George Mason University – Graduate Council
Graduate Course Approval Form
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Note: Colleges, Schools or Institutes are responsible for submitting new or modified catalog descriptions (35 words or
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Please indicate: New___X____
Modify_______
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Department/Unit: CHHS/ Health Administration Policy Course Subject/Number: HAP 542 (3:3:0)
Submitted by: Jim Vail
Ext: 3-1913
Email: jvail@gmu.edu
Course Title: Health Policy
Effective Term (New/Modified Courses only): Fall 2007
Credit Hours: (Fixed) 3
(Var.) ______ to ______
Final Term (deleted courses only):
Grade Type (check one):
X____
_____
_____
Regular graduate (A, B, C, etc.)
Satisfactory/No Credit only
Special graduate (A, B, C, etc. +IP)
Repeat Status*(check one): ___ NR-Not repeatable ____ RD-Repeatable within degree ____ RT-Repeatable within term
*Note: Used only for special topics, independent study, or internships courses
Total Number of Hours Allowed: _______
Schedule Type Code(s): 1.____ LEC=Lecture SEM=Seminar STU=Studio INT=Internship IND=Independent Study
2.____ LAB=Lab RCT=Recitation (second code used only for courses with Lab or Rct component)
Prereq ___ Coreq ___ (Check one):_______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: Modified courses - review prereq or coreq for necessary changes; Deleted courses - review other courses to correct prereqs that list the deleted course.
Description of Modification (for modified courses):____________________________________________________________________
Special Instructions (major/college/class code restrictions, if needed):__________________________________________
Department/Unit Approval Signature:_________________________________________ Date: _____________
College/School Committee Approval Signature:__________________________________ Date:_____________
Graduate Council Approval Date:____________ Provost Office Signature:_________________________________
George Mason University
Graduate Course Coordination Form
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Health Policy
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
College of Health and Human Services
Syllabus: HAP/NURS 542 Health Policy
Faculty:
Carole P. Jennings, Ph.D., RN., FAAN
Associate Professor
Office (703) 993-1930
Email: cjennin1@gmu.edu
West Bldg. #142
Catalog Description:
Explores issues surrounding the development of health policy and the influence of policy on health care
delivery, nursing and other health professions.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of the Course the student will be able to:
1. Review judiciary, legislative, regulatory processes and outcomes relevant to health policy development
and health care delivery systems.
2. Analyze the implications of federal, state and local budget considerations on
Health policy formation and implementation.
3. Explore the ethical, political and historical factors influencing the development of health policy in the
public sector.
4. Analyze the relationship between health policy and the education and practice of nursing and other
health professions.
5.
Explore various models of policy development and policy analysis.
6.
Examine strategies to influence health care policymaking including communication of relevant health
services research and the use of the media.
7.
Evaluate political and policymaking processes that influence health care through
the development of a legislative action plan.
Required Textbooks:
Weissert, Weissert (1996). Governing Health: The Politics of Health Policy. The Johns Hopkins University
Press: Baltimore, Maryland.
Longest, Jr., Beaufort . (1998). Health Policymaking in the United States. AUPHA, Press/Health
Administration Press: Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Recommended Textbook:
Mason,D J., J. K. Leavitt and Mary W. Chaffee. (2002). Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care:
Fourth Edition. Saunders: St Louis, MO.
Recommended Policy Journals:
Health Affairs
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice
Useful Internet Sites:
See attached
Teaching Strategies:
This course includes a variety of teaching/learning methods that facilitate active involvement of students; these
include lecture, seminar, issue examination and debate, student presentations, and policy writing assignments.
Evaluation Methods:
Seminar participation—active discussion on assigned readings and willingness to engage in a lively dialogue
around pressing policy issues of the day. (expected!)
Reading Log
(20 points)
Interview and write-up of interview with senior policy person
(20 points)
Two Focus Questions given at midterm and end of course (these will take the place of the midterm and final
exam)
(10 points each: 20 point total)
Debate and Legislative Action Plan (group project)
(40 points)
.
