Fall 2021 | PA 5002 Section 001: Introduction to Policy Analysis (25783)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 1.5 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- A-F or Audit
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person Term Based
- Enrollment Requirements:
- PA: major or minor in Public Policy or Science/Technology/Environmental Policy or PA PhD or Human Rights major or Development Practice major
- Times and Locations:
- First Half of Term09/07/2021 - 10/25/2021Tue, Thu 04:00PM - 05:15PMUMTC, West BankHubert H Humphrey Center 184
- Enrollment Status:
- Open (31 of 33 seats filled)
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- Process of public policy analysis from problem structuring to communication of findings. Commonly used analytical methods. Alternative models of analytical problem resolution.
- Class Notes:
- http://classinfo.umn.edu/?jtemple+PA5002+Fall2021
- Class Description:
- (updated July 21, 2021)Policy analysis is a central component of our MPP program. In this course, students read the classic text by Eugene Bardach (with new coauthor Eric Patashnik) called A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: the Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. The most recent edition is the 6th from 2019, but students can purchase older versions instead. Without listing each of the 8 steps here, note that we will start with an emphasis on problem definition: what is the problem we are trying to solve? We will discuss criteria that will allow us to think about the desirability of various policy options. Discussion will emphasize the role of evidence. What information do we need and where do policymakers get their knowledge about policies?TWO IMPORTANT POINTS about this class in Fall of 2021:
1) This course does NOT need to be taken in the first semester of the MPP program. Ideally students in the MPP program will enroll in this course before the final semester as it will be of great use for the capstone project.
2) The required textbook costs about $25 and students may be able to find a used copy (or a previous edition) for less. Required textbook: A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: the Eight Fold Path to More Effective Problem Solving by Eugene Bardach and Eric Patashnik, 6th edition (2019). The 5th or 4th editions are also fine.
- Who Should Take This Class?:
- MPP students and others interested in learning about policy analysis. Permission of instructor required if not enrolled in a Humphrey School degree graduate program in which PA 5002 is a required course. Priority given to students who require course to graduate.
- Learning Objectives:
- Students will engage in activities that satisfy many of the learning objectives of our MPP program. These include (1) using diverse sources of quantitative and qualitative evidence to define and structure policy problems, develop criteria for selecting among policy options, and make consise policy recommendations that convey tradeoffs among alternatives; (2) explain the limitations of evidence and the implications of uncertainty for policy making; (3) write clear, short and pervasive policy briefs for audiences with varying backgrounds and (4) make clear, short and pervasive presentations.
- Grading:
- Grades will be based on a variety of individual and group assignments and projects. No final exam.
- Class Format:
- Class time will include lecture, discussions by class, and work in groups.
- Workload:
- The university's policy titled "Expected student academic work per credit" indicates that at least two additional hours of work per week is expected for each hour of class time.
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/25783/1219
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 23 July 2021
Fall 2021 | PA 5002 Section 002: Introduction to Policy Analysis (25813)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 1.5 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- A-F or Audit
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person Term Based
- Enrollment Requirements:
- PA: major or minor in Public Policy or Science/Technology/Environmental Policy or PA PhD or Human Rights major or Development Practice major
- Times and Locations:
- Second Half of Term10/26/2021 - 12/15/2021Mon 06:00PM - 08:45PMUMTC, West BankHubert H Humphrey Center 25
- Enrollment Status:
- Open (31 of 35 seats filled)
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- Process of public policy analysis from problem structuring to communication of findings. Commonly used analytical methods. Alternative models of analytical problem resolution.
- Class Notes:
- http://classinfo.umn.edu/?jtemple+PA5002+Fall2021
- Class Description:
- (updated July 21, 2021)Policy analysis is a central component of our MPP program. In this course, students read the classic text by Eugene Bardach (with new coauthor Eric Patashnik) called A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: the Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. The most recent edition is the 6th from 2019, but students can purchase older versions instead. Without listing each of the 8 steps here, note that we will start with an emphasis on problem definition: what is the problem we are trying to solve? We will discuss criteria that will allow us to think about the desirability of various policy options. Discussion will emphasize the role of evidence. What information do we need and where do policymakers get their knowledge about policies?TWO IMPORTANT POINTS about this class in Fall of 2021:
1) This course does NOT need to be taken in the first semester of the MPP program. Ideally students in the MPP program will enroll in this course before the final semester as it will be of great use for the capstone project.
2) The required textbook costs about $25 and students may be able to find a used copy (or a previous edition) for less. Required textbook: A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: the Eight Fold Path to More Effective Problem Solving by Eugene Bardach and Eric Patashnik, 6th edition (2019). The 5th or 4th editions are also fine.
- Who Should Take This Class?:
- MPP students and others interested in learning about policy analysis. Permission of instructor required if not enrolled in a Humphrey School degree graduate program in which PA 5002 is a required course. Priority given to students who require course to graduate.
- Learning Objectives:
- Students will engage in activities that satisfy many of the learning objectives of our MPP program. These include (1) using diverse sources of quantitative and qualitative evidence to define and structure policy problems, develop criteria for selecting among policy options, and make consise policy recommendations that convey tradeoffs among alternatives; (2) explain the limitations of evidence and the implications of uncertainty for policy making; (3) write clear, short and pervasive policy briefs for audiences with varying backgrounds and (4) make clear, short and pervasive presentations.
- Grading:
- Grades will be based on a variety of individual and group assignments and projects. No final exam.
- Class Format:
- Class time will include lecture, discussions by class, and work in groups.
- Workload:
- The university's policy titled "Expected student academic work per credit" indicates that at least two additional hours of work per week is expected for each hour of class time.
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/25813/1219
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 23 July 2021
ClassInfo Links - Fall 2021 Public Affairs Classes Taught by Judy Temple
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