Course Syllabus

Indiana University Kokomo

School of Business

Syllabus: PAHM V562_8W1 Fall 2026_Hyunkang Hur.docx

PAHM-V562: Public Program Evaluation

 Fall 2026-8W1 (Aug 24, 2026-Oct 16, 2026)

(Section # 17331)

 

Instructor: Hyunkang Hur, Associate Professor                                                 Email: hyunhur@iu.edu

Office: KO 174G                                                                                                    Class Time: Online

Office Hours: By Appointment                                                                             Class Location: Online

 

Course Description and Objectives

This master’s level course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of applied policy analysis methods for public program evaluation.  This course is intended to prepare students to be fluent in the basic application of program evaluation tools, and to be informed consumers of program evaluation research.  

 

Broadly, policy analysis can be grouped into two categories: ex ante analysis, used to analyze policy problems generally and provide recommendations prior to implementation, and ex post analysis, used to evaluate the effectiveness of policies after implementation.  This course focuses on ex post analysis and complements topics covered in other courses on ex ante analysis, such as forecasting, return on investment/net present value analysis, cost-benefit analysis, decision analysis, risk assessment, impact assessment, and political feasibility analysis.

 

This course provides a basic background in approaches to program evaluation, and discusses data collection methods for program evaluation.  The bulk of the course will focus on a variety of empirical approaches to program evaluation.  Students will receive training in a variety of experimental and quasi-experimental research methods used by researchers and policy analysts to assess whether public and nonprofit programs are having the intended effects.

 

In program evaluation, the presentation of the analysis can be as important as the analysis itself.  In order for a policy analysis to have an impact, it must be articulated and presented clearly and reflect due regard for its intended audience.  In many ways, the medium is the message in policy analysis, so this course is in some ways a “boot camp” in policy writing and presentation.  We will discuss the appropriate structure, tone, style, and presentation of policy analyses for a variety of audiences (e.g., nonprofits, academic institutions, foundations, government agencies) and formats (e.g., client presentations, nonpartisan memos, academic journal articles, editorial articles).  Throughout the course, we will continually examine how to appropriately frame and build persuasive policy recommendations using the analytical tools we discuss.

 

Prerequisites

There are no formal course prerequisites for this seminar.  That said, this course is most appropriate for second year MPM students and is designed with the assumption that students have a basic background in descriptive and inferential statistics and research methods more generally.  I will also assume that you have the capacity to read and interpret basic descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as the ability to produce such statistics in a standard computer program (e.g., MS Excel, SPSS). In other words, I will assume you’ve mastered concepts covered in V506.

 

Textbook

James C. McDavid, Irene Huse & Laura R. Hawthorn. (2018). Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement: An Introduction to Practice, 3^rd Edition, Sage. ISBN-13: 978-1506337067

 

Class Structure

This independent study course content will be delivered completely online through Canvas during the 2026 8W1 Fall semester. The course requires students to be diligent in completing weekly reading assignment and weekly chapter summary.

Students are expected to access Canvas at least twice a week to read e-mails, and upload assignments, and complete individual assignments. Students will need to plan for this online class accordingly. 

 

Course Grading

Course grades will be determined by the following weighting. Each course element will be weighted out of a total of 100 points.

 

• Textbook Chapter Summary (from Week 2 to Week 7)
• Textbook Chapter Summary#1-Chapter 1 & 2 (15 pts)_Week 2
• Textbook Chapter Summary#2-Chapter 3 (12.5 pts)_Week 3
• Textbook Chapter Summary#3-Chapter 4 (12.5 pts)_Week 4
• Textbook Chapter Summary#4-Chapter 5 & 6 (15 pts)_Week 5
• Textbook Chapter Summary#5-Chapter 7 & 8 (12.5 pts)_Week 6
• Textbook Chapter Summary#6-Chapter 9 & 10 (12.5 pts)_Week 7
• Evaluation Critique Assignment (Week 8)
• Evaluation Critique Assignment---------------------(20 pts)_ Week 8

                          Total :                                                                 100 pts

 

Grading Scale

No curves in grading are anticipated. Letter grades will be assigned according to the following point totals:

A = 95% (95)-100%(100); A- = 90%(90)-94%(94)

B+ = 89%(89)-87%(87); B = 86%(86)-84%(84); B- = 83%(83)-80%(80)

C+ = 79%(79)-77%(77); C = 76%(76)-74%(74); C- = 73%(73)-70%(70)

F = 69%(69) and below

I = Incomplete

 

Requirement for completing PAHM V562

• Weekly Textbook Chapter Summary

Each student will keep a textbook chapter summary of his/her weekly reading assignment routine from week 2 to week 7 during 8W1 Fall 2026 Semester.

 

• Format of Textbook Chapter Summary

1. Given a text chapter, a student will summarize the important points of each chapter.
2. Chapter summaries should be bullet points with a paragraph form.
3. Textbook chapter summary assignment should be approximately 4 pages in length (single spaced).

Textbook Chapter Summary Assignment Submission Schedule

• Textbook Chapter Summary #1_Chapter 1 & 2 Due: Sep6, 2026 (Sunday, 11:59 pm) via Canvas
• Textbook Chapter Summary #2_Chapter 3 Due: Sep 13, 2026 (Sunday, 11:59 pm) via Canvas
• Textbook Chapter Summary #3_Chapter 4 Due: Sep 20, 2026 (Sunday, 11:59 pm) via Canvas
• Textbook Chapter Summary #4_Chapter 5 & 6 Due: Sep 27, 2026 (Sunday, 11:59 pm) via Canvas
• Textbook Chapter Summary #5_Chapter 7 & 8 Due: Oct 4, 2026 (Sunday, 11:59 pm) via Canvas
• Textbook Chapter Summary #6_Chapter 9 & 10 Due: Oct 11, 2026 (Sunday, 11:59 pm) via Canvas

 

• Evaluation Critique Assignment

*Due via canvas on Thursday, Oct 15th, 2026 at 11:59pm

**Document naming convention: LastName_FirstName_ECA.doc

 

1. Selection of an Evaluation to Critique

The evaluation you select to critique must have the following characteristics:

1. Publicly available;
2. Program specific (i.e., an assessment of a specific program or law in the public and/or nonprofit sectors); and,
3. Impact oriented (i.e., designed to measure the impact of a specific intervention).

You are encouraged to select an evaluation based on your substantive interest in a particular public policy area. Domestic or international topics are welcome. The Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15206688) has a number of program evaluations that are acceptable for this assignment. However, if you are having trouble finding a suitable evaluation paper, you can also use instructor uploaded evaluative articles on IU Canvas Files folder (IU Canvas_Files (Files) Folder- -Evaluation Critique Assignment Folder-Evaluation Critique Assignment Related Journal Articles Folder).

 

1. Format of the Critique

• No more than 3 single-spaced typed pages;
• Avoid spending too much time and space on a description of the program/intervention being studied. A paragraph or two should be sufficient.
• The paper should be written in Times New Roman Font, single-spaced in-text and double-spaced between paragraphs, with 1-inch margins. Citations should follow APA format (see Guides to APA formatting and style can be found online at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ and at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html).  Section headings should be clearly delineated using a consistent format (e.g., boldface type) to guide the reader.

 

Key Elements to Address in the Critique

1. What was the primary research question(s)?
2. What is the research design?
3. What data were gathered?
4. Were the measures used reliable and valid?
5. What statistical approaches were used by the authors?
6. Were the methods well-suited to the question asked and data available?
7. What threats to the internal validity were discussed by the authors and how did the authors handle these threats?
8. Did you feel that there were other threats to the internal validity of the study that the authors failed to take into consideration?
9. What were the authors’ conclusions?
10. How would you assess the external validity of the article?

 

Potential Sources for Locating Evaluations

Research Firms

Manpower Demonstration

Research Corporation (MDRC)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI)

Urban Institute

Mathematica

RAND

 

Public/Private Ventures (P/PV)

Aguirre International

WESTAT

Macro International

ICF Consulting

 

Journals

Journal of Policy Analysis and Management

Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory

Public Administration Review

American Review of Public Administration

American Economic Review

American Journal of Sociology

American Sociological Review

Social Forces

American Political Science Review

Urban Affairs Review

Journal of Urban Affairs

Urban Studies

Economic Development Quarterly

Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Quarterly

 

Government Agencies

General Accounting Office

Congressional Research Service

Congressional Budget Office

Offices of Inspector General

 

Federal research offices within executive branch agencies:

PD&R – Department of Housing & Urban Development

ACF – Department of Health & Human Services

RPD – Corporation for National & Community Service 

 

Assignment Policy

All written assignments must be submitted in Microsoft Word, using Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins.  As is the norm in many policy briefs, documents should be single-spaced. All sources must be cited using APA format.  Guides to APA formatting and style can be found online at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ and at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Style.html

 

Failure to adhere to these style and formatting guidelines for assignments may result in a point deduction equivalent to half a letter grade.

 

Late assignments will not be accepted, except in the case of a documented emergency.  Late assignments disrupt my ability to grade quickly and return graded assignments to students. 

 

If you miss an assignment or test due to illness, you must provide a note from a doctor written on letterhead with the doctor’s name, signature and telephone number.  The doctor must be local unless you are out of state, in which case a doctor in your location is acceptable. 

A doctor’s note fitting the above criteria is the only way to make up a missed assignment due to illness.  

If you miss an assignment or test due to a family emergency, you must notify me via email before the assignment due date/test date.  In addition, you must provide a written explanation of the nature of the emergency, the dates on which you were away from school, where you stayed during those dates, the telephone number of the person with whom you stayed, and the name and telephone number of the officiating party (funeral director, minister, rabbi, etc.) in the case of a death, the name of the treating doctor in the case of a family member’s serious illness).  I understand that providing this information may be a burden on you at a particularly difficult and sensitive time.  Unfortunately, we have found that assignment deadlines and particularly tests have led to unexplained epidemics of illnesses and family deaths.

 

Disability Services

Students who have a documented disability or other needs that may require consideration during this course are responsible for contacting the Disability Services Office at 765.455.9301, Kelley Center Room 200 or via e-mail at disserv@iuk.edu. The office of Disability Services will make an assessment and then provide written notification for the faculty.

 

Please contact the Office of Disability Services within the first week of the semester or as soon as the need is identified since faculty cannot make arrangements for special consideration until written notification is provided. Documentation requirements and student responsibilities can be found on the Disability Services websites at: http://www.iuk.edu/ada

 

Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 202 (https://ufc.iu.edu/policies/sea-202-questions.html)

In this course, we may/will explore a variety of viewpoints relating to cultural and intellectual diversity when it is appropriate to the curriculum. In doing so, you will be exposed to multiple viewpoints, and you may be required to display understanding of them. However, you are free to make your own choices as to your beliefs.

 

Pregnancy: Title IX Statement

IU is dedicated to supporting students who are pregnant or have experienced other conditions related to pregnancy (termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, lactation, or related medical conditions). To register for accommodations due to pregnancy or a related medical condition, please contact the IU Kokomo Accessible Educational Services (AES) office by Email:  accessibility@iuk.edu, or phone 765-455-9301.

 

To learn about the rights and resources available to students, such as academic accommodations, please visit pregnancy.iu.edu or email oie@iu.edu for more information.

 

Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct

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 speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with Beth Barnett, Room KC234, Kelley Student Center, 765-455-9553.  More information about available resources can be found here:  http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html

 

It is also important that you 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 stopsexualviolence.iu.edu to learn more.

 

 

(Tentative) Weekly Schedule

Disclaimer: This syllabus outlines a general plan for the course and is subject to change with sufficient notice. There may be errors that need to be corrected at some point, and deviations in this plan may occur for any number of reasons.

WK	Date	Topic	Related Readings	Assignments
1	8/24-8/30	§  Introduction to the course and Canvas	§  Read the course syllabus, Canvas tutorial
2	8/31-9/6	§  Key Concepts and Issues in Program Evaluation and Performance Management (Ch.1) §  Understanding and Applying Program Logic Models (Ch.2)	§  McDavid et al. Ch.1 & 2 Lecture Note: Week 2_Lecture Note 1_Ch.1 & Ch.2.pptx	Textbook Chapter Summary #1 (McDavid et al. Ch.1 &2) Submission Due by Sep 6 (Sunday), 11:59 pm via Canvas
3	9/7-9/13	§  Research Designs for Program Evaluations (Ch.3)	§  McDavid et al. Ch.3 Lecture Note: Week 3_Lecture Note 2_Ch.3.pptx	Textbook Chapter Summary #2 (McDavid et al. Ch.3) Submission Due by Sep 13 (Sunday), 11:59 pm via Canvas
4	9/14-9/20	§  Measurement for Program Evaluation and Performance Monitoring (Ch.4)	§  McDavid et al. Ch.4 Lecture Note: Week 4_Lecture Note 3_Ch.4.pptx	Textbook Chapter Summary #3 (McDavid et al. Ch.4) Submission Due by Sep 20 (Sunday), 11:59 pm via Canvas
5	9/21-9/27	§  Applying Quantitative Evaluation Methods (Ch.5) §  Needs Assessments for Program Development and Adjustment (Ch.6)	§  McDavid et al. Ch.5 & 6 Lecture Note: Week 5_Lecture Note_Ch.5. & Ch.6.pptx	Textbook Chapter Summary #4 (McDavid et al. Ch.5 & 6) Submission Due by Sep 27 (Sunday), 11:59 pm via Canvas
6	9/28-10/4	§  Concepts and Issues in Economic Evaluation (Ch.7) §  Performance Measurement as an Approach to Evaluation (Ch.8)	§  McDavid et al. Ch.7 & 8   Lecture Note: Week 6_Lecture Note 4_Ch.7 & Ch.8.pptx	Textbook Chapter Summary #5 (McDavid et al. Ch. 7& 8) Submission Due by Oct 4 (Sunday), 11:59 pm via Canvas
7	10/5-10/11	§  Design and Implementation of Performance Management Systems (Ch.9) §  Using Performance Management for Accountability and Performance Improvement (Ch.10)	§  McDavid et al. Ch.9 &10 Lecture Note: Week 7_Lecture Note 5_Ch.9 & Ch.10.pptx	Textbook Chapter Summary #6 (McDavid et al. Ch.9 & 10) Submission Due by Oct 11 (Sunday), 11:59 pm via Canvas
8	10/12-10/16	Evaluation Critique Assignment Due by Oct 15 (Thursday) (11:59 pm via Canvas) The BLUE Course/Instructor Evaluation Due by Oct 16 (Friday) (11:59pm)		Evaluation Critique Assignment Due by Oct 15 (Thursday) (11:59 pm via Canvas) The BLUE Course/Instructor Evaluation Due by Oct 16 (Friday) (11:59pm)