George Mason University
College of Health and Human Services
HAP/NURS 542
Orientation. Introduction to course, discussion of assignments, form work group; Structure and History
of Government and Role of Government in Health Care
The Policy Process and Health Policies
Readings:
Longest, Chapters 1, 2
Weissert and Weissert, Introduction and Chapter 6
The Legislative Process and the Budget Cycle
Readings:
Longest, Chapter 3
Weissert and Weissert, Chapters, 1
The Regulatory Process and the Executive Branch
Readings:
Longest, Chapter 5
Weissert and Weissert, Chapter, 2
Student presentations on Federal agencies
The Judicial Branch and the Role of the Supreme Court
In Policymaking
Readings:
Longest, Chapter, 7
Debate #1
The Role of Special Interest Groups: Role of Lobbying
Readings:
Longest, Chapter, 3
Weissert and Weissert, Chapter 3
Guest Speaker
Focus Question #1 given to class
Models of Policy Analysis
Readings:
Weissert and Weissert, pp. 261-280
Article given out in class
Debate #2
Focus Question #1 due
State Government and Health Care Reform
Readings:
Longest, pp. 255-58
Weissert and Weissert, pp. 192-241
Guest Speaker
The Role of Health Services and Policy Research and the Media in Policymaking
Readings:
Class Handouts
Debate #3
The Medicare and Medicaid Program
Readings:
Obtain Kaiser Foundation reports on Medicare and Medicaid from organization’s website
Obtain recent Drug Benefit Legislation
No class-- free to do Interview Project with senior policy official
Health Workforce Shortages: The Dimensions of the Nursing Shortage in the state of Virginia
Readings:
Class Handouts
Debate #4
Guest Speaker
Focus Question #2 given to class
Student Presentations on Interview Project and Legislative Action Plans
Legislative Action Plans and Interview Project due
Focus Question #2 due
Course Evaluation
Reading Log due
Class Requirements:
Debate and Legislative Action Plan:
Student workgroups of 3-4 persons
Research a policy issue/ federal or state legislative proposal and develop pro
And con positions; choose one person to be Moderator
Grading grid will be distributed in class
Debate is preliminary to preparing legislative action plan
Write legislative action plan which includes context for legislation, social,
Political, economic, and ethical considerations must be presented along with
Key policy players, stakeholders/special interests that would benefit or be
Harmed by the legislation. Develop legislative action plan outlining what your group would do to contribute to
passage or decline of proposal. This should be something you, as a group, can accomplish this semester. Last you
must include a critique of your plan which you write at the end of the semester outlining what you would do the
same or do different if given the chance.
40 points
Reading Log:
You must provide a synopsis of two articles each week. These must be typed in correct APA format and kept in a
notebook that can be handed in at end of class. One article is to come from required readings and the other can be
one you find from other sources or recommended readings and journals or current policy magazines that present
current policy issues, i.e. Newsweek, Time, The Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal are all
acceptable and you may find some on the web. Write up should be 2-3 paragraphs or more if you like.
20 points
Interview with senior policy person:
Please select and interview you policy person early in the semester. The person should be in a senior government
policy position, a member of the state or federal legislature, or local government official, or one in the private sector
working in a special interest capacity. Your report will be presented in class and must also be written and handed in
on .
The report must include: a brief biographical sketch of the policy person and their current role in policymaking, a
brief overview of their organization and a listing of the policy priorities for that organization, and your evaluation of
the success of their policy role (this is to be gleaned from class and lecture material).
20 points
Focus Questions:
Two questions will be given out, one at midterm and one at the end of the semester. The question will test your
critical thinking on key issues covered in previous classes. The answer must be 3-4 typed double-spaced pages with
at least 2-3 references. Answer will be judged on the clarity of your understanding of issue and your ability to relate
your answer to the broader policy process and health care system.
Each question is worth 10 points