Course Syllabus

V512 Policy Processes and Strategies

Jill Nicholson-Crotty

jillnich@indiana.edu

Office Hours by Appointment

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course is an introduction to the policymaking process. It will help you to understand the ways in which governments learn of, interpret, and respond to public problems. It will also expose you to a wide variety of ways in which we attempt to understand the policy process and explain the behavior of policymakers. Finally, it will provide you will some of the tools necessary to successfully negotiate the policy process when you leave SPEA and take positions in government or the third sector. The course is focused on policymaking within the context of American governmental institutions. We will study the process at the federal, state, and local levels. These different levels of the U.S. federal system, and the mechanisms of the policy process within them, are obviously distinct in important ways. However, the theories, concepts, and examples from each are also applicable in important ways to policymaking in the other two. They are also, in some cases applicable to policy making in other Democratic systems and we will draw those comparisons and contrasts whenever possible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the semester, you will (be able to):

1. Assess how various levels of government (local, state, and federal) play a role in the public policy process.
2. Analyze the genesis, creation and implementation of an existing policy.
3. Identify the various policy theories and understand how they apply to policy-making.
4. Identify the importance of politics, culture, history, and perception in policy-making.
5. Write persuasively.
6. Use evidence and data to support an argument.
7. Articulate and present a case for and against an issue succinctly and thoughtfully, both in writing and in spoken presentation form.
8. Practice working in a team to policy-related solution

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

There are no required texts. You will read a number of chapters and articles that can be accessed online or are found on canvas. If you prefer having written materials, the content for the course is also found in the texts below. There are a number of versions of these so, if you decide to purchase a textbook, reach out to me and we can work together to match the chapters in your version with the course content.

Weible, Christopher and Paul Sabatier, Theories of the Policy Process. 4^th Edition.

Smith, C.  Writing Public Policy. Oxford University Press. (any edition but check with me regarding chapters)

CLASS FORMAT

This is a web-based course and, thus, our interaction will be primarily via canvas.  Our online exchanges will be primarily asynchronous (that is, not at concurrent times). Asynchronous does not mean self-paced. There are weekly assignments and firm due dates for the completion of all course requirements.

Most of our interactions will occur in the context of Canvas. The class consists of readings, documentaries, and cases

COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

 O’Neill School expectations of civility and professional conduct[1]

The O’Neill School takes matters of honesty and integrity seriously because O’Neill is the training ground for future leaders in government, civic organizations, health organizations, and other institutions charged with providing resources for the public, and for members of society who are vulnerable and who are lacking in power and status. Precisely because O’Neill graduates tend to rise to positions of power and responsibility, it is critical that the lessons of honesty and integrity are learned early.

O’Neill requires that all members of its community – students, faculty, and staff – treat others with an attitude of mutual respect both in the classroom and during all academic and nonacademic activities outside the classroom. A student is expected to show respect through behavior that promotes conditions in which all students can learn without interruption or distraction. These behaviors foster an appropriate atmosphere inside and outside the classroom:

• Students are expected to attend class regularly and to be prepared for class.
• Students must be punctual in their arrival to class and be present and attentive for the duration of the class. Eating, sleeping, doing work for another class, wandering in and out of the classroom, and packing up or leaving class early are not civil or professional behaviors.
• Students must abide by the course policy regarding use of electronic devices in the classroom.
• Students must responsibly participate in class activities and during team meetings.
• Students must address faculty members, other students, and others appropriately and with respect, whether in person, in writing, or in electronic communications.
• Students must show tolerance and respect for others.
• Students must not destroy or deface classroom property nor leave litter in the classroom.

Use of generative AI (such as ChatGPT) in this class. 

Using AI to assist in completing assignments in this class is prohibited unless noted in specific assignment. If you do use AI, you will be committing plagiarism* and will be subject to penalties in this class and sanctions by Indiana University. You are permitted to use the free version of Grammarly and Microsoft Word’s spelling and grammar tool.

 WARNING: Submitting any questions, assignments, notes, slides, or other instructor-produced course materials into Generative AI without permission is a violation of the facultymember’s exclusive rights and will be reported to the Dean of Students as academicmisconduct.

*Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s work, including the work of other students, as one’s own. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged, unless the information is common knowledge. https://studentcode.iu.edu/responsibilities/academic-misconduct.html. (emphasis added)

Academic Honesty 

Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person’s work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented. When you borrow the words or ideas of another person, you must give attribution. This responsibility to give attribution includes instances in which you are paraphrasing what someone else has said. Otherwise, you are “stealing” another person’s intellectual property and offering it as your own.

Presenting other’s work as your own on a written assignment or cheating on an exam will result in 0 for that assignment. A second infraction will result in failing grade for the course. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the professor.

Course Materials—Instructor’s Exclusive Rights.

The faculty member teaching this course holds the exclusive right to distribute, modify, post, and reproduce course materials, including all written materials, study guides, lectures, assignments, exercises, and exams. While you are permitted to take notes on the online materials and lectures posted for this course for your personal use, you are not permitted to re-post in another forum, upload to AI, distribute, reproduce content from this course, or sell the instructor’s course materials (including notes and study guides) without the express written permission of the faculty member. Violations of this policy will be reported to the Dean of Students as academic misconduct (violation of course rules). Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the assignment for which the notes/study guides are being sold, a reduction in your final course grade, or a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities. Additionally, you should know that selling a faculty member’s course using IU email, or via Canvas may also constitute a violation of IU information technology and IU intellectual property policies; additional consequences may result.

Attendance

Students are expected to “attend” the course weekly to participate in the online discussions.

Late assignments 

I will deduct 10% from the assignment grade for each day that the assignment is late. Emergency situations will be considered, but please prepare early for written assignments in case something does come up at the last minute.

Incompletes

In general I do not grant incompletes, but I will do so when three conditions are met: 1) that the student has a verifiable emergency situation that makes it impossible to complete the coursework on time, 2) that the student sign an agreement with the instructor prior to the final examination period about the requirements to be met for completing the class, and 3) that all required work be completed within a short period of time not to exceed a month. Otherwise, I will turn in a grade reflecting the work completed, including a zero for any incomplete assignments.

Late Withdrawal

Please use the following link for deadlines to withdraw from course: https://calendars.registrar.indiana.edu/official-calendar/

After the auto-W deadline, withdrawal will be significantly limited. You will need permission to withdraw and must meet requirements established by O’Neill.

 

 CAMPUS RESOURCES

Accessible Educational Services (formerly Disability Services for Students)

Securing accommodations for a student with disabilities is a responsibility shared by the student, the instructor, and the AES Office. For information about support services or accommodations available to students with disabilities, and for the procedures to be followed by students and instructors: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/student-support/iub-aes/index.html

Counseling and Psychological Services

For information about services offered to students by CAPS:

http://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/index.shtml

TimelyCare

Indiana students have free, 24/7 access to virtual mental health care services with TimelyCare. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. https://www.iu.edu/mental-health/find-resources/timely-care.html#0

Religious Accommodation Requests

The "Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances" form must be submitted by the student to the professor no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated absence. A separate form must be submitted for each absence and for each course. Faculty do not have to consider accommodations for the purpose of allowing students to travel away from Bloomington for religious observance. Information about the policy is found here: https://vpfaa.indiana.edu/resources/religious-observances-information.html.

 Sexual Harassment

As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. Title IX and our own Sexual Misconduct policy prohibit sexual misconduct. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help.

If you are seeking help and would like to talk to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with:

1. The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) at 812-855-8900
2. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711
3. Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at 812-856-2469
4. IU Health Center at 812-855-4011

For more information about available resources: http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html.

It is also important to know that federal regulations and University policy require me to promptly convey any information about potential sexual misconduct known to me to our campus’ Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator. In that event, they will work with a small number of others on campus to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available to the student who may have been harmed. Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist. I encourage you to visit: http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html to learn more.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Leading a case discussion – 10% 

Participation - 10% 

Historical Policy Memo - 20%. 

Issue definition memo – 20%. 

Legislative or Regulatory History – 20%. 

Final Project (White Paper)—20%. 

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Introduction to the Policy Process, Governmental Institutions, and the Policy Environment 

 Week -Introductions and Course Introduction 

Intro to Public Policy 

 Week 2-Institutions, Actors, and the Stages of the Policy Process

 Week 3-Social Construction and Policy Narratives

Historical Policy Memo Due May 31, 11:59pm

Module 2: Theories of the Policy Process

Week 4-Policy Change 1

Week 5-Policy Change 2

Week 6-Advocacy Coalition Framework

Issue Definition/Policy Memo Due June 21, 11:59pm Eastern

Week 7-Implementation

Module 3: Influencing Public Policy

Week 8-The States and Public Policy Making

     Policy Diffusion: The States as Policy Labs

Week 9-Interest Groups

Legislative or Regulatory History Due July 12, 11:59pm Eastern

Week 10-The role of Public Opinion in Public Policy

Week 11-Politics and Evidence-Based Policymaking

Week 12-Project Discussions

Final Project Executive Summary must be posted to the Discussion Board

by 11:59pm July 26.

Final Project-White Papers Due July 31 11:59pm

 

 

FIND YOUR HOME AND COMMUNITY AT IU

Asian Culture Center

Address: 807 East Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47408

Phone: 812-856-5361

Email: acc@indiana.edu  

Website: https://asianresource.indiana.edu/index.html (Links to an external site.)

First Nations Educational & Cultural Center

Address: 712 E 8th St., Bloomington, IN 47408

Phone: 812-855-4814

Email: fnecc@indiana.edu

Website: https://firstnations.indiana.edu/contact/index.html (Links to an external site.)

LGBTQ+ Culture Center

Address: 705 E 7th St., Bloomington, Indiana 47408

Phone: 812-855-4252

Email: glbtserv@indiana.edu  

Website: https://lgbtq.indiana.edu/contact/index.html (Links to an external site.)

La Casa Latino Culture Center

Address: 715 E 7th St., Bloomington IN, 47408

Phone: 812-855-0174

Email: lacasa@indiana.edu  

Website: https://lacasa.indiana.edu/ (Links to an external site.)

Neal Marshall Black Culture Center 

Address: 275 N Jordan Ave Bloomington, Indiana 47405

Phone: 812-855-9271

Email: nmgrad@indiana.edu  

Website: https://blackculture.indiana.edu/index.htm (Links to an external site.)

[1] These expectations are excerpted from the O’Neill School Honor Code which can be found at:

https://oneill.indiana.edu/doc/undergraduate/ugrd_student_honorcode.pdf 

 

The professor reserves the right to make adjustments to the course as necessary.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO CHECK THE CANVAS SITE FOR CHANGES