SYLLABUSCourse Prefix/Number: PUP 5990/PUP5045
Course Title: Analytic Techniques for Public Policy Analysis
Course Credit Hours: 3.0
Instructor Name and Contact Information:
Bill Tankersley, Ph.D., CPA (inactive), CGFM
Email:
Telephone:
College of Professional Studies: 850.474.2338
College of Arts and Sciences: 850.474.2340
CELL: 850.449.2190
Office: Building 77, Suite 121, Room 121B
Building 50, Room 123
Prerequisites or Co-Requisites: NONE
Course Description: PUP 5990 provides students with a practical orientation and a “hands-on” approach to public policy analysis. The role of the policy analyst is explained in the context of the American public policy process and its institutional framework. Recognizing the need for students to develop specific work skills as they enter the public and not-for-profit sectors, attention is particularly focused upon the actual techniques required to perform policy analysis. Different policy areas are utilized to demonstrate the application of these techniques and afford the student experiences performing policy analysis.
Goals: Upon completion of the course, students will have developed a conceptual framework and a set of practical analytical tools suitable for either working as a policy analyst or working in one of the many roles found within the broader policy process which affects the public or not-for-profit agency. Students will be able to conceptualize policy issues and perform analysis of policy alternatives by drawing from a large selection of analytical techniques.
About this Course: This course is delivered completely online. You must have consistent access to the Internet.
Learning at a distance may be a very different environment for many of you. You generally set your own schedules, participate in class activities at your convenience, and work at your own pace. You may spend some additional time online during the first few weeks while you become acclimated to the online class format and you may feel overwhelmed. You should also be prepared to spend a significant amount of time preparing class assignments, completing lessons, activities, and participating in class discussions.
The Academic Training Center at UWF suggests that you may want to incorporate these tips to help you get started:
· Seta schedule for yourself-- check the course web site early in the class week to see what tasks you'll need to work on for the week.
· Become very familiar with the site and how to use it. It is a tool to help you learn!
· Team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and questions you might have. Check the “Classlist” link for biography info and email addresses of your classmates.
· Utilize the discussion forum titled, “Clarification of class instructions, assignments, and other questions for class mates.” This forum is provided for student use and interaction.
· Ask questions when you need answers. If you have problems, contact your instructor ASAP!
Topics to be covered in the course include:
1. The Process of Policy Analysis
2. Policy Analysis in the Policy-Making Process
3. Structuring Policy Problems
4. Forecasting Expected Policy Outcomes
5. Benefit Cost Analysis
6. Cost Effectiveness Analysis
7. Linking Policy Analysis to Cost Analysis and Activity Based Costing
8. Fundamentals of Cost Analysis
9. Using Cost Analysis for Government/Not-for-Profit Decisions
10. Activity-based Costing and Information Systems
11. Recommending Preferred Policies
12. Monitoring Observed Policy Outcomes
13. Evaluating Policy Performance
14. Developing Policy Arguments
15. Communicating Policy Analysis
Student Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to:
1. Define and illustrate policy analysis, elements of integrated policy analysis, and alternative forms of policy analysis.
2. Demonstrate the use of argumentation mapping analysis, scorecards, spreadsheets, influence diagrams and decision trees.
4. Discuss the strengths and limitations of different methods of problem structuring.
5. Evaluate extrapolative, theoretical and judgmental forecasting methods and techniques.
6. Demonstrate and explain benefit-cost analysis, including net present value concepts.
7. Explain the uses of cost effectiveness analysis.
8. Differentiate with examples the following: life-cycle cost, marginal cost, opportunity cost, direct cost, indirect cost, full cost, expense and expenditure, sunk cost, and fixed and variable costs.
9. Describe unit cost analysis and standard cost analysis.
10. Contrast comprehensive rational decision-making and disjointed incrementalism as decision-making models.
11. Present a writtencase study usingthe tools of policy research and analysis, and illustrate and discuss the logical linkage between policy analysis and cost analysis as they relate to the case under study.
12. Explain depreciation, inflation, the time value of money, and the basic methods for allocating costs as they relate topublic policy analysis.
Texts:
Required texts:
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving, (2005) 2nd Edition, Eugene Bardach, CQ Press, Washington D.C. ISBN: 1-56802-923-3
Cost Analysis and Activity-Based Costing for Government, (2004). R. Gregory Michel,GFOA Budgeting Series Volume 6, Government Finance Officers Association, Chicago, Il. Washington, D.C. ISBN 0-89125-268-1
Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, Third Edition (2004). William N. Dunn, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey ISBN 0-13-097639-3.
Required Materials:
Internet Access
E-mail Account
Grading / Evaluation:
The course grade will be determined as follows:
Grade Component Weight Component
Research Paper 20%
Session Assignments50%
Mid-term Examination15%
Final Examination 15%
Total100%
Special Technology Utilized by Students: This course is totally online. All instructional content and interaction takes place over the WWW. In addition to baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving email with attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and upload / download files. In addition, students may need one or more of the following plug-ins:
· Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
· PowerPointViewer: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D1649C22-B51F-4910-93FC-4CF2832D3342&displaylang=en
· Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
· Quicktime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
· Real Player: http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=windows/RealOnePlayerV2GOLD.exe&p=RealOne+Player&oem=dl&tagtype=ie&type=dl
· Macromedia Flash Player:
http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
ASSISTANCE:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related accommodations should contact Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS), , (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations