Monday (Section 001): 4:00 - 9:00 (LH 254A)

(7/18) - The take home final exam is now posted (Download by clicking here).  You will need to use table 1-1 from the figures on rationales for government intervention to answer question 1, lecture notes on rationales (question 1 and 2) the handout on alternatives to answer question 3, and you will need to access recommendations from the co-Chair’s proposal to President Obama’s deficit commission and in particular the co-chair's proposal and the illustrative outline to answer question 4.  The other handouts needed are attached to the exam.  Be sure to sign and attach the honor pledge.  Your final exam is due by 5:00 PM on July 30th and must be submitted as a single computer file (MS Word or PDF) if sent by email. 

(7/15) - You will not have to present your final policy analysis projects as scheduled on 7/22.  Instead, I want to provide you with additional time to work on the final policy analysis projects.  Accordingly, we will not have class as previously scheduled on 7/22.  Instead, I will be available by appointment between 3:00 and 7:00 PM on 7/24 if you want me to review your draft paper and provide some quick feedback and suggestions for improvement.  Your final paper is due on 7/29 at 4:00 PM in my mailbox. 

(7/15) - The final exam will be posted electronically at the end of this week or early next week.  It will be due electronically or in my mailbox by 5:00 PM on 7/30. 

(7/15) - A draft outline of a typical policy analysis report can be found by clicking here.  

(7/1) - Next class (7/15) we will finish discussing the readings on identifying alternatives and evaluative criteria and discuss the readings on evaluating alternatives and benefit-cost analysis.  We will also have the case memo presentations for Case 12: Municipal Garbage: Solid Waste Collection Methods.  

(7/1) - Tonight's class will focus on discussing the readings on identifying alternatives and evaluative criteria.  We will also have the case memo presentations for Case 14: Emergency Aid for Home Fuel: Developing an Allocation Formula.  

(6/3) - Our next class is on 6/17.  We will discuss the readings on rationales for government intervention.  To prepare for our discussions, see if you can answer the questions in this exercise (Download exercise by clicking here).  You don't need to hand anything in and you will have time in class to work in groups to answer the questions.  We will also have the case memo presentations for Case 11: Defending Against Accusations of Discriminatory Housing Practices.    

(5/30) - During class next week (6/3) we will focus on the readings on collecting, interpreting, and evaluating data on policy problems (reminder we start at 4:00 PM).  We will begin with the case memo presentations for Case 15: A State Tax on Shopping Bags.  At 5:30 PM we will break because one of our candidates to replace Dr. Paarlberg will be doing a teaching presentation in our class and other faculty and MPA students will be joining us.  Once that concludes, we will discuss the book SuperFreakonomics.  Be sure to come prepared to discuss the 3 graphs/figures that you think are good examples for visually displaying data.  You should also be prepared to discuss at least one thing you learned from the book and at least one conclusion/argument they advance that you disagree with.

(5/30) - Case Memo Presentation Assignments:  The following will present the cases on 6/3 and 7/1: Brittany Bottoms, Becca Shipe, and Emma Mounsey;  The following will present the cases on 6/17 and 7/15: L. Montrel Miller, Matt Zapp, and Jason Clamme.  Remember that everyone must do a memo for all four cases that responds to the question on the assignment page.  You must also include an attachment relating the readings covered in class so far to the case.  The presentations should be about 10 minutes in length. 

(5/15) - Welcome to PLS 505 - Policy Analysis!  Class begins on Monday May 20th at 4:00 PM in LH 254A.  I will periodically post reminders and announcements on this website so you should check this website frequently.  Reserve readings for each course topic can be accessed through Blackboard.  Additional materials related to each topic can be found on the corresponding topics page located on this website. 

(5/15) The syllabus for this summer class can be downloaded for printing by clicking here.  Be sure to bring your own copy of the syllabus to the first class.  Please disregard the syllabus and course schedule that can be found on this website (they correspond to the regular semester).  Instead, consult the summer syllabus which contains a different schedule of topics, readings, and assignments and a modified description of the course requirements than can be found on this website.  However, students should consult the course topics when doing the readings since they contain a variety of supplemental materials.  Students should also review the web pages for additional guidance in terms of conducting the case analysis.  Student should also consult the web page for the policy project since it contains guidance for completing that assignment. 

(5/15) - Since this class involves a lot of professional writing and presentations to develop your communication skills, I have added several sets of readings to help with these assignments.  You are expected to submit all documents in both a hard copy at the start of class.  They should be typed and be professional in appearance.  Be sure to follow an appropriate style guide.  This website also provides useful style guidelines (Click here).