CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
PPA 210: Political Environment of Policy Making
Spring 2002
|
Professor David De Luz, M.P.P.A., M.A. |
Location: ALP 205 |
Scope and Purpose
Do politics really matter? This has been an enduring question since the American Founding. Theorists and scholars have worked to protect government policy from the self-interest of political actors; to create an apolitical science of government where rationality reigns and public policy is rescued from the indignities of politics. Alas, today it is generally accepted that this effort - thus far - fallen woefully short of its goal.
Instead of rejecting politics out of hand as the "crazy uncle in the basement" of policy making, this course asks students to embrace the notion that politics matters, and then go beyond that. This seminar seeks to provide a foundation for understanding the political environment of the public policy process. Specifically, the course seeks to establish a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between individual actors, institutional context and policy outcomes, and apply this framework to hands-on analysis of contemporary issues facing California and the nation as a whole.
This course examines the political environment of the policy process through several sets of lenses. We will endeavor to examine the motives of actors, institutional constraints and how these politics are altered at different stages of the policy process. Because of the shear breadth of the literature, ours will not be an exhaustive examination of any single stage or actor in the policy process, but rather it is a calculated effort to provide you with an understanding of the critical issues involved in policy making. Additionally, much of our work will focus on the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government, and how they interact with each other and the other external players in the policy process - most prominent being interest groups and the media. While many of the examples and theoretical developments presented in this course are drawn from an examination of the federal policy process, this course attempts to apply the "lessons learned" from these examples to the unique California policy environment. Finally, in the interest of time we will not discuss the role of the judiciary in any great length (although it should be noted that the courts do hold considerable sway in the policy process).
Requirements
Class Participation: Students are expected to attend all classes and to participate actively in discussions. This being the case, it is imperative that readings for the week be completed prior to class. Students will also participate via e-mail, forwarding questions/constructive comments on the readings to the instructor by the Friday preceding class. Your grade will be based upon the breadth, quality and consistency of your participation, both in class and via e-mail. Participation of all students is encouraged, and will be worth 15% of students’ final grade.
Policy Memos: Two individual memos will be assigned. Memo length is 2-3 pages, single-spaced. Memo topics will be distributed one week prior to the due date. Deadline extensions must be arranged in advance, and will lead to a grade deduction (depending upon circumstances surrounding request). Each memo will be equivalent to 15% of the student’s grade.
Class Presentations: Students will periodically be required to present the material for a given week (individually or as part of a team). Student presentations are to be 20-30 minutes, followed by a class discussion. Presenters will be required to submit a 5-page policy memo to accompany their presentation. The presentation and memo will be worth 25% of the students’ grade.
Take-home final exam: The final take home exam will be distributed on the last day of class. It is due in my office on Monday, May 20 by 5 p.m. No late exams will be accepted. The final exam will comprise 30% of each student’s grade.
Readings:
Most readings will be available at the Hornet Bookstore. In addition to the required texts listed below, many of the required readings will be available in a course packet. The packet contains articles and book chapters, as well as case study materials from various sources. Those readings that may not be available in the course packet will be distributed in class at least one week prior to their discussion, or they will be made available to view on reserve at the campus library.
The following texts are required:
Course Schedule and Assignments
Week 1. January 28
Politics of the policy process: overview
Week 2. February 4
The Kingdon Framework: Part I
Week 3. February 11
The Kingdon Framework: Part II
Week 4. February 18
Policy Entrepreneurs: Players inside the policy process
Week 5. February 25
Policy Entrepreneurs: Players outside the Policy Process
Policy Memo #1 distributed in class.
Week 6. March 4
The Problem Stream: Problem Definition, Agenda Setting and the Winnowing of Alternatives
***Policy Memo #1 due in class***
Week 7. March 11
The Policy Stream:
Week 8. March 18
The Politics Stream I: Public Opinion
March 25 and April 1***
Spring break and Caesar Chavez Day - No Class!
NOTE***: It is strongly advised that you stay current in the readings, and that you take advantage of this time off to review your notes. There is a significant amount of reading in the next couple of weeks, and to fall behind at this point could present a serious problem!
Week 9. April 8
The Politics Stream II: Mobilization and Collective Action
Week 10. April 15***
Conflict and Competitive Advantage in the Policy Environment (examining the weapons of war)
*** - I advise you to work in groups on this reading assignment! I know it’s a lot, but because of the two-week layoff we’ve got to make it up somewhere!!!!
Policy Memo #2 distributed in class.
Week 11. April 22
The Moral Maze and Ethics in Public Administration
***Policy Memo #2 due in class***
Week 12. April 29
Alternatives to Policy Confrontation I: Coalitions
Week 13. May 6
Alternatives to Policy Confrontation II: Negotiation
Week 14. May 13
Alternatives to Policy Confrontation III: More complex negotiation
Final exams to be distributed at the end of class.
Week 15. FINAL EXAMS DUE, Monday, May 20, 8 p.m.
No exceptions!