Kay 386 Public Policy

Kay 386 Public Policy

PUAD 315 PUBLIC POLICY
SPRING 2013
Lecturer: Associate Professor Mete Yıldız / E-mail:
Class Time: Thursdays, 10:30-12:30, B105; 13:30-15:55, A402 / Telephone: 297-8725

Course Description and Objectives

This is an introductory course in public policy. The nature of public policy and how it is made will be explored by examining some of the current debates in public policy at the national and international level.

This course will enable the students to:

  • Learn the nature and basic concepts of public policy
  • Use these concepts to analyze public policy problems
  • Develop skills for working and problem solving in a group

Assignments

Midterm (30%): The midterm exam will cover the assigned readings as well as class lectures.

Final Exam (50%): The final exam will cover all assigned readings as well as class lectures.

Analysis Papers (%20) Analysis of the readings for the last 4 weeks.

MS Word written analyses are due at the beginning of each class. Late work will not be accepted.

Textbooks

  1. Parsons, Wayne (1995). Public Policy: An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
  2. Goldhamer, Herbert (1978). The Adviser, New York: Elsevier Publishing.
  3. American Public Policy Problems: An Introductory Guide by Charles F. Bonser, Eugene B. McGregor, Jr., and Clinton V. Oster, Jr. (Prentice-Hall; Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; Second edition; 2000).
  4. Additional readings (will be distributed by photocopy or other means)

Course Plan (Dates and Topics may change)

Date (2013) / TopIc / ReadIng
September 17, / Course Introduction / --
September 24 / What is public policy? / Goldhamer, pp. 7-27.
Parsons, pp. xv-xviii, 1-16.
October 1 / Development of the policy approach / -Read Parsons, pp. 16-41
October 8 / Philosophical Framework / Parsons, pp. 41-54
October 15 / Religious Holiday / --
October 22 / Instructor will be in a conference. / --
October 29 / National Holiday / --
November 5 / Analysis & the Policy Process / Parsons, pp. 54-81
November 12 / Public Opinion & Public Policy, Agenda Control,Implementation / Parsons, pp. 110-131.
Parsons, pp. 461-483.
November 19 / Globalization & Public Policy / Bonser et al. Chapter 6
November 25 / Analysis Number 1 / Right to Die
December 3 / Analysis Number 2 / School Vouchers
December 10 / Analysis Number 3 / Graying Planet
December 17 / Analysis Number 4 / Future of the EU
December 24 / Analysis Number 5 / Social Networking and Privacy
December 31 / General Overview

PUAD 315 ANALYSIS FORMAT

Use the other side of this sheet if necessary.

Name:______

Topic:______

Date: ______

Identify the Problem (Two sentences maximum)

What are the alternative courses of action to solve this problem? (State at least two other alternatives in addition to doing nothing) What are the criteria to evaluate these alternatives? (State at least four criteria) Use the following table to answer these two questions.

Alternatives / Criterion 1: / C2: / C3: / C4:
1. Do nothing
2.
3.

Are there any externalities related to some or all of the alternatives?

Which alternative is the best available solution to our problem? Why?

Do you think that there will be any complications/ difficulties during the implementation of the solution you selected above? If yes, what are they?

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