Course Syllabus

SPEA-V 512 Syllabus

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This page provides highlights from the course syllabus. The Course Summary below the syllabus lists your assignments and due dates.

Course description

This course provides an institutional approach to the policymaking process and policy theory. It will help you understand the ways in which governments learn of, interpret, and respond to public problems. Most importantly, it will expose you to a wide variety of ways in which scholars attempt, on the one hand, to understand the policy process and its outcomes and, on the other hand, to explain the behavior of policymakers. We will explore the various government institutions that are involved in policymaking. We will study policy process theories and analyze empirical research testing these theories. The course is mostly focused on policy theory within the context of American governmental institutions, and 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 and include readings focused on other contexts where appropriate.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should 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 policymaking.
4. Identify the importance of politics, culture, history, and perception in policymaking.
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
9. Develop the ability to understand and analyze current and/or historical events relevant to the public policy process through the lens of concepts from this course.

Course requirements

Required Text and Materials

There are no required texts. You will read numerous articles and papers that can be accessed online or are found on Canvas. Additionally, many theories and topics will be presented as podcasts and companion blog pieces. If you prefer having written materials, you may consider the below texts for additional background/information. Please note there are several versions of these, so if you decide to purchase a textbook, please contact me and we can discuss which chapters 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)

Technical requirements

You will need the following in order to participate in this course:

Desktop or laptop computer
Reliable Internet connection
Access to Canvas using a supported web browser

Technical support

For additional help with technical issues, consult:

University Information Technology Services (UITS) (phone and online support)
IU Knowledge Base (IUKB) (information and how-to articles on all supported UITS software and services)
Canvas Student Guide (information and step-by-step instructions for all of Canvas's tools and features)

Course assessment & grades

Course assessment:

Grades in the course will be determined by the following assignments:

Participation (10%): You are expected to complete the assigned readings and actively participate in all classroom discussions for this course. Your participation grade will depend upon the quantity and quality of your contributions to class discussions.

Issue Definition Memo (20%): This will be a 2 to 4-page memo that you will prepare individually on a topic of your choice. Ultimately, this type of memo is used to identify and define a public problem in order to get it on the public agenda. I will provide resources and references that provide information on how to complete this assignment.

Legislative or Regulatory History Memo (20%): This will be a 3 to 5-page report that you will prepare individuallyon the legislative action taken on an issue of your choice. Ultimately, this type of work is used to inform recommendations about policy decisions by providing the reader with information regarding the legislative process to date. I will provide resources and references that provide information on how to complete this assignment.

Final Project – Translational Research Paper Memo and Presentation (30%): You will work with a teammate on a paper and presentation. You will write one paper (25% of the final grade) that translates scholarly research into a deliverable targeted at policymakers. You will also present a final presentation of this project (5% of the final grade).

Reflection Essays (10%): At the end of selected weeks, you will write a 1-page reflection (approximately 350 to 400 words) on the content and topics presented in class and the case discussions. You may choose to tie these readings to personal experiences, the case, previous course topics, or something that you have learned in another class. The purpose of this assignment is to help students make connections from the readings and theory to the actual policy topics and issues. You will be assigned 10 reflection essays over the course of the semester – your lowest individual essay grade will be thrown out, keeping the remaining nine essays for a cumulative grade.

Leading a Case Discussion (10%): Working with a teammate, you will assist lead the discussion of 1 case during the semester. Sign up for the case discussion you wish to lead using the link provided in the introduction module. Cases will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You and your teammate will combine and provide approximately 5 prompts or questions to me by Wednesday at noon prior to that week’s Thursday class. In the class, you, your teammate, and I will facilitate the case discussion.

Submitting assignments

Please submit all assignments through Canvas by the due date/time. For the final project, only one person of each respective team needs to submit the paper and presentation.

How will I know how I’m doing in this course?

Grades will be posted in Canvas within 48 of the due date. The Canvas Grades tool shows the grades given to individual assignments as well as your calculated course grade based on the assignments that have been graded thus far. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me.

Grading Scale

Your assignment and course grades will be determined using the following scale:

**Grading Scale**
Grade	Range
A+	100% to 97%
A	< 97% to 93%
A-	< 93% to 90%
B+	< 90% to 87%
B	< 87% to 83%
B-	< 83% to 80%
C+	< 80% to 77%
C	< 77% to 73%
C-	< 73% to 70%
D+	< 70% to 67%
D	< 67% to 63%
D-	< 63% to 60%
F	< 60% to 0%

Late work

If you know you will need to turn in a major assignment late (e.g., Issue Definition Memo, Legislative or Regulatory History Memo, or Final Project), please communicate with me before the due date or as soon as possible and we can discuss a reasonable extension. You do not owe me details. This course moves very quickly, so pace yourself to finish by the due date. Late major assignments without explanation or missed reflection essays will be downgraded 20% per day until they are completed.