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Memo Guidelines

Directions

One of the ways we will examine and apply the concepts discussed in the readings is by analyzing several of the cases contained in Part II (Chapters 10 – 16) of Patton and Sawicki’s Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning:
bulletChapter 12: Solid-Waste Collection Methods
bulletChapter 13: Campus Parking Policies
bulletChapter 14: Emergency Aid for Home Fuel: Developing an Allocation Formula
bulletChapter 15: A Tax on Diapers
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. 
Students enrolled in this class should understand that case analysis executed as a team is a key element of your course responsibility and you should be available outside of classroom time to meet with your group members.  Your individual grade on these assignments will be the group grade.  Groups are free to allocate responsibilities in any way you want; however, groups are not expected to carry free riders.  A peer evaluation form will be used when you complete your second group case memo and an individual grade may be adjusted lower if the team reports that one of its members did not contribute to the group memos. 
  

Memo Assignment

At the beginning of the semester, you will be assigned to a team.  Each team will be responsible for preparing a memorandum that analyzes each of the cases.  You should ignore the directions at the beginning of each chapter, although they often highlight important issues in the case.  Instead, your memos should describe the problem, summarize each alternative and evaluative criteria, systematically compare the alternatives, and include a recommended course of action that is supported by your analysisSince everyone will have read the case, your presentation should focus on your analysis of the alternatives and your recommendation.  Your memos are limited to 3 single-spaced pages with 1 inch margins and 12 point font.  This doesn't include any attachments such as a table comparing the alternatives or information related to your calculations.  Additional instructions and guidance for preparing case memos is included on the web site.  See this interesting article for soem advice on making good presentations
  

Presentations

Each team will present 2 cases to the class.  Your presentation should be professional and be designed as if you were briefing the decisionmakers who commissioned the analysis.  Your presentation is limited to 10 minutes to present your analysis.  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.
 

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