"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat.
"I don't much care where," said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat.
- Alice in Wonderland
About the relationship of resources to objectives,"...where one wishes to go
depends on whether one is able to get there."
- Aaron Wildavsky
"...power lies not in the ability to choose, but in the ability to set the options.
Everything else is a consequence."
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, BAKERSFIELD
Department of Public Policy and Administration
PPA 691: Seminar in Public Policy Analysis
Spring 2007
(Revised 3-28-07)
Thomas R. Martinez, Ph.D.
Phone: 654-3064
Office: BDC Rm #112 (PPA Departmental Office)
TMartinez@CSUB.edu
http://www.csub.edu/~tmartinez/
Preferably By Appointment: Most Convenient Advising Hours are T-Th. 9am-2pm, and, before
and after our class.
Course Description
This course represents an integrating capstone seminar focusing on the formulation,
implementation and evaluation of public policies. The course explores public policy analysis
theory, decision-making models and methodology. These will be explored within the context of
selected contemporary public policy areas such as health care, energy, the environment,
crime/criminal justice, poverty/welfare, water, education, immigration, taxation/budgeting, and
intergovernmental policy. The interplay between political, legal, economic and social institutions
and their impact on public policy patterns will be emphasized, particularly as they affect the
definition and analysis of public policy problems.
Relationship to Masters Paper (PPA 698)
PPA 691 should be completed before enrolling in PPA 698 since the discussion of public policy
analysis will deal heavily with issues and skills in analyzing public policy (and organizational)
problems. Understanding the nature of public problems and methods for problem analysis are
essential first steps necessary for generating the Masters Paper "proposal" and initial "statement
of the problem." PPA 691 is primarily useful in development of Chapter 1 (Intro. and Statement
of the Problem) as well as initial development of Chapter 2 & 3 of the Culminating Activity.
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Departmental Learning Goals & Objectives fore the Course:
The Department of Public Policy & Administration has developed a set of learning objectives for
courses in its graduate curriculum. By the time PPA 680 is completed, the student should be able
to:
THEME 1. COMMUNICATION.
Objective 1a. Oral Communication: Students will be able to present opinions, theories, and research
findings orally.
Objective 1b. Writing: Students will be able to produce focused, coherent, and grammatically correct
written communications applicable to government and nonprofit management.
Objective 1c. Teamwork: Students will be able to collaborate effectively in team processes.
THEME 2. THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
Objective 2b. Politics: Students will be able to explain how the political processes of the United States
influence public management.
Objective 2d. Diversity: Students will demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to a diverse public.
THEME 3. CRITICAL THINKING.
Objective 3a. Theory Application: Students will be able to apply theories to practical policy and
administrative situations.
Objective 3c. Problem Solving: Students will be able to structure problems and apply a systematic problem
solving approach.
Objective 3d. Ethical Reasoning: Students will be able to describe and apply a range of ethical perspectives
to ethical dilemmas inherent in Public Administration.
Objective 3e. Data analysis: Students will demonstrate ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
Objective 3f. Argumentation: Students will be able to organize and defend an argument.
Objective 3g. Reporting: Students will integrate the elements of theory, methods, problem structuring,
ethics, analysis, and argumentation to generate reports usable in government and nonprofit management.
THEME 4. CORE PUBLIC MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES.
Objective 4a. Policy Process: Students will understand the stages and processes of policy making.
Objective 4b. Policy Analysis: Students will demonstrate the ability to formally structure problems, forecast
expected policy outcomes, recommend preferred policies, monitor observed policy outcomes, and evaluate
policy performance.
Objective 4g. Information Technology: Students will be able to effectively use information technology to
accomplish administrative and policy tasks.
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Class Format
The course will be conducted as a seminar, i.e., seeking/requiring “meaningful class
participation” in the form of full engagement in-class discussions, sharing of professional
knowledge, with discussions used to help focus, reflect on, and draw relevant conceptual
meaning from the students' experiences with public institutions, the policy-making process and
public policy problems. These discussions will be closely integrated with class lectures, assigned
readings and written assignments. Thus, in view of the interactive nature of the class format and
assignments (and, attendance being a prerequisite to meaningful participation), students shall be
expected to attend all class sessions.
Assignments/Credit Breakdown
Assignment #1: Defining & Explaining Public Policy (& Public Policy Analysis) : Due week
2, will require library research and serves to organize our introduction to: What is public policy
(descriptive)?; How is it used (behavioral/operational)?; and, Why?/What purpose does it serve
(evaluative)? Also, what are some critical policy questions in the student's professional context
(application)? Format will be discussed during the 1st class session (approx. 3-5 pages). 10pts.
