| PUP 4004 | Keith Dougherty | |
| M,W 7:50-9:05 p.m. | Office: DM 486C, (305) 348-6429 | |
| Primera Casa (PC), Room 439 | Office Hours: M&W, 4:30-6 pm | |
| Spring, 1999 | Home: (305) 531-7882 |
Public Policy
This course introduces students to the methods and subject of policy analysis. Substantive areas are scheduled throughout the course, but one subject area, welfare policy, is analyzed in detail.
The course is divided into three sections. The first section introduces several techniques commonly used in evaluating policy, including preference theory, cost-benefit analysis, and decision theory. The section also introduces classical market mechanisms and the problem of public decision-making when such mechanisms fail. The second section of the course focuses on a specific substantive topic -- welfare policy. Rather than skim over several areas, we will learn to apply our skills in detail to Welfare policy. We will learn about welfare programs of the United States federal government and how these programs affect the poor. Finally, the third section of the course is primarily up to you. Working in groups, each student will lead the class through a new policy area not previously discussed in the course and act more or less as teachers for a day. I will start off this section with a two-day discussion of common pool resource problems and fisheries. We will study some of the institutional solutions proposed and with your contributions, end an analytically rigorous yet enjoyable semester.
Grading and Make-Ups
Your final grade is based on attendance, one problem set, three exams (the last of which is optional), your performance on your teaching day, and a policy evaluation paper.
Attendance
Attendance makes up 5% of your grade. However, I reserve the right to round final grades up 1/2% for students who make insightful contributions to classroom discussions. This should give you reason to attend class and engage your fellow students in lively discussion.
Problem Set
The problem set requires you to apply the skills taught in the first part of the course. Working on this problem will help you prepare for the first exam and assure that you are learning the basic techniques of a policy analyst. The problem set comprises 5% of your final grade.
Exams
55% of your grade is reserved for three exams -- the third of which is optional. The first exam covers materials from the analytical part of the course. The format includes multiple choice, fill in the blank, and essay type questions worth 20% of your final grade. The second exam follows a similar format and covers topics discussed in the welfare part of the course. It is less analytical and places a heavier emphasis on writing than the first. The third exam will be held on the last day of class. It covers the topics discussed during the teaching days as well as my discussions on common pool resources and fisheries. Taking the third exam is optional. Students who don't take the third exam will receive a course grade averaged from the other parts of the course. The third exam can help or hurt your grade so it is totally your choice.
Make-up Exams
If you miss the first exam for a good reason, you will be allowed to complete a make-up exam on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 4:30 p.m., meeting in DM 486C. If you will be miss the second exam for a good reason, you will be allowed to complete a make-up exam on Wednesday, March 17 at 4:30 p.m., meeting in DM 486C. THERE WILL BE NO OTHER TIME TO MAKE UP EXAM #1 OR EXAM #2 AND NO MAKE-UP FOR EXAM #3. NO EXCUSES! It also should be noted that make-up exams will be considerably more difficult than regular exams. Please plan ahead.
In Class Teaching
Half way through the course, I will ask you to select a policy and form into groups of four around these policy topics. This policy can be any broad area of public policy such as health, education, or immigration policy. I will then randomly assign each group to one of the teaching days designated in the later part of the course. On this day you, and your group, will teach the class. You will assign readings at least one week before the class, create a short lecture, and prepare discussion questions related to your policy area. Assign any readings you want, as long as it is within reason -- say less than 30 pages. Creative approaches to teaching are encouraged.
Your teaching grade will be based on your knowledge of the topic, analysis of the applicable programs, ability to lead the class through a comprehensive discussion, and style. Teaching makes up 10% of your grade and should be an enjoyable part of the course.
Participation during Teaching Days
In order to assure that you show the same respect to your colleagues as they will show to you, part of your teaching grade will depend upon participation during teaching days not assigned to you. As a member of the audience, you are expected to read assignments, engage in classroom discussions, and make insightful contributions. Participants will be graded on a five point scale for each of the four teaching days. Those who do not attend a teaching day will receive a zero for the day. Those that make insightful contributions will receive a five -- with emphasis placed on the content of your contributions, not the volume of your contributions.
Policy Paper
The class culminates in an 8-12 page policy paper that is worth 20% of your final grade. Unlike teaching days that focus on a broad policy topic, this paper should analyze a particular government program -- existing, previously existing, or proposed. Such analysis requires a careful application of the theoretical concepts learned in the first part of the course to a policy program of your choosing. I recommend that students select a topic that is related to their teaching field. This will make the two assignments much easier.
Late Papers
Policy papers require research and a fair amount of analysis time. Please plan ahead to avoid turning them in late. Paper grades will be lowered one letter grade for every working day they are late. If your paper is late, it would be a good idea to turn it into the Department of Political Science (DM 480) or stick them under my office door (DM 486C) as soon as possible to minimize unnecessary late penalties. Grades are lowered every working day they are late, not every class day they are late.
| Due Date | % of Grade | |
| ATTENDANCE | -- | 5% |
| PROBLEM SET | Feb 8 | 5% |
| EXAM 1 | Feb 17 | 20% |
| EXAM 2 | Mar 15 | 20% |
| IN CLASS TEACHING | Mar 31 - Apr 12 | 10% |
| PARTICIPATION IN TEACHING DAYS | Mar 31 - Apr 12 | 5% |
| POLICY EVALUATION PAPER | Mar 31 | 20% |
| EXAM 3 (optional) | Apr 14 | 15% |
Required Texts
We will read both theoretical and substantive works in this course that vary in length and difficulty. Analytical assignments are more difficult than substantive assignments and may require a second reading in order for you to fully comprehend them. YOU SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE ASSIGNMENT ONCE (AT LEAST SUPERFICIALLY) BEFORE COMING TO CLASS! Reading before class helps the discussions run more smoothly, prevents over-lecturing, and allows you to gain more from the course. Expect two hours of reading for every hour of class time, except during exams.
Schedule of Topics and Readings