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Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation - POLS 6204Thursday 5:30 8:00, Pafford 111
Spring 2007
Department of Political Science and Planning
University of West Georgia
Instructor:
Dr. Sooho Lee
Phone: 678-839-4991 Office: 125 Pafford
Email: slee@westga.edu Office Hours: W 1-5 pm, R 1-5 pm or by appointment
Course Objectives:
The objective of this course is to introduce you to the basic concepts in policy analysis and
program evaluation. Policy analysis is an interdisciplinary problem solving activity, usually
beginning with the identification and definition of a problem in the public realm, the development
of policy alternatives and options to address the problem, the delineation of objectives and
criteria, the evaluation of impacts of the options, the estimation of future effects, and
recommendations for action. The fundamental goal of policy analysis and evaluation is to help
policy makers arrive at viable, informed policy choices with a credible expectation of what the
expected outcomes of those policy choices will be.
This course intends to train you to grasp the nature of policy analysis and evaluation as a