Assignment #2 & #3: Analysis, Application, & Critique: From nightly assigned Required
Readings*, each student will be expected to analyze and critique at least “2” article or chapter
from the weekly readings, and to be prepared (if called upon) to do a 5 minute presentation, or
assist in leading class discussion on such (approx. 2 pages). This paper should make use of
applications or examples from the student's professional setting.
2@10 =20 pts.
Assignment #4: Exploring Public Policy Data Sites, Policy Research Centers, and/or Policy
Journals.
5pts
Assignment #5: Team Projects on Benefit-Cost & Cost Effectiveness Analysis
10 pts.
Assignment #6: Individual Policy Study (policy analysis or program evaluation): Each student
shall prepare a detailed study (approx. 8-10 single-spaced pages, including: your key data tables
& figures; and references to other source literature; PLUS, a 1-2 pages Executive
Summary/Policy Memo) on a substantive policy issue in their immediate professional context.
Special attention should be placed on a well articulated Introduction, Problem Definition, and/or
Statement of the Problem as this may serve as a basis for Chapter 1 of the student’s PPA 698
Masters Paper.* The Individual Policy Study will be presented in class during the last class
meetings, but, a brief (no more than 1 page) statement of the proposed topic is expected by Week
4. Copies of the Executive Summary/ Policy Memo shall be made available to the entire class at
time of presentation.
20 pts.
*NOTE: The connection and value of PPA 691 to PPA 698 will be heavily discussed. In
addition, those students needing to interact with CSUB’s IRB should start by reviewing the IRB
Link at: http://www.csub.edu/gradstudies/irbhsr/
Pop Quizzes (and/or KOAN Question): generally drawn directly from the night’s assigned
readings.
10pts.
3
Final Exam:
10pts.
Meaningful Class Participation: (including contributing to class discussion, participation and
completion of short in-class analytical exercises and attendance).
15pts.
_____
Total = 100pts.
NOTE: Since all assignments will be used to organize class discussion, it is essential that all
assignments be completed on schedule and that students are prepared to discuss their papers.
Late Assignments shall be deducted one letter grade.
Grading
94 - 100% = A
90 - 93% = A88 - 89% = B+
84 - 87% = B
74 - 77% = C
80 - 83% = B70 - 73% = C78 - 79% = C+ 0 - 69% = F
Office Hours/Assistance
Individual assistance for students in meeting course requirements or enhancing learning is
available to all students upon request.
Required Texts
Readings on Public Policy Analysis: a required reader has been prepared for the class and will be
available for purchase during the first week of class. See attached.
The reader contains: Table of Contents of required readings; Additional References
(which may be discussed in-class or useful as basis for some course assignments);
Selected Sources of Demographic Data; and, Selected Web Pages of various Public
Policy Research Centers.
All assigned readings shall be completed prior to the respective class session with students
prepared to discuss, critique and explore the applicability of theories and concepts to their
personal work setting. Other supplemental Readings may additionally be assigned.
Course Outline and Reading Schedule: Week (Date)
[REQUIRED READING for each class sessions are noted in BOLD with an *]
[Recommended Reading are also listed for each class session]
PART I: INTRODUCTION & THEMATIC ISSUES
1 (Mar. 27)
Introduction to the Course, Format, Assignments and Readings
Some essential questions for discussion:
I.
What is (public) policy?
(Descriptive)
What is it used for? / How is it used? (Behavioral/Operational)
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What purpose does it serve? Why?
II.
III.
(Evaluative)
What is (public) policy analysis?
What are critical policy issues and questions in your professional arena?
[Review Instructions for Assignment #1:
Defining & Explaining Public Policy (& Public Policy Analysis)]
PART II: PUBLIC POLICY & PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS THEORY
2 (April 3)
Analytical Frameworks for Defining & Understanding:
[Assignment #1 Due:
Defining & Explaining Public Policy (& Public Policy Analysis)]
Public Policy;
Policy Analysis (Policy Formation / Policy Implementation / Policy Evaluation);
Theories of Decision-Making (Models); and,
Role(s) of Policy Analysts.
