SYLLABUS
Course Prefix/Number: PUP 5045
Course Title: Analytic Techniques for Public Policy Analysis Course Credit
Hours: 3.0
Instructor Name and Contact Information: Bill Tankersley, Ph.D.,
CPA (inactive), CGFM
Email: wtankers@uwf.edu
Telephone:
College of Professional Studies:
College of Arts and Sciences:
CELL:
850.474.2338
850.474.2340
850.449.2190
Office: Building 77, Suite 121, Room 121B and Building 50, Room 123
Prerequisites or Co-Requisites: NONE
Course Description: PUP 5045 provides students with a practical orientation
and a “hands-on” approach to public policy analysis. The role of the policy
analyst is explained in the context of the American public policy process and
its institutional framework. Recognizing the need for students to develop
specific work skills as they enter the public and not-for-profit sectors, attention
is particularly focused upon the actual techniques required to perform policy
analysis. Different policy areas are utilized to demonstrate the application of
these techniques and afford the student experiences performing policy
analysis.
Goals: Upon completion of the course, students will have developed a
conceptual framework and a set of practical analytical tools suitable for either
working as a policy analyst or working in one of the many roles found within
the broader policy process which affects the public or not-for-profit
agency. Students will be able to conceptualize policy issues and perform
analysis of policy alternatives by drawing from a large selection of analytical
techniques.
About this Course: This course is delivered completely online. You must
have consistent access to the Internet and a broadband connection is highly
recommended. Learning at a distance may be a very different environment
for many of you. You generally set your own schedules, participate in class
activities at your convenience, and work at your own pace. You may spend
some additional time online during the first few weeks while you become
acclimated to the online class format and you may feel overwhelmed. You
should also be prepared to spend a significant amount of time preparing class
assignments, completing lessons, activities, and participating in class
discussions. The Academic Training Center at UWF suggests that you may
want to incorporate these tips to help you get started:
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Set a schedule for yourself -- check the course web site early in the class week
to see what tasks you'll need to work on for the week.
Become very familiar with the site and how to use it. It is a tool to help you learn!
Team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and questions you
might have. Check the “Classlist” link for biography info and email addresses of
your classmates..
Utilize the discussion forum titled, “Clarification of class instructions,
assignments, and other questions for class mates.” This forum is provided for
student use and interaction.
Ask questions when you need answers. If you have problems, contact your
instructor ASAP!
Do not submit assigned work to the instructor's email address. Assignments
submitted to the instructor's email address will not be read.
Submit questions or comments of an administrative or private nature that relate
to the course to the instructor's email address and not the discussion forum since
these forums are available to everyone in the class.
Topics to be covered in the course include:
1. The Process of Policy Analysis
2. Policy Analysis in the Policy-Making Process
3. Structuring Policy Problems
4. Forecasting Expected Policy Outcomes
5. Benefit Cost Analysis
6. Cost Effectiveness Analysis
7. Linking Policy Analysis to Cost Analysis and Activity Based Costing
8. Fundamentals of Cost Analysis
9. Using Cost Analysis for Government/Not-for-Profit Decisions
10. Activity-based Costing and Information Systems
11. Recommending Preferred Policies
12. Monitoring Observed Policy Outcomes
13. Evaluating Policy Performance
14. Developing Policy Arguments
15. Communicating Policy Analysis
Student Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to:
1. Define and illustrate policy analysis, elements of integrated policy analysis, and alternative forms of
policy analysis.
2. Demonstrate the use of argumentation mapping analysis, scorecards, spreadsheets, influence
diagrams and decision trees.
4. Discuss the strengths and limitations of different methods of problem structuring.
5. Evaluate extrapolative, theoretical and judgmental forecasting methods and techniques.
6. Demonstrate and explain benefit-cost analysis, including net present value concepts.
7. Explain the uses of cost effectiveness analysis.
8. Differentiate with examples the following: life-cycle cost, marginal cost, opportunity cost, direct cost,
indirect cost, full cost, expense and expenditure, sunk cost, and fixed and variable costs.
9. Describe unit cost analysis and standard cost analysis.
10. Contrast comprehensive rational decision-making and disjointed incrementalism as decision-making
models.
11. Present a written case study using the tools of policy research and analysis, and illustrate and discuss
the logical linkage between policy analysis and cost analysis as they relate to the case under study.
12. Explain depreciation, inflation, the time value of money, and the basic methods for allocating costs as
they relate to public policy analysis.
Texts:
Required texts:
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem
Solving, (2009) 3rd Edition, Eugene Bardach, CQ Press, Washington D.C. ISBN: 978-087289-952-0
Cost Analysis and Activity-Based Costing for Government, (2004). R. Gregory
Michel, GFOA Budgeting Series Volume 6, Government Finance Officers
Association, Chicago, Il. Washington, D.C. ISBN 0-89125-268-1
William N. Dunn, Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction, Fourth
Edition, http://www.coursesmart.com/givecoursesmartatry?xmlid=9780136004592&__in
structor=1175414
This text by William N. Dunn is a required text for the course and the online version is
recommended. It can be purchased for about half the price of the hardback text at
the link above. If you prefer the print copy, you can also purchase it from the publisher.
Please go to the url listed above to learn more about this online text.
Required Additional Materials: Internet Access and E-Mail account
Grading / Evaluation: The course grade will be determined as follows:
Grade Component
of Component
Research Paper
Session Assignments
Session Tests
Total
Weight
20%
50%
30%
100%
Special Technology Utilized by Students: This course is totally online. All
instructional content and interaction takes place over the WWW. In addition to
baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving email with attachments,
students will be expected to search the internet and upload / download
files. In addition, students may need one or more of the following plug-ins:
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Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
PowerPoint Viewer: Windows Media Player: http://office.microsoft.com/enus/downloads/CD102070641033.aspx
Quicktime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Real
Player: http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=windows/RealOnePlayer
V2GOLD.exe&p=RealOne+Player&oem=dl&tagtype=ie&type=dl
Macromedia Flash
Player: http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=Sh
ockwaveFlash
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:Academic
Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)Plagiarism
Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)Student
Handbook: http://www.thezonelive.com/zone/02_SchoolStructure/FL_Uni
versityofWestFlorida/handbook.pdf
ASSISTANCE: Students with special needs who require specific examinationrelated or other course-related accommodations should contact Barbara
Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services
(DSS), dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a
letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations