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PS 230 - 1 & 2: The Stud of Politics Winter Trimester 2007 Instructor: Randall D. Smith Office: GDH 211B E-mail: rdsmith@knox.edu Office Phone: (309) 341-7380 Webpage: http://www.oocities.org/randall_d_smith Description: This course begins by questioning the utility of market solutions as compared to governmental solutions to public problems. It then presents several analytical methods for understanding the development of American Public Policy. It seeks to provide understanding of both the benefits and draw-backs of government intervention into the market. PS 235 is designed to also provide students with the tools to understand why public policy develops in the strange manner that it often does. Within this context, the traditional “Iron Triangle” is debated. Students will learn to glean insight from this model, but will also understand the impact of other forces on the development of public policy. The design of this course is aimed at providing students with the necessary tools to analyze the development of public policy on their own. Thus, the final project for this course incorporates analysis of a chosen public policy. The intended result is to ensure that students have a solid grasp of the primary methods employed by “policy wonks,” but also to inform their own consideration of what government can/should or cannot/should not do. It is likely that the topics covered in this course will stem heated debate, which is welcomed by the instructor. Texts: Dye, Thomas R.. 2008. Understanding Public Policy, 12/E. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN-10: 0-136-13147-6; ISBN-13: 978-0-136-13147-2. Wolf, Charles, Jr. 1993. Markets or Governments, 2nd Edition: Choosing between Imperfect Alternatives. Cambridge. MIT Press. (Probably should have been re-copywritten in 1997 which is listed as the “Third Printing”) ISBN-10: 0-262-73104-5; ISBN-13: 978-0-262-73104-1. Various items placed in the Knox College, Political Science Department, Network Folder. Objectives and Outcomes: 1. To inform student consideration of the “bounds” of government abilities and reach. 2. To increase knowledge of the various methods employed in the study of public policy. 3. To offer students the opportunity to apply this knowledge. 4. To impart to students the background necessary for making informed judgments about the current and past public policy. 5. To encourage students to participate actively as global citizens and researchers. Course Methodology: This course utilizes several different teaching techniques to explain the substantive material: 1. Lecture Session – The instructor shares his knowledge, thoughts, and ideas with you on the various topics, books, and articles. He welcomes your input on this material. 2. Discussion Session – This portion of the course provides students a chance to voice their opinion about the American Public Policy in a free and open manner, which comprises the participation portion of the students’ grades. 3. Audio-Visual Aids – The instructor utilizes items such as the overhead projector, maps, films, videotapes, computers, musical recordings and other items where appropriate. Examinations and Grading: Your performance determines your course grade in the following manner: 100 points possible = Test I 100 points possible = Test II 100 points possible = Research Paper 50 points possible = Presentation 100 points possible = Participation 450 points possible = Total Test Grades: This course involves two semi-cumulative examinations. The reason that they are “semi-cumulative” is that the analytical tools discussed at the beginning of the course will continually be revisited throughout the term. These exams cover the textbook readings, the classroom lectures, and class discussions. The exams are closed book, closed note. Final Paper and Presentation: One paper is required for this course. It should be approximately 5-8 pages in length. This assignment asks you to identify a piece of public policy (i.e. legislation), and discuss its toils and tribulations through the public policy-making process by examining its progress utilizing one (or more) of the analytical models discussed during this course. The piece of legislation chosen is up to you, but it will likely be easier to track the policy if it is a more prominent piece of legislation. This assignment will necessitate the use of primarily on-line resources, such as Thomas and historical compilations of the New York Times. Your findings will provide the material for your final presentation in this course. The presentation should last between 8 and 10 minutes, and should be done utilizing Power Point. Participation Grade: The determination of the participation portion of your grade first involves attendance. The necessity of attending every class session thus reflects in this portion of your grade. This participation portion also involves your active contribution to class discussions. Class participation provides the opportunity of receiving an “A” in this course. Therefore, I establish some guidelines for discussion. Concern your comments with the topics concerning American Public Policy. An open manner conducts this discussion. Feel free to disagree with me, the readings, the institutions and political actions discussed, and with your classmates. However, this discussion reflects the collegiate atmosphere in that it unfolds in an intelligent manner and you must support your opinion with facts (that may mean research). Interruption, use of slurs and making fun of other students encounters strict prohibition. |
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PS 235: Introduction to American Public Policy Spring Trimester 2007 |
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| All work requires standard grammatical English and prompt attention to due dates. I cannot grade what I cannot read. If I cannot read an assignment I ask you once to rewrite it, and after that first warning you either receive a reduced grade or no credit. Cheating and plagiarism also encounter strict prohibition and require that I deal with them according to Knox College policy and procedure. |
| Course and Topic Outline:
Wednesday, 3/21/07 Introduction Friday, 3/23/07 The Reality of Markets v. Governments Read: Wolf, Preface, Chapters 1 & 2. Monday, 3/26/07 Government Fails? Read: Wolf, Chapter 3. Wednesday, 3/28/07 The How’s and Why’s of Government Failure Read: Wolf, Chapter 4. Friday, 3/30/07 Understanding Public Policy in Terms of the Market Read: Wolf, Chapters 5 & 6; Monday, 4/2/07 How Can We Know Which Is the Best Solution? Read: Wolf, Chapter 7. Wednesday, 4/4/07 How Can We Make the Choice Between Markets and Governments? Read: Wolf, Chapter 8. Friday, 4/6/07 Understanding Policy Analysis Read: Dye, Chapter 1. Monday, 4/9/07 Models of Analysis Read: Dye, Chapter 2. Wednesday, 4/11/07 TEST I Friday, 4/13/07 No Class – Instructor Must Attend MPSA Annual Meeting. Monday, 4/16/07 Politics in the Policy-Making Process Read: Dye, Chapter 3. Wednesday, 4/18/07 Rationality v. Irrationality Read: Dye, Chapter 4. Friday, 4/20/07 Striving for Rationality Read: Dye, Chapter 5. Monday, 4/23/07 Popular Pluralism Read: Dye, Chapter 6. Wednesday, 4/25/07 The Budget, and What a Budget it is! Read: Dye, pp 170-175; Read also: Coven, Martha, and Richard Cogen. 2006. “Introduction to the Federal Budget Process.” Washington DC. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (On Network) Read also: Keith, Robert, and Allen Schick. 2004. “CRS Report for Congress: Introduction to the Federal Budget Process.” Washington DC. Government Printing Office. (On Network) Friday, 4/27/07 Understanding the Affects of Incrementalism on the Budget Read: Dye, Chapter 7. Monday, 4/30/07 Reconsidering the “Iron Triangle” Read: Dye , Chapter 8. Wednesday, 5/2/07 The Have’s v. the Have-Not’s Read: Dye, Chapter 9. Friday, 5/4/07 How Group Interests Might Overlap or Clash Read: Dye, Chapter 10. Monday, 5/7/07 Revisiting the Elite-Mass Question Read: Dye, Chapter 11. Wednesday, 5/9/07 The Constraints of Institutions Read: Dye, Chapter 12. Friday, 5/11/07 Playing Games With Policy Read: Dye, Chapter 13. Monday, 5/14/07 Policy Sphere Still Awaiting Analysis: Terrorism Read: Dye, Chapter 14. Wednesday, 5/16/07 Evaluating the Output Read: Dye, Chapter 15. Friday, 5/18/07 TEST II Monday, 5/21/07 Presentations Wednesday, 5/23/07 Presentations Friday, 5/25/07 Presentations Saturday, 5/26/07 Reading Day Sunday – Tuesday, 5/27-29/07 Final Examination Period |
| This syllabus remains subject to change at the instructor’s discretion, without prior notice.
Students with disabilities who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Please contact CTL at (309) 341-7151. Please also inform the instructor so that appropriate accommodations may be made. |
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| Congressional Committees |
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