.pdf)
<SEMESTER YEAR>: Delivery method is ONLINE, in eLearn, TSU’s learning
management system.
Purpose and rationale . This course will ground students in the concepts and practice of policy analysis.
As a survey course, it will of necessity not be able to cover every topic and method in
this area, but students will have a foundation to build on as they explore the policy
analysis literature for future academic or professional work. Core ideas of the economic
approach to policy analysis, such as the welfare economics paradigm, will be presented,
along with a political perspective on key issues at the heart of policy debates such as
efficiency, equity, and liberty. Students will work through a practical approach to policy
analysis, and apply this approach to a problem of their choosing. They will also observe
real-world policymaking and make connections between what they learn in class and
what is observed. Students will have several opportunities to practice and refine their
spoken and written professional communication skills, which will serve them in other
courses in the curriculum as well.
Audience and prerequisites . This course is a required core course in the MPA curriculum and a
potential elective for PhD students in public administration. PADM 6410 does NOT
count towards the curricula of the graduate certificates in health administration and
planning or nonprofit administration. There are no prerequisites other than graduate
student status in the MPA or Ph.D. programs.
Instructor .
Meg Streams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
email . [email protected]
office phone . 615.852.7112 – no evening calls please, instead use email.
fax . 615.345.0507 (instructor, NOT College of Public Service and Urban Affairs)
office location . Avon Williams Campus 4th Floor, Suite F-400, Room 409
office hours . TO BE DETERMINED IN SEMESTER OFFERED Please make appointments
in advance when possible for office hour meetings, to assist in planning and make the
best use of your time.
I will make every effort to work with you by email or phone if we cannot meet in
person, so please do not hesitate to contact me at any point during the semester.
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Goals, learning outcomes, and associated assignments. By the end of the course, students will…
Goal 1. Understand a selection of key topics in public policy analysis.
Learning Outcome 1.1. Describe the role of the policy analyst in the public
sector.
Learning Outcome 1.2. Compare and contrast the alternatives of experts,
markets, and politics as ways of resolving policy conflicts and as approaches to
regulation.
Learning Outcome 1.3. Be able to apply an understanding of the complexities
of core values at stake in policy such as equity, efficiency, liberty, and security to
the analysis of real-world policy issues.
Learning Outcome 1.4. Be able to articulate the strengths and weaknesses of
the rational decisionmaking model in its application in the policy process.
Learning Outcome 1.4. Be literate in the language and concepts of the rational
economic paradigm of policy analysis.
Learning Outcome 1.5. Articulate connections between topics covered in
lecture material, readings, discussions and in-class activities in order to address
novel questions.
Evaluation 1.1. Exam 1 and 2 online. All materials assigned for the course are
fair game for evaluation, but the learning objectives in each content module
serve as a clear guide to skills and content required to succeed on the exam.
Proportion of course grade: Exam 1 20%; Exam 2 20%
Evaluation 1.2. Various online activities will be assigned throughout the
semester in weeks when a paper or exam is not scheduled to be due. These
activities will take the form of discussions; submission of written reponses to
questions; analysis of an actual policy meeting (ex. city council, school board,
etc.) that is viewable online, etc. The top four grades on these activities will
count toward the final grade.
Proportion of course grade: Online activities, 20%
Goal 2. Develop and refine skills in professional communication of background and
analytical material relevant to policy analysis.
Learning Outcome 2.1. Practice clear, concise writing.
Learning Outcome 2.2. Identify and cite appropriate sources to support
written and presented work.
Learning Outcome 2.3. Organize and “pitch” written communication of policy
analysis at a level accessible to and appropriate for non-technical decision
makers and stakeholders.
Learning Outcome 2.4. Apply the tools gained in class to an actual policy
problem.
Evaluation 2.1. Two policy papers will be completed. Detailed guidance on the
papers will be given in class.
Proportion of course grade: Policy Paper 1, 20% of course grade; Policy Paper
2, 20% of course grade
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Learning resources . Texts . Two textbooks are required for this class. Additional shorter readings such
as cases or journal articles may be assigned throughout the semester.
REQUIRED:
Munger, M. C. (2000). Analyzing policy : choices, conflicts, and practices (1st ed.).
New York: W.W. Norton.
ISBN-10: 0393973999
ISBN-13: 9780393973990
Stone, D. A. (2002). Policy paradox : the art of political decision making (3rd ed.).
New York: Norton.
ISBN-10: 0393976254
RECOMMENDED:
Bardach, E. (2009). A practical guide for policy analysis : the eightfold path to more
effective problem solving (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.
ISBN-13: 9780872899520
Hacker, D. (2007). A writer's reference with writing in the disciplines (6th ed.).
Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's.
ISBN-13: 9780312471675
Learning resources . Online . All materials for this class will be posted on the TSU eLearn page for this
course (https://elearn.tnstate.edu/) – also check the site for course announcements.
