Case Analysis Assignment |
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Directions |
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| One of the ways we will examine and apply the concepts discussed in the readings is by analyzing six cases contained in Part II of Patton and Sawicki’s Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning: | ||||||||||
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Since case analysis is essentially self-learning through simulated experience, its success depends on the lively exchange of information, ideas, and opinions during case discussions. Students must come prepared to discuss all aspects of the case, apply the concepts in the readings to the case, and be able to answer the questions at the end of each case study or those posed on the class web site or it will adversely affect your class participation grade. |
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Memo Assignment |
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| At the beginning of the semester, you will be be given an opportunity to select one of the cases listed above from Part II of Patton and Sawicki’s Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. You must prepare a memorandum that summarizes your analysis of the case study. You should ignore the directions contained in the chapters, although they often provide some helpful guidance. Instead, your analysis should describe the problem, identify the alternatives and evaluative criteria, compare each alternative using data from the case study, and include a recommended course of action. This analysis should form the basis of your presentation described below. Any necessary supplemental information should be included as attachments. Any memo format can be used provided that it is professional in format. Most word processing programs have templates that can be used. You can download a sample memo for my PLS 308 class by clicking here. Additional instructions and guidance for preparing case memos is included on that web site. | ||||||||||
Presentation |
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| Each student will present their analysis of the case to the class. Your presentation should be professional and be designed as if you were briefing the decisionmakers who commissioned the analysis. Thus, your presentation should discuss the policy problem, your evaluative criteria, identify alternatives, compare them, and provide your recommendations. You will have only 10 minutes to present your analysis (I will cut you off). Accordingly, your presentation should be brief, well organized, and professional. You should rehearse the presentation to ensure that you complete it in the time allowed. You should also use appropriate audiovisual aids. | ||||||||||
| Grading | ||||||||||
| Your memos and presentations will be due the last full week of class. Your case memos and presentations will receive one grade. You will be evaluated based on your analysis of the case, the organization of your ideas (in written and oral form), your ability to ability to be persuasive with your analysis (in written and oral form), your use of the data contained in the case to support your conclusions, and the quality of your writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.). |