Chandler & Plano:
 Decision Making: Incremental
 Decision Making: Mixed Scanning
 Decision Making: Rational-Comprehensive
Stokey:
Ch. 1, Thinking About Policy Choices (pp. 1-7)
J. Anderson: Table 1.3, p. 37, "The Policy Process"
Dye:
Ch. 2, Models of Politics
Optional-
Ch. 5, Poverty and Welfare: The Search for a Rational Strategy
Optional- Guess:
3 (April 10)
1, Introduction to Policy Analysis (pp. 1-5)
Public Policy Making: Agendas, Alternatives, and the Policy Making Process
*Kingdon:
Ch. 1, How Does an Idea's Time Come?
Ch. 4 Processes: Origins, Rationality, Incrementalism &
Garbage Cans
Social & Public Policy Problems: Problem-Solving and Conflict Analysis
Kingdon:
5, Problems
Spector: 1, Introduction - Constructing Social Problems
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Optional- J. Anderson Ch. 3, Policy Formation: Problems,
Agendas and Formulation
4 (April 17)
Martinez:
Problem Analysis in Public Policy & Administration
Romero:
“Value Frameworks in the Policy Analysis Course:
An Application Exercise,” JPAE, Summer 2006
C. Anderson: The Place of Principles in Policy Analysis
Individual Policy Study: (1 Page Proposal Due)
PART III: PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS METHODS & MEMOS
5 (April 24)
Public Policy Research: Data Sites; Policy Centers & Agencies; and, Journals:



Public Policy Data Sites
Pubic Policy Research Centers
Public Policy & Public Policy Analysis Journals
OptionalWeitzman, et. al.: “Efforts to Improve Public Policy and Programs through Data
Practices: Experiences in 15 Distressed American Cities,” PAR,
May/June 2006.
[Assignment Due: Exploring Public Policy Data Sites & Centers]
California Policy Context:
Required Readings:


6 (May 1)
“California’s San Joaquin Valley: A Region in Transition” Congressional
Research Service Report, 2005 (Summary, and Chapter 1, Introduction,
pp. 13-30)
Paradise Lost: California’s Experience, American’s Future, Peter Schrag,
1998, (Part I)
Public Policy Research (continued): Applications of GIS (Geographic Information
Systems) for Doing Policy Analysis:
GUEST SPEAKER:
Jesus Garcia, Research Services Coordinator,
Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office
Optional-
6
Elwood: “GIS Use in Community Urban Governance: Understanding Their
Implications for Community Action and Power,” Urban Geography,
2001.
7 (May 8)
Intro to Benefit-Cost & Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Government Programs
Assignment #5: Team Project Presentations Due:
Chandler & Plano:
 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Fixed Utility
 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Fixed Budget
Benefit-Cost Analysis:
Stokey:
Ch. 9, Program Evaluation: B-C Analysis
(Excerpt, pp. 134-153)
Gramlich:
Ch. 1 Introduction
Ch. 5, Excerpt (pp 66 - 73) on Valuations of Benefits and Costs
When Markets Do Not Exist - Loss of Life
Optional- Gramlich: Ch. 2 Why Should Government Intervene in a
Capitalist Economy?
Optional- Guess:
Ch. 6, Benefit-Cost Analysis: The 55 MPH Speed Limit
Cost Effectiveness Analysis:
Stokey:
Poister:
Optional- Guess:
OptionalStokey:
8 (May 15)
Ch. 9, Cost Effectiveness, (Excerpt, pp. 153-158)
Excerpt (pp. 421 - 427) on Cost Effectiveness Analysis
5, Cost Effectiveness Analysis
Ch. 5, Queues
Policy Analysts & Doing Policy Analysis
Writing and Evaluating Policy Memos and Reports:
Radin: “Evolution of the Policy Analysis Field: From Conversation to
Conversations,” Journal of Policy Analysis & Management, Spr. ‘97
Enthoven Ch. 22, Ten Practical Principles of Policy Analysis
Biller:
Some Key Points in Drafting Policy and Administrative
Recommendations
9 (May 22)
Policy Analysis & Evaluation Method: “The Sequential Purchase of Information”
*Shafritz: 43, Purposes of Evaluation, by Weiss
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Optional- J. Anderson: 7, Policy Impact, Evaluation, and Change
PART IV: SUBSTANTIVE POLICY AREAS: APPLYING THEORY AND PRINCIPLES
OF PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS TO YOUR PERSONAL CONTEXT
Individual Policy Studies: Student Presentations
10 (May 29)
Individual Policy Studies: Student Presentations (continued)
Final Exam
Schedule to be announced
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