Note that the eLearn server is distinct from the tnstate.edu server: so even if
www.tnstate.edu is down, you should try to access eLearn using the address above
directly.
The Help Desk phone number you should use is at all times is 615-963-1239. Between
the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, you reach TSU’s help desk.
They can help you with password resets and problems logging in. If you have an eLearn
problem, they can refer it on to others on campus that can help. After 5:30pm on
weekdays and on weeknights, this number will connect you with another off-campus
help service which can assist with eLearn questions, but which cannot fix password and
login problems. The need to reset your password is the most common reason you get
shut out of eLearn, and the TSU Help Desk can assist you with this problem only
between 7:30am and 5:30pm on weekdays.
Instructional methodology . The primary methods of instruction will be lecture in Horizon Wimba
(students may either participate synchronously or review recorded lectures
asynchronously, completely at their discretion) using PowerPoints also provided in
eLearn; student reading of texts, student completion of online activities, online
discussion, writing, and analysis. Evaluation will be in the form of two equally weighted
online exams, two policy papers, and online activities.
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Policies . Learning environment . You are expected to conduct yourself with civility and professionalism
in all interactions connected to this course, so that a learning environment is maintained
for all. This includes, but it not limited to, engaging with classmates and the instructor
in a respectful manner. Communication online can unfortunately tend towards the
informal, and even rudeness – such behavior will not be tolerated in this course. When
writing to others in this course – peers or instructors – please use a businessappropriate tone, not a casual “texting” tone. This is a core course in a professional
program, and you should strive to communicate maintaining the same standards you
would expect to adhere to in the workplace.
Syllabus . I reserve the right to adjust this syllabus as the semester proceeds based on
the class’ progress and development, with notice to students.
Quality of written work . As academics and professionals in service or in training, I
expect you to adhere to a high standard in your written work. Leave yourself time to
reread and revise written work before the due date. Grammar and spelling errors
distract the reader and lessen your credibility, in the classroom as in the workplace,
and will affect the evaluation of your work.
Accommodation . Contact Patricia Scudder, Director of Students with Disabilities (615963-7400, Office of Disabled Student Services), preferably before the fourth class
meeting, if you need accommodation. The College of Public Service and Urban Affairs,
in conjunction with the Office of Disabled Student Services, makes reasonable
accommodations for qualified students with medically documented disabilities. I need
to be aware of your status if it will affect your class activities and assignments – before
assignments are due.
Grading . Due dates. Assignments are due to the appropriate eLearn dropbox by
11PM on the due date, or if an online discussion is assigned, full participation must be
complete by that time. Remember that if the www.tnstate.edu website is down, you
should try to access eLearn directly at https://elearn.tnstate.edu/ .
If you are unable to submit to eLearn, you must submit BY EMAIL TO
[email protected] OR FAX to 615-345-0507 (instructor’s fax NOT the CPSUA fax)
BY THE DUE DATE/TIME. No hard copy assignments will be accepted. YOU MUST
PLAN AHEAD SO THAT LAST MINUTE COMPUTER ISSUES DO NOT DERAIL YOUR
SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME.
**************************************************
NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR EITHER MEMOS OR
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES. All deadlines are announced at the beginning
of the course, and you have seven days to complete each of the
weekly activities and multiple weeks to complete the memo.
Please plan your time accordingly.
***************************************************
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Exams are graded on a 100 point scale. The learning objectives provided for each
Content Module are your best guide to exam content. In general, there will be any
type of question appropriate to the content: essay, short answer, multiple choice,
quantitative, matching, etc. Details on exams will be provided ahead of time in eLearn;
exams will be online, but timed, and you will not be permitted to retake the exam. You
may use your textbook or other sources during the exam: but if you need to refer to
them often, you will likely find you do not have time to complete the exam. The exam
will be timed to favor those students who have mastered the material by studying
ahead, rather than those who try to look up many answers. You must consult the
instructor at least a week in advance if you must miss the exam at the scheduled time,
and I reserve the right to require a proctored in-person alternative exam if you miss
the online exam.
Papers are graded on a 100 point scale. You will be assigned a unique topic, distinct
from all other class members. Detailed guidelines and an example will also be provided
online.
Online Activities: The grade you will receive on each activity is holistic; see the grade
descriptions below and the weekly assignment rubric, attached. The lowest two grades
received on online activities will be dropped but all the rest count towards the grade on
this course component. The rubric is included later in this syllabus. Note that some
activities will be online discussion.
Online Activities (Top 4 grades count
towards this grade component)
Exam I
Exam II
Policy Paper I
Policy Paper II
Percent of grade
20
20
20
20
20
100 %
Scale (text descriptions adapted from TSU Catalog):
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A
90% - 100%
Excellent: work of exceptional, professional quality which indicates the highest
level of attainment on an assignment.
B
80% - 89%
Good: work above average which indicates a high level of achievement.
C
70% - 79%
Work of average quality representing substantial fulfillment of the minimum
essentials of an assignment.
D
69% - 60%
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Poor: representing passing work but below the standards of graduation quality.
Some minimum essentials not completed.
F
59% and below
Failure: representing unacceptable performance on an assignment. Few to no
minimum essentials completed. May be assigned for plagiarism or academic
dishonesty by the instructor (for an assignment or the course; see TSU Catalog,
Academic and Classroom Conduct http://www.tnstate.edu/catalog/20052007/ugcat/academic_information.htm).
Academic honesty and plagiarism . I will follow University procedures in dealing with any instances of
plagiarism, cheating, and other types of academic dishonesty in this course (see page 22
of TSU Student Handbook). In summary, you are expected to do your own work and
follow academic standards rigorously in crediting the ideas, words and findings of
others. Giving your own work to another person who copies it is also academic
dishonesty, as is communication regarding test content. I provide helpful materials on
plagiarism and citation procedures in eLearn, inside the “Writing Professional Memos”
module, but YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND FOLLOWING ALL ACADEMIC
CITATION. Ignorance is not an excuse at this stage in your academic career, i.e.
graduate study. Academic honesty is the foundation of the scholarly pursuit of
knowledge; if you are not sure what constitutes plagiarism or how to handle a specific
instance of crediting another individual’s work, feel free to bring these questions to me.
In general, should you have questions about academic honesty, your performance, or
any other issue concerning this course, I encourage you to talk with me as soon as the
concern arises throughout the semester. Problems in this area sometimes arise as a
result of feeling pressured as a deadline approaches; promptly bringing questions and
problems to the instructor can help to prevent this situation. Plagiarized work is never
an improvement on whatever original work with correct citations you are able to
generate on your own. This course is part of your training as a professional, and only
evaluation of your genuine effort can serve this purpose. The first time I discern
plagiarism, I will return the assignment for a rewrite without a grade on a quick
turnaround – the best grade the rewritten assignment can receive is a B; the second
time I discern plagiarism by the same individual on the same or a subsequent
assignment, I will assign a grade of zero for the assignment.
Ethics and professional preparation . The focus of this course is on concepts and practical aspects of
public budgeting and finance. In application of this and other content learned in your
program of study, you should be guided by the ethical standards of your field. I
encourage you to consult the ethical code of the professional organization(s) relevant to
your field of interest, and to continue to seek out information on their application
throughout your studies.
o
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American Society for Public Administration
(http://www.aspanet.org/scriptcontent/index_codeofethics.cfm)
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The pacing of material and reading assignments may be adjusted (and announced in advance) but due dates for written assignments will not change.
All due dates occur on Wednesday evenings at 11pm. If you cannot access eLearn prior to the deadline for some technical reason, you must send the work to
the instructor at [email protected] immediately, do not wait till the next day.
Content
Module
Dates
Topics
Readings
DUE
Course introduction Syllabus; Expectations for
assignments; Review of proper citation procedures,
• Intro questionnaire – complete online.
1
introduction to citation management software and use
eLearn support modules
Policy Paper 1 guideline will be
of electronic citation databases and Google Scholar;
distributed.
hierarchy of source quality
The role of the policy analyst: analysis vs. politics?;
Munger C1
• Online discussion – instructions will be
2
overview of the analytical process; the “rationalist
Stone Introduction and C1
posted
project” vs. decisionmaking in the “polis”
• Policy meeting viewing online and
Deeper into the rationalist model of policy analysis;
Munger C2
3
reflection assignment – turn in to
discussion of policy meeting reflections
Stone Introduction and C1
dropbox
Markets: a default decision mechanism? What about
Munger C3 and C4
• Online discussion – instructions will be
4
when they fail?
Stone C3
posted
• Online discussion – instructions will be
Munger C6
posted [End of material for Exam 1]
5
Politics: goals and challenges of social choice
Stone C2, C4, C5
Policy Paper 2 guideline will be
distributed.
Experts: Markets fail, politics fail, but we’re perfect,
Munger C8, C5
6
• Policy Paper 1 DUE to dropbox
right?
Stone C11, C12
MIDTERM
EXAM I (covers modules 1 through 5)
7
Experts: role in Stone’s polis
8
Changing rules and responses: institutions,
organizations, and incentives; instruments and policy
design
9
Tools of the policy analyst: cost-benefit analysis
10
Putting it all together
FINAL
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Munger C8, C5
• Online discussion – instructions will be
Stone C11, C12
posted
Weimer article, “The craft of
• Online discussion – instructions will be
policy design”; Bardach reading
posted
“Things governments do”
Munger C11
• Online discussion – instructions will be
Stone C7, C10
posted
Munger C12
• Policy Paper 2 DUE to dropbox
Exam II (Covers modules 6 through 10)
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