20809242Public Policy
Course Information
Description
Public Policy examines the purpose, history, and development of public policy in the United States. Students (a) summarize public policy significance and history, (b) analyze public policy institutions and processes, and (c) evaluate public policies using cost-benefit analysis methods. Students will complete exams and written assignments.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Summarize American Public Policy and Politics
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize and define basic public policy ideas, concepts, and phrases.
    Analyze justifications and applications of public policy.
    Evaluate utility of public policy within various environments and contexts.

  2. Summarize Government Institutions and Policy Actors
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize formal political institutions, to include (a) U.S. Constitution, (b) separation of power sytem, and (c) federalism.
    Analyze public policy within a separation-of-power system with checks and balances.
    Evaluate influence of formal and informal public policy actors within various settings.

  3. Summarize Public Policy Theories and Models
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize various public policy theories, to include (a) stages heuristic theory, (b) multiple streams theory, and (c) puntuated equilibrium theory.
    Analyze relevamt public policymaking models, to include (a) institutional process model, (b) agenda-setting model, and (c) system stability model.
    Evaluate appropriate application of various public policy theories and models in relation to a public sector issue.

  4. Analyze Public Policymaking Process
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize stages heuristic theory and model.
    Analyze various stages of the public policymaking process.
    Evaluate compatibility between public policymaking process and democratic governance.

  5. Analyze General Public Policy Areas
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize broad public-sector policy issue areas (i.e., political, economic, cultural).
    Analyze relevant data and information pertaining to an identified public-sector problem requiring government intervention.
    Evaluate utility of data and information to develop effective / efficient public policy solution.

  6. Analyze Specific Public Policy Issues
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize two dominate public policy categories in American politics: domestic policy and foreign policy.
    Analyze various domestic public policy areas, to includ but not limited to the following: (a) economic policy, (b) criminal justice policy, (c) education policy, (d) immigration policy, (e) healthcare policy, (f) environmental policy.
    Evaluation government efforts to effectively and efficiency address current policy specific public probems.

  7. Evaluate Policy Analysis Process
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize and define public policy analysis.
    Analyze public policy analysis methods (scientific) (professional) (political).
    Evaluate utility of various public policy analysis methods within various environments.

  8. Evaluate Policy Evaluation Process
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Essay
    Criteria
    Summarize and define public policy evaluation.
    Analyze public policy evaluation methods, to include (a) content, (b) implementation, and (c) impact.
    Evaluate utility of various public policy evaluation methods within various environments.

  9. Create Public Policy Analysis Report
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Report
    Criteria
    State (1) Problem Identification (political) (economic) (cultural) and Policy Goal (values) (outcome).
    Identify (2) Policy Alternatives (action) (do nothing).
    Select (3) Evaluation Criterion (effectiveness) (efficiency).
    Conduct (4) Alternative Assessment (cost-benefit analysis).
    Determine (5) Recommendation (data, evidence, and context-driven decision).

  10. Create Public Policy Analysis Presentation
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Presentation
    Criteria
    Create Policy Analysis Content
    Identify Policy Analysis Audience
    Organization Policy Analysis Information
    Deliver Policy Analysis Presentation
    Collect Policy Analysis Presentation Feedback