Course Syllabus

 Course Description

Interdisciplinary course designed to give students exposure to the realities of the policy process through detailed analyses of case studies and projects. Course integrates science, technology, policy, and management. Topic may change from semester to semester.  Interdisciplinary course organized as faculty-coached class project on a management/policy topic determined by an external client. Course goals are professional preparation and integration of degree program knowledge.

Course Perspectives 2026:

This course addresses the Data Center Decision-making process in Northwest Indiana: Merrillville. Students will research and review the ongoing decision-making process utilizing resources from other municipalities across the state and nation. Design a strategic plan for municipalities such as Merrillville, Indiana, to objectively and critically evaluate data and public issues in the decision-making process.

This course is Part II of the Capstone project with parameters defined in Part 1 by the V601 students. 

These topics will be addressed from the perspective of the SPEA MPA mission, SPEA MPA program goals, SPEA MPA program values and NASPAA competencies.

This course is intended to address a current public service or management topic by integrating analyses in an interdisciplinary framework. This course will be centered around a group project that will require students with different backgrounds and skill sets to work together to generate a research product for a client in a collaborative manner. The majority of the work will be performed by individuals within a group setting and will take place outside of regular class sessions. Thus, students will work in a coordinated manner to complete the project.  All students are expected to fully engage in all aspects of this process. Even though this is a group effort, for it to be successful, everyone will need to contribute in order for the course project to be successful.

 Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Integrate concepts learned in classes with real world decisions made by policy makers to show an understanding of how to manage in public governance;
2. Create written analyses and presentations that integrate and display a high level of understanding of: law and policy, statistical methods; public management, public finance and budgeting and public economics to articulate and apply a public service perspective
3. Evaluate laws, contracts and the role of government during times of crises that require quick yet ethical decision making to show an ability to think critically about public leadership and decision making;
4. Propose a way to study a real public policy problem using statistical methods and data analysis to show your ability to analyze information and solve problems;
5. Display an ability to integrate a theory in one field to a policy problem in another field to show your ability to synthesize across fields;
6. Develop a public policy for a certain segment of society based upon the values of social equity, understanding diversity and the influence of law in order to show an ability to communicate and interact with a diverse and changing citizenry.
7. Integrate the 4 core SPEA MPA values into assignment. 

 Course Requirements 

Required Text and Materials

• There is not a required textbook for this course, and all materials will be provided as needed, via electronic links (see below) and Academic Search Premier and/or ProQuest

Technical Requirements

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

• Computer or tablet; 
• Reliable internet connection;
• Microphone;
• Some way to make and post a simple video (e.g., using a webcam, or a smartphone);
• Access to Canvas using a supported web browser.

 Technical Support

For additional help with technical issues, consult:

• University Information Technology Services (UITS) (human support)
• IU Knowledge Base (IUKB) (guides)
• IUware (download free software)

 Course Assessment & Grades

Course Assessment:

*See Canvas for Reading List

All due date times are 11:59pm CST unless otherwise stated.

*See Canvas for Reading List

All due date times are 11:59pm CST unless otherwise stated.

Submitting Assignments

All Assignments will be submitted via Canvas in the appropriate assignment box.

How Will I Know How I’m Doing in This Course?

Grades will be posted in Canvas within 48 hours of the "Accept Until" submission date. Since Canvas keeps track of all of your grades, you should always be able to calculate your current grade in the course. If you need assistance, please contact me.

Late Work

There will be a 20% penalty for any late work.