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PSC 307: PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS

by Jeremy Lewis, revised 2 Mar. 2011 with editing.
PURPOSE:
Catalogue language: Major theories of public policy formulation and program implementation. Such models as the process theory, incrementalism, proxy government, rational comprehensive, public choice, and mixed scanning; with case studies of policy making at home and abroad. A 200 level PSC course is recommended.

Course Objectives:

1. To further develop analysis of public policy
2. To help prepare students for masters programs in public administration or policy
3. To help prepare students for jobs in public administration
Student Learning Objectives: students will understand
  1. the nature of public policy
  2. theories of public policy formulation
  3. theories of program implementation.
  4. Such models as the process theory, incrementalism, proxy government, rational comprehensive, public choice, and mixed scanning
  5. the influence of interest groups upon public policy
  6. case studies of domestic policy making
  7. case studies of foreign policymaking
  8. comparisons with public policies of other developed liberal democracies
We will explore the policy programs considered, enacted, funded and put into effect by government institutions. We will analyze each area of federal policy in the light of conceptual models and theories which we will explore in the first two weeks of the course. We shall engage with a comparative perspective the contrasting policies in western Europe. This course should help prepare us for further studies in public administration as well as political science and law.

The style of the course will be both lecture and seminar-based. Sometimes a session will be used for a film; frequently you will be expected to contribute presentations, questions and discussion. You may present from outline notes, but not by reading out of the book: that is unparliamentary.

BOOKS:

For latest information, see the Booklist page.
Dye, Thomas R. Understanding Public Policy. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall).
Kingdon, John W. Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies. (NY: HarperCollins)
Curtis, Michael (ed). The Great Political Theories, Vol. II (Avon/Discus, 1983) [selections]
Nivola & Rosenbloom (eds) Classic Readings in American Politics. St. Martins [required section on public policymaking)



Recommended Materials:
Current Affairs: I now recommend you read newsmagazines and blogs online.

Recommended, but no longer required: Herrnson, Shaiko and Wilcox, The Interest Group Connection.  Excellent anthology on lobbying and interest groups, very useful for term papers on those topics, yet no longer required for exams.

Behavior: You are expected to comply with the HC Honor Code [read College's statement, August 2009, of procedure for violations] and with specific rules of decorum placed on our Requirements page above.  You are also expected to comply with Huntingdon College's Code of Classroom Conduct, August 2009.

My Attendance Policy [read full details on Required page, as HC's policy has changed]:
"While school sanctioned excuses will not count against you, each unexcused absence will reduce your class participation score. I reserve the right to fail you for the course for more than 4 unexcused absences. I also reserve the right to reduce your letter grade in the event that high scores on tests and written work are marred by unexcused absences."

HC's Accommodation of Special Needs:
Faculty at Huntingdon College make every effort to accommodate unique and special needs of students with respect to speech, hearing, vision, seating, or other possible adaptions.  Please notify the Disability Services Intake Coordinator, Ms. Camilla Irvin,  as soon as possible of requested accommodations.