GSPA

PAD 531, Course Syllabus PAD 531, Public Policy Formulation and Implementation

Instructor: Richard Box, D.P.A.
Phones: (ofc) (719) 593-3485; (res) (719) 592-9659
Text: Jones, "An Introduction to the Study of Public Policy, 3rd ed.; Waste, "The Ecology of City Policymaking."

Course Description: Creation of public policy is a fascinating part of governance at all levels. This course is designed to familiarize the student with the process of policy formulation and policy implementation as well as with the substan ce of some of the important policy problems facing government today. The semester's work examines national and local government policy matters using models of policy formulation to develop understanding of complex and challenging policy settings. The co urse is conducted in seminar/discussion format and active, well prepared student participation is essential.

Policy Papers: Class members will prepare and present for class discussion four policy papers, each no more than six double-spaced pages in length. The policy papers will be based on assigned chapters from the texts, two papers related to J ones and two to Waste. The first two papers will each describe a current national policy issue of the student's choice and the third and fourth papers will each deal with a local issue (any locality). The policy papers will be presented to the class, wi th a one-page handout outline. In-class time will be used to identify issues class members might explore in their papers.

The class member's name, the assigned chapter numbers, and the date the paper is due will be at the top of the first page of each paper. A reference list of sources used will be included and citations will be in the parenthetical reference list fo rmat described in Chapters 8 and 11 of the fifth edition or Turabian's "A Manual For Writers." The body of the paper will be divided into three sections with headings and contents as given below:

1. The Policy Issue: A brief discussion of important events in the policy case.
2. Concepts Used: Identification of the concepts to be used from the assigned readings, with rationale for choices made.
3. Analysis: Use of concepts chosen from the assigned readings to analyze the policy case.

Threshold Writing Requirement: The ability to communicate accurately and effectively in writing is an essential part of academic and professional work. Since this is a university-level course and a course within a professional degree progra m there is a required threshold level of competence in writing which preempts grading on other aspects of student performance. This means that to pass the course, class members must in all written work use appropriate language, structure, and citation st yle.

Grading: There will be 25 points possible in the course, as follows: Policy papers, five points each, total 20 points; class participation, 5 points. Late work accepted with a penalty.

Schedule of Classes: There are four reading sets associated with the four policy papers. One or two class sessions will be spent discussing each reading set and presentation of the related policy papers will follow in the next two or three c lass sessions. The reading sets are:

Introduction: Jones, Chapters 1,2,3,10.

Set #1, Problem identification, Proposal formulation, Program approval: Jones, Chapters 4,5,6.
Set #2, Implementation & evaluation: Jones, Chapter 8 & 9.
Set #3, Policy life cycle and locale: Waste, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6.
Set #4, Policy types: Waste, Chapters 4 & 5.

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