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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
several of the cases contained
in Part II (Chapters 10 – 16) of Patton and Sawicki’s Basic Methods
of Policy Analysis and Planning: |
 | Chapter 12: Solid-Waste Collection Methods |
| Chapter 13: Campus Parking Policies |
| Chapter 14: Emergency Aid for Home Fuel: Developing
an Allocation Formula |
| Chapter 15: A Tax on Diapers |
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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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| 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.
An individual grade may be adjusted lower if the team
reports that one of its members did not contribute to the group memos.
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Memo
Assignment
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| 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
case. You should ignore the directions
at the beginning of each chapter in Patton and Sawicki. Instead, your
memos should describe the problem,
summarize the alternatives,
define your evaluative criteria, systematically compare
the alternatives using the evaluative criteria and data
provided in the case, and provide a
recommended course of
action supported by your analysis.
Your memos should be formatted professionally and
be well written because each group member can help edit the text. They
are limited to no longer than 3 single-spaced
pages with 1 inch margins and 12 point
font.
This doesn't include any
attachments or figures (e.g., a table comparing the alternatives,
documentation for your calculations, etc.).
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Presentations
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| Each
team will present 2 cases
to the class.
Your presentation should be in the form of a briefing for decision makers
and be professional in nature. It is limited to 10 minutes.
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 (no
more than 5 - 10 slides).
Since everyone will have read the case, your presentations
should focus on your analysis should focus on the alternatives, evaluative
criteria, systematic comparison of the alternatives, and the presentation of
a recommendation grounded in the data from the analysis. You may wish
to provide a handout as you would if making a presentation to decision
makers.
See
this interesting article for some
advice on making good
presentations. |
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