(11/18) - Next Monday (11/23) we will discuss the readings on evaluating alternatives (lecture notes & figures). 

(11/13) - Next Tuesday (11/17) we will discuss the readings on evaluating alternatives (lecture notes & figures).  Your group case memos and presentations for Case #15 are also due.   Just a reminder, there will be no class on Tuesday 11/24 so the other class can get caught up (see the revised Tuesday course schedule). 

(11/13) - Next Monday (11/16) we will finish our discussion of the readings on selecting evaluative criteria (lecture notes & figures).  Your group case memos and presentations for Case #15 are also due (see the revised Monday course schedule).  

(11/11) - Both classes: Since several groups asked about rewriting their memos here is what you can do.  You can rewrite your memos for case #13 on Georgia Tech's parking problem and hand it in at our next class along with the original.  I will then average the grades, although the grade will not be lowered if your revised memo happened to be worse.  Keep in mind that I will be expecting it to be substantially revised or completely rewritten.  Just correcting the editorial problems I identified will not result in a substantially improved grade. 

(11/11) - Both classes: Since you now have the benefit of some feedback, you can also revise your second memo and hand it in as well at our next class.  However, I will need to know by the weekend if you plan to revise the memo for case #14 so that I don’t waste time grading them this weekend.

(11/3) - Next Tuesday (11/10) we will finish our discussion of the readings on selecting evaluative criteria (lecture notes & figures).  Your group case memos and presentations for Case #14 are also due.  

(11/3) - Next Monday (11/9) we will finish discussing the  readings on finding alternatives (lecture notes & figures).  This handout summarizing common policy instruments/tools/generic policies should be helpful.  Your group case memos and presentations for Case #14 are also due.   We will then begin discussing the readings on evaluative criteria (lecture notes & figures). 

(10/27) - Next Tuesday (11/3) we will finish discussing the  readings on finding alternatives (lecture notes & figures).  This handout summarizing common policy instruments/tools/generic policies should also be helpful.  Your group case memos and presentations for Case #13 are also due.   We will then begin discussing the readings on evaluative criteria (lecture notes & figures). 

(10/27) - Next Monday (11/2) we will discuss the readings on finding alternatives (lecture notes & figures).  This handout summarizing common policy instruments/tools/generic policies should also be helpful.  Your group case memos and presentations for Case #13 are also due.  

(10/13) - Next Tuesday (10/20) we will finish discussing the readings on the rationales for government intervention (lecture notes & figures) and you should come prepared to discuss the exercise (Download).  We will then begin discussing the readings on finding alternatives (lecture notes & figures).  This handout summarizing common policy instruments/tools/generic policies should also be helpful.

(10/13) - Next Monday (10/19) we will discuss the rationales for government intervention (lecture notes & figures). 

(9/22) - Next Tuesday (9/29) we will continue discussing the readings on the public policy process. 

(9/22) - Next Monday (9/28) we will discuss the readings on the public policy process with special emphasis on agenda setting. 

(9/22) - Interesting handout on junk science and health care reform that should be of interest to students in both classes (download). 

(9/22) - Your problem memo assignments for your individual policy analysis projects are due the week of 9/28.  You should come to class prepared to briefly state the policy problem that your analysis will focus on. 

(9/15) - You need to start thinking about what you will do your individual policy analysis projects on.  Your problem memo assignments are due the week of 9/28.  You should come to class prepared to briefly state the policy problem that your analysis will focus on. 

(9/15) - Next Tuesday (9/22) we will discuss the readings on the public policy process with special emphasis on agenda setting. 

(9/15) - Next Monday (9/21) we will continue discussing the readings on collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data with an emphasis on why it is important to use data to support your analysis.  We will also discuss the second half of the exercise based on President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress. 

(9/8) - Next Tuesday (9/15) we will continue discussing the readings on collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data with a special emphasis on the readings on defining and framing problems.  We will also discuss the exercise based on President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress. 

(9/8) - Next Monday (9/14) we will begin discussing the readings on collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data with a special emphasis on the readings on defining and framing problems.  We will discuss the health policy exercise you handed in last class (8/31).  We will also discuss the exercise based on President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress. 

(9/8) - Both classes are required to watch President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday (9/9) and be prepared to answer the questions on the corresponding exercise individually or as a group (Download Exercise).  If you have class or a personal commitment, you should be able to download and watch the speech on C-SPAN's website.

(8/25) - Both the Monday (8/31) and the Tuesday (9/1) classes should read and be prepared to discuss the readings and handouts listed on the what is policy analysis topics page. 

(8/25) - Next Tuesday's class we will discuss the readings on what is policy analysis and then discuss the exercise distributed in class (download).  You should be prepared to circulate your answers to the questions in the exercise on 1 sheet of paper that is typed and will be collected at the end of class. 

(8/24) - Next week's Monday class (8/31) we will discuss the readings on what is policy analysis and then have a library tour in the second half of class.  You should also come prepared to discuss the exercise distributed in class (download) and type the answers to the questions on 1 sheet of paper so that it can be shared with your classmates and collected at the end of class.  If we don't get a chance to discuss it, we will discuss it in class on 9/14.

(8/24) - The case analysis teams and assignments for your group presentations are now posted for the Monday and Tuesday section of the class.

(8/10) - Welcome to PLS 505 - Policy Analysis.  I will periodically post reminders and announcements for the Monday and Tuesday sections of the class on this website so you should check the website frequently.  The syllabus for this class can be viewed on the website or can be downloaded for printing by clicking here.  You should view the course schedule for the Monday or Tuesday section of the class for the schedule of topics and dates that readings and assignments are due.  Please check the class web site and your email frequently as the course schedule may change. 

(8/10) - Since this class involves a lot of writing, I advise you read this recent article in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM) that has a number of useful writing tips (Download).   This website also provides useful style guidelines  (Click here).