PPA 670 Seminar in Public Policy Office: Rm.

ET 250
Issue Analysis – HYBRID CLASS
Instructor: Dr. John Ostrowski
Tues. 4:00 - 6:45 P.M., Thurs. Virtual Class
Code 8224 sect. 3 SPA 112
Fall Semester, 2009 (Oct. 27)
Ph. (562)985-5634 or (562)985-4178
E-mail jostrow@csulb.edu
Office Hours: Tues. 3:00 – 4:00 PM,
and by appointment

SYLLABUS

PURPOSE The purpose of this course is introduce students in the MPA program to the theories
and techniques of policy analysis. The course is designed to both promote an understanding of
the theories and approaches to policy analysis and help the student to acquire a working
knowledge of the skills involved in the practice of policy analysis.

STRUCTURE This course is structured as a hybrid class. This means that there are two types of
class sessions each week. On Tuesday evenings there will be a traditional, in-class
lecture/discussion session. While the second session is nominally scheduled for Thursdays, it
will actually be a virtual class that students may participate in at any time during the specified
time period. STUDENTS IN THIS COURSE MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER
CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET AND ACCESS TO BEACHBOARD. The core of the
course follows the policy analysis cycle from the recognition that a policy problem exists
through defining that problem, developing alternative solutions, analyzing alternatives, and
selecting a policy option to policy implementation and evaluation. In addition, the course makes
use of several case studies that allow application of the analytical techniques under discussion to
actual policy problems.

ASSUMPTIONS Policy analysis is a field that requires both a careful attention to detail and a
clear understanding of the political constraints and consequences of policy options. This course
assumes that students have a solid working knowledge of public administration theory and a
good understanding of the political processes that impact political decision making at both
federal and state/local levels.

REQUIREMENTS Each student will be required to demonstrate both a working knowledge of

the skills involved in policy analysis and an understanding of the theoretical foundations of the
discipline and its applications. Each student will be required to complete a policy case study,
fully participate in class discussions, complete Internet-based assignments and a web-based
journal (blog) and successfully complete a comprehensive final exam.
Incompletes are not normally given. If professional travel requires the missing of a class session,
see the instructor prior to the class to be missed. It is the responsibility of the student to make
sure that all written assignments are handed in on time. Make-up exams will be given only upon
receipt of a verified substantial medical excuse.
It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor of any disability-related requests for
modification to course requirements sufficiently in advance of the due date to facilitate
alternative arrangements.
All University policies regarding plagiarism, cheating, receipt of outside assistance, and use of a
term paper for more than one course must be observed.

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Withdrawals from the class made through an Administrative drop will be graded as a “W”
(withdrawal.) Students who stop attending the course, do not complete the course requirements
and do not administratively withdraw will be graded with a “WU” (withdrawal – unauthorized)
which translates into an “F” for the course on the transcript. University policy precludes
graduate students from re-taking a course in which a grade of “F” is received.

PROFICIENCY ELEMENTS

Exam. There will be one exam in this course: a comprehensive final. The exam will be take-
home. Exam format will consist of essay and short-answer questions. A sample exam is
available on my web site.

Policy Case Study. The required paper for this class is a case study analysis of a real-world
policy issue. The case study to be used is found on library E-Reserves. The case study analysis is
designed to prepare students for the capstone PPA697 class. Details of this paper are presented at
the end of the syllabus. This paper is due as noted in the syllabus.. Note: This assignment is to
be included in the Learning Portfolio.

Assignments This class will be conducted partially via a web-based learning environment.
Students are required to participate in the web discussions and complete all web-based
assignments. Instructions for completing web-based assignments will be covered in the first class
meeting. Additional assignments may be made by the instructor.

Policy Journal. In lieu of a traditional mid-term exam, this class will utilize a web-based policy
journal (often referred to as a “blog”). Each student will be required to make 2 journal entries
and comment on at least 4 journal entries made by other students in the class. The journal will be
kept in the BeachBoard web environment. Details on this assignment are provided at the end of
this syllabus.

Grading Grades for this course will be based on the issue paper, assignments, policy journal
and final exam. A points break-down and grading summary
GRADING SUMMARY
Case Study 100 pts.
Assignments (max. possible) 300 pts.
Policy Journal 100 pts.
Final Exam 100 pts.

Total 600 pts.

Grades for the class are based on a percentage of total points actually utilized in class (may be
less than the total noted above.) A= 90 – 100%, B = 80 – 89%, C= 70 – 79%, D = 60 – 69%, F
= below 60%

Use of academic technology in this class

This course makes use of several forms of academic technology, including the web, e-reserves
and BeachBoard. Students are required to use of this technology to fulfill the requirements for
this course. To participate in the academic technology elements of this course, students must

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have access to, and be able to use:
• A computer, equipped with Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or newer and word-processing
software capable of reading Microsoft Word XP files.
• The internet. Specifically, the World Wide Web. Whatever internet service provider is
used must be capable of accessing Web pages, BeachBoard and Acrobat files.
• An account on BeachBoard.

Computers are available to students on campus at the Horne Computing Center. Additionally,
limited access may be available in the Center office. All e-assignments will be posted in
BeachBoard. E-assignments may involve BeachBoard, CSULB library e-reserves and files
downloaded from the instructor’s web site. Students are responsible for completing e-
assignments on time and submitting material as specified in the assignment. If there is a failure
of campus technology/access, the instructor will notify students of the specific alternative
methods for assignment completion. Failure of a student’s computer does not relieve the student
from the responsibility of completing the e-assignment by the assigned deadline.
On-line assignments will be graded by both participation and quality of participation as indicated
in the specific assignment. Point values are assigned in each assignment. The instructor will
monitor all on-line submissions for compliance with University policies and assignment
requirements. All University and Center policies regarding cheating, plagiarism and multiple
submissions of the same work apply to all e-assignments.

Texts: All texts are required.

Bardach, Eugene. A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis. 3rd. Edition.
Kraft, Michael and Scott Furlong. Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. 2nd.
Edition

Supplemental Course Materials (these materials will be placed in the Course Documents section
of BeachBoard)

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E-Reserves. The following are on e-reserve at the CSULB library. Instructions for accessing e-
reserves will be provided the first class. All e-reserve assignments are required.

Dunn, William, Public Policy Analysis, An Introduction, Chapter 5: Structuring Policy

Problems.
Starling, Grover, The Politics and Economics of Public Policy: an Introductory
Analysis with Cases, Chapter 6: Developing a Range of Alternatives
Gupta, Dipak, Analyzing Public Policy: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques, Chapter
13: The Elements of Strategic Thinking: Decision Tree and Game Theory
Brewer, Garry and Peter DeLeon, The Foundations of Policy Analysis, Chapter 7:
Estimation and Selection are Different
Quade, Edward, Analysis for Public Decisions, Chapter 19: Implementation
Dye, Thomas, Understanding Public Policy, Chapter 14: Policy Evaluation

Additional Policy Sources:

Web Sites:
RAND http://www.rang.ord

North American Public

http://www.public-policy.org
Policy News

Association for Public

Policy Analysis http://www.appam.org
and Mgmt.

List of school of public

http://www.fsu.edu/~spap/orgs/pschool.html
policy

Brookings Institute http://www.brookings.org/dybdocroot/

Institute of Governmental
http://www.igs.berkeley.edu:8880/library/gallery-us.html
Studies

Links to issues sites http://www.politicalinformation.com

Policy analysis tutorial http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppae/ppae1.html

American Political Science

http://www.apsapolicysection.org/links.html
Assoc.

American Enterprise
http://www.aei.org/
Institute

Careers in public policy http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/career/links.html

Texts:

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Anderson, James. Public Policymaking: An Introduction
Anton, Thomas. American Federalism and Public Policy: How the System Works
Bardach, Eugene. The Implementation Game
Baumgartner, Frank & Bryan Jones. Agendas and Instability in American Politics
Birkland, Thomas. An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of
Public Policy Making
Bobrow, Davis & John Drysek. Policy Analysis by Design
Davis, David. How the Bureaucracy Makes Foreign Policy
Dery, David. Problem Definition in Policy Analysis
Dror, Yehezkel. Public Policymaking Reexamined
Dunn, William. Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction
Dye, Thomas. Understanding Public Policy
Edwards, George. Implementing Public Policy
Fischer, Frank. Evaluating Public Policy
Formaini, Robert. The Myth of Scientific Public Policy
Gilmour, Robert & Alexis Halley, Who Makes Public Policy?
Goldwin, Robert. Bureaucrats, Policy Analysts, Statesmen: Who Leads?
Goggin, M, A. Bowman, J. Lester, & L. O’Toole. Implementation Theory and Practice
Gramlich, Edward. A Guide to Benefit-Cost Analysis
Harvey, Averch. Private Markets/Public Intervention
Ham, Christopher & Michael Hill. The Policy Process in the Modern Capitalist State
Haveman, Robert & Julius Margolis. Public Expenditure and Policy Analysis
Hawkesworth, M.E. Theoretical Issues in Policy Analysis
Hayes, Michael. Incrementalism and Public Policy
Heineman, R., W. Bluhm, S. Peterson, & E. Kearny. The World of the Policy Analyst
Hofferbert, Richard. The Reach and Grasp of Policy Analysis
Hogwood, Brian & B. Guy Peters. Policy Dynamics
Hoos, Ida. Systems Analysis in Public Policy
House, Peter & Roger Shull. The Practice of Policy Analysis: Forty Years of Art & Technology
Jenkings-Smith, Hank. Democratic Politics and Policy Analysis
Kingdon, John. Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies
Levy, John. Essential Microeconomics for Public Policy Analysis
Lindblom, Charles. Inquiry and Social Change
Lindblom, Charles. The Policy-Making Process
Lowi, Theodore. The End of Liberalism: The Second Republic of the United States

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MacRae, Duncan & Dale Whittington. Expert Advice for Policy Choice: Analysis and Discourse
MacRae, Duncan & James Wilde. Policy Analysis for Public Decisions
Majone, Giandomenico. Evidence, Argument, and Persuasion in the Policy Process
Meltsner, Arnold. Policy Analysts in the Bureaucracy
Nagel, Stuart. Policy Studies: Integration and Evaluation
Nay, Joe & Peg Kay. Government Oversight and Evaluability Assessment
Paris, David & James Reynolds. The Logic of Policy Inquiry
Park, Myung Soo. Public Policy: Emerging Dimensions in Public Administration
Patton, Carl & David Sawicki. Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning
Peters, Guy. American Public Policy: Promise and Performance
Poister, Theodore. Public Program Analysis
Putt, Allen & J. Fred Springer. Policy Research: Concepts, Methods, and Applications
Quade, Edward S. Analysis for Public Decisions
Pressman, Jeffrey & Aaron Wildavsky. Implementation
Rhoads, Steven. The Economist’s View of the World
Ripley, Randall & Grace Franklin. Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation
Rivlin, Alice. Systematic Thinking for Social Action
Rochefort, David & Roger Cobb. The Politics of Problem Definition
Rosen, Harvey. Public Finance
Rossi, Peter. Evaluation: A Systematic Approach
Sabatier, Paul. Theories of the Policy Process
Schmid, A. Allan. Benefit-Cost Analysis: A Political Economy Approach
Schulman, Paul. Large-Scale Policy Making
Starling, Grover. The Politics and Economics of Public Policy
Stoker, Robert. Reluctant Partners: Implementing Federal Policy
Stokey, Edith & Richard Zeckhauser. A Primer for Policy Analysis
Stone, Deborah. Policy Paradox and Political Reason
Stone, Deborah. Policy Paradox and the Art of Political Decision Making
Theodoulou, Stella and Matthew Cahn. Public Policy: The Essential Readings
Tong, Rosemarie. Ethics in Policy Analysis
Weimer, David & Aidan Vining. Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice
Wholey, Joseph. Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation
Wildavsky, Aaron. Speaking Truth to Power: The Art and Craft of Policy Analysis

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 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Key: B = Bardach K&F = Kraft & Furlong S = Supplement

CLASS DATE TOPIC

Tues. Oct 27 A Framework for Public Policy Analysis
Objectives:
1. To define course procedures, requirements and expectations.
2. To define the environment of public policy.
3. To integrate policy analytical approaches.
4. To overview the roles of policy actors and institutions.

Assignment: B Part I – The Eightfold Path, pg. 1 – 59

Assignment: K&F Chs. 1, 2, 4

Thurs. Oct. 29 BeachBoard #1 – Recognizing Public Policy Issues

Objectives:
1. Gain experience in recognizing policy issues.
2. Learn the difference between public and private policy issues.

Assignment: B – Appendix B, K&F Chs. 5, 7

BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Nov. 3 Defining Policy Issues

Objectives:
1. To overview the dimensions of policy issues and understand the role
of research.
2. to understand the role of politics in defining policy issues.
3. To review how to formalize a policy problem.

Assignment: K&F ch. 3, Dunn, William, Public Policy Analysis, An

Introduction, Chapter 5: Structuring Policy Problems.
Initial Skills Assessment due.

Thurs. Nov. 5 BeachBoard #2 – Defining Policy Issues

Objectives:
1. To gain practice in defining public policy issues.
2. To gain practice in assessing the role of politics in the problem
definition process.

Assignment: K&F ch 8 – Healthcare Policy

BeachBoard Assignment

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Tues. Nov. 10 Agenda-setting/ Developing Alternative Policy Solutions
Objectives:
1. To understand the role of agenda-setting in the policy process.
2. To explore processes for developing alternatives.

Assignment: B – Part II pg. 61 – 89, , Starling, Grover, The Politics and

Economics of Public Policy: an Introductory Analysis with Cases,
Chapter 6: Developing a Range of Alternatives
** 1st. Web Journal Due.**

Thurs. Nov. 12 BeachBoard #3 – Agendas and Alternatives

Objectives:
1. To apply concepts in agenda-setting
2. To gain experience in developing policy alternatives.

Assignment: K&F Ch. 10 -- Education Policy

BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Nov. 17 Analyzing Alternatives

Objectives:
1. To overview models of alternative analysis.
2. To assess appropriate techniques for analyzing alternatives

Assignment: B Part III pg. 91 – 105, K&F ch. 6. Shermer, Game Theory
– Doping in Sports (in course documents on BB)

Thurs. Nov. 19 BeachBoard #4 – Analyzing Alternatives

Objectives:
1. To understand strategic thinking in alternative assessment
2. To apply analytical techniques to policy alternatives

Assignment: Gupta, Dipak, Analyzing Public Policy: Concepts, Tools,

and Techniques, Chapter 13: The Elements of Strategic Thinking:
Decision Tree and Game Theory
BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Nov. 24 Economic Analysis – Cost/Benefit Analysis

Objectives:
1. To survey economic models used in policy analysis
2. To examine the use of cost/benefit analysis in policy analysis
3. To examine the use of Net Present Value Analysis in policy analysis

Assignment: BeachBoard materials

Tues. Dec. 1 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis/ Policy Selection

Objectives:

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 1. To understand the application of CEA in policy analysis
2. To overview selection approaches for policy alternatives

Assignment: Brewer, Garry and Peter DeLeon, The Foundations of

Policy Analysis, Chapter 7: Estimation and Selection are Different
** Second Web Journal due**

Thurs. Dec. 3 BeachBoard #5 – Selecting Policies

Objectives:
1. To develop an understanding of policy selection techniques.
2. To gain experience in applying selection techniques to a policy issue.

Assignment: K&F ch. 9 – Welfare Policy

BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Dec. 8 Implementation/Evaluation

Objectives:
1. To gain an understanding of the role of implementation in the policy
process.
2. To review strategies and techniques for policy evaluation.

Assignment: Quade, Edward, Analysis for Public Decisions, Chapter 19:

Implementation. Dye, Thomas, Understanding Public Policy, Chapter
14: Policy Evaluation
**Policy Issue Paper Due** **Final Exam Distributed**

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Thurs. Dec. 10 BlackBoard #7 – Implementation/Evaluation
Objectives:
1. To review practices in policy implementation and evaluation
2. To apply evaluation strategies to a policy issue

Assignment: K&F ch. 12

BeachBoard Assignment

Tues. Dec. 15 **Final Exam due** Due by 4:15 PM.

All Assignments are Tentative and Subject to Change

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 Case Study Analysis
Instructions

You are to prepare a case analysis of the “Public Policy Analysis: Northern Sphere Municipal
Utility” which is located on E-Reserves. The materials for the case study are located in two files
and a folder. The case analysis is to cover all of the elements noted below. It is not necessary to
utilize additional resources for the case analysis but all material used in the case analysis must be
properly cited. The case analysis should be from 8 – 10 pages. (100 pts.)

Papers must follow the format below. Sections must be clearly noted.

Section One: Problem/Issue Statement: The problem/issue section will focus on the
policy problem or issue central to the case study.
• Discuss the reasons for and evolution of the policy issue.
• Define the issue in terms of critical dimensions/boundaries.

Section Two: Stakeholders: Identify and discuss each of the major stakeholders for this
issue.
• Clearly describe each stakeholder’s position on the issue.
• Assess their overall influence in the selection of a policy option

Section Three: Issue Formalization. This section should focus on analytical elements that
assist in formalizing the policy issue for resolution.
• Discuss the structural complexity of the issue and how that is determined in the
case study.
• Analyze the policy agenda for the issue and discuss the role of government in
agendizing this issue as well as the significant policy actors in the agenda-
setting process.
• Identify the formal policy issue.

Section Four: Policy Alternatives: This section should include a narrative explaining each
policy alternative. Be specific.
• Discuss the source of each alternative.
• Detail all stakeholders supporting and opposing the alternative and why they are
taking their position.
• Discuss measurable outcomes that may be identified, and assess costs identified
with each alternative.

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 Section Five: Alternative Assessment: this section should focus on the approaches and
techniques used to analyze the alternatives.
• Discuss how economic analysis is incorporated into the alternative assessment.
What techniques are used and what are the major conclusions.
• Beyond economic analysis, what other analytical approaches are used in the case
to assess the policy alternatives? How effective are they?

Section Six: Conclusion/Recommendation: This section is designed to pull together a

summary of the pros/cons of each alternative. It can be presented as a recommendation for
one alternative over another, or an overall summary of the benefits and drawbacks of the
alternatives based on the assessment criteria used in the case study.

Style:
The style used for this paper is to be the APA (American Psychological Association) in-
text citation method. Papers must be typed or word-processed, double-spaced, with an
appropriate cover sheet. It is not necessary to place the paper in any sort of folder. Stapled in
the upper left corner is sufficient. The paper should be as long as necessary to thoroughly cover
the topic being addressed. Normally, this means 8--10 pages. Care must be taken with all
grammar, punctuation and spelling.

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 Grading Rubric

Element Weigh Evaluation Criteria

t

Problem Statement 20 Clearly describes the development of the problem or

issue, incorporates a discussion of all
dimensions/boundaries, and provides supporting
information for every claim in this section.

Stakeholder Analysis 15 Stakeholders are clearly identified, contains a clear

and concise statement of their concerns and
assessment of their influence.

Issue Formalization 10 Fully discusses the structural complexity of the issue

and all aspects of the agenda-setting process.

Policy Alternatives 15 Clearly describes each policy alternative presented in

the case study. Discusses each relevant stakeholder’s
position on the alternative and identifies measurable
outcomes from the alternative

Alternative Assessment 15 Clearly presents assessment criteria along with a

justification for using the selected criteria. Includes a
thorough assessment of economic assessment
techniques used.

Conclusion/ 10 Clearly pulls together a summary of the pros/cons of

Recommendations each alternative.

Completeness and Quality of 15 All issues are addressed completely and thoroughly.
Writing The analysis is well organized; grammatically
correct; minimal typos or misspellings

Total 100

Score/Grade Key
100 95 90 89 85 80 75 69 65
Superior Excellent Very Good Adequate Borderlin Deficient Very Fail
Good e Poor
(A+) (A) (A-) (B+) (B) (C) (D) (F)
(B-)

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 Grading Sheet

Element Score Evaluation Comments

Problem Statement (20)

Stakeholder Analysis (15)

Issue Formalization (10)

Policy Alternatives (15)

Alternative Assessment (15)

Conclusion/ Recommendations
(10)

Completeness and Quality of

Writing (15)

Total (100) Grade:

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MPA STUDENT LEARNING PORTFOLIO
CORE COURSE PRE AND POST INSTRUCTIONAL ASSIGNMENT FORM

This form must be completed and attached to the pre and post instructional portfolio
assignment for each core course.

Instructions for Students: Please submit your pre-instructional and post-instructional portfolio
assessment assignments to your course instructor for approval.

Student Name___________________________________

Student ID______________________________

Student e-mail___________________________________

Course Number: PPA 670 Policy Issue Analysis

Semester/Year: Fall Semester, 2009

Instructions for Course Instructor: Please print and sign your name to indicate approval of the
pre and post instructional assignments.

John Ostrowski________________________________
Instructor Name

________________________________ _______________________
Instructor Signature Date

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Policy Journal

The purpose of the policy journal is to expose students to real-world current policy issues, relate
those issues to the concepts, theories and techniques being discussed and to encourage discussion
among students on those issues.
Environment: The web journal for this class will be kept in the Discussion area of the
BeachBoard learning environment. This means the journal will be a variation on a web-based
log or “blog” as it is commonly known. Students are required to access BeachBoard to complete
this assignment (see syllabus section on Academic Technology for specifics.)
Procedure: At 2 points during the class each student will be required to post a journal entry in
the appropriate section of BeachBoard. Once the time-window for submissions is closed, each
student will be required to post at least 2 comments on other student’s postings (must be 2
different student postings.) All comments must be of a substantive nature.
Specifics:
First journal posting. The first journal posting must relate the concepts and procedures of public
policy problem recognition and definition to a current policy issue. This post must be posted to
BeachBoard by midnight on Nov. 10. Comments must be posted between Nov. 10 -- 12.
Second journal posting. The second journal posting to BeachBoard must relate the concepts and
techniques related to policy agenda-setting, alternative determination and alternative analysis to
a current policy issue. This post must be made by midnight, Dec. 1. Comments must be posted
between Dec. 1 -- 3.
Details of each journal assignment will be posted in the Discussion section of BeachBoard.

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