Spring 2016  |  PA 3990 Section 001: General Topics in Public Policy -- Changing the World: Contemporary Public Policy (60254)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
01/19/2016 - 05/06/2016
Wed 04:40PM - 07:20PM
UMTC, West Bank
Hubert H Humphrey Center 30
Course Catalog Description:
General topics in public policy.
Class Notes:
This course provides a foundation for understanding the what, who, where, and how of public policy decision-making. These components are explored from different perspectives while delving into questions such as: What is public policy good for? Who decides policy priorities? What effect does public policy actually have in solving public problems? How can we improve public policy making? http://classinfo.umn.edu/?mixon005+PA3990+Spring2016
Class Description:
General topics in public policy. This course provides a foundation for understanding the what, who, where, and how of public policy decision-making. These components are explored from different perspectives while delving into questions such as:
* What is public policy good for?
* Who decides policy priorities?
* What effect does public policy actually have in solving public problems?
* How can we improve public policy making?

After successfully completing this course students will:
- Understand the process, structure, and context of policymaking
- Identify who, how, and what influences the policy process
- Apply knowledge of public policy and the policymaking process to a specific policy issue
Grading:
(20%): Course participation
Course participation reflects attendance and active participation in class. Active participation includes completion of the required reading, participation in class discussion, and active involvement in class activities.

(15%): Discussion facilitation
You will have the opportunity to sign up with one or two other students to facilitate a class discussion once during the semester.
In your small group, you will plan and facilitate a class discussion on the topics covered in the readings for that day. In preparation for your class facilitation, you and your group members will each conduct one additional reading on the class topic that is not included in the assigned reading list and you will each prepare a one-page summary to be presented and distributed to the class on the day of your facilitation. Your facilitation group will submit a facilitation plan to the instructor prior to class.

(30%) Short papers
You will write three short papers during the semester. In the first paper, you will become a lobbyist and prepare a one-page document that is meant to inform and persuade elected officials on some aspect of a policy issue. In the second paper, you will become a journalist and write a 800-1,000 word article to inform the public on a particular policy issue. In the third paper, you will become an editor of a policy journal and write a book review. You will read a book (chosen from a list provided by the instructor) and write a three-page review of the book for your readership.

(35%): Final assignment
Over the course of the semester, you will be learning the principles and fundamentals of public policy. As a culminating final assignment, you will have the opportunity to write a policy brief on a policy issue in one of the following policy arenas: environmental policy, education policy, health care policy, social welfare policy, immigration policy, and defense policy. It is highly recommended that you use the short paper assignments to learn about the policy arena you will pursue in your policy brief.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/60254/1163
Syllabus:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/mixon005_PA3990_Spring2016.pdf
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
13 November 2015

ClassInfo Links - Spring 2016 Public Affairs Classes Taught by Joel Mixon

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