CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PUBLIC POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
FALL 1999

Course Content and Objectives

This is the introductory course in the Graduate Program and is designed to provide broad exposure to the history, values, conflicts, and challenges which have been characteristic of academic discourse and the practice of public policy and administration. PPA graduate students typically bring diverse academic backgrounds, with the majority having some organizational experience, either as interns/fellows or as professional analysts and administrators. The seminar will be organized to utilize that broad experiential and academic base through a variety of written and in class assignments. I also hope that you will work together with your fellow students in forming a unique learning community which can serve as a support for you both intellectually and personally.

Specific learning objectives include:

1. self assessing professional goals and learning objectives
   
   
2. understanding the relevance of essential institutional features of American government, California State and Local Governments to political cultures and the study of PPA
   
   
3. understanding the values, norms, and some of the Best practices of graduate education
   
   
4. building skills in writing and policy analysis
   
   
5. understanding and utilizing the varied perspectives or lens on the field and profession including political science, economics, social psychology/public administration
   
   
6. developing ethical perspectives and stances.
   
   
7. Learning about Internet based resources in public policy and administration

8. strengthening interpersonal/group collaboration and presentation skills

Required Texts

James Q. Wilson, Bureaucracy
Edward L. Lascher, Jr., The Politics of Automobile Insurance Reform
Mark Baldassare, When Government Fails: The Orange County Bankruptcy
Steven Rhoads, The Economists View of the World

Note: other readings/articles or internet resources will be assigned

Graduate seminars rely on the expectation that you will have completed the readings assigned and thought about the questions and issues which they have raised for you. Successful learning requires that you be an active learner, attend seminars regularly (no more than three absences permitted), submit papers on time, be an active participant in class discussions and be a good listener and questioner. As you might guess, quality is as critical as quantity. Absences which are not first cleared with me will be considered unexcused.

Short Papers: Four short papers are assigned as noted in the schedule. These papers are to be responsive to a set of questions, representing your initial thinking about the subject matter of the readings assigned. I am aware that this is difficult for some of you, to write a paper about issues which have not yet been discussed in class. Try to live with that anxiety and not let it immobilize you. The paper questions should help focus your reading. Because papers are 2-3 pages in length, please minimize the quotes (though be sure to reference the readings in an appropriate format) and learn to put others= thoughts into your own words.

Group Project/Presentation: I will be assigning groups of 3-4 students policy./administrative problems or challenges to stimulate group research and problem solving. The work will culminate in a group oral presentation (approximately 30-45 the last two weeks of the semester.

Final Paper: Select a concept/framework developed from the readings (you may develop your own amalgam if you wish). Use that framework to describe and explore an administrative or policy issue of interest to you (12-15 pages). Evaluate how well the framework matches the reality you know, what kinds of reality does it particularly illuminate? What kinds of reality does it blur? Where does this examination lead you? What questions are left unanswered? What new questions do you have?

Portfolio: Each student will be responsible for submitting a portfolio of their academic work during the semester. The portfolio will include, at a minimum, 1) selection of one of the short papers which includes a reflective essay on learning which occurred as a result of assignment and and 2) revision, as appropriate, of learning objectives, career goals, assessment of professional strengths and weaknesses. Note: for full time graduate students who do not yet or have not had a organization At home please consult with me before the second class meeting and we will find you one.

Class list: Each of you is encouraged to secure an e mail (saclink) account if you do not already have an e mail account. Secure an application form from the User Counter of the Science Building (3rd floor) or from the PPA Department Office. You may use the campus computer labs if you do not have access to a computer at work or at home. We will establish a class list serv to enhance our communication between class sessions, e.g. to clarify assignments, to answer student questions, and to announce events or availability of information.

Schedule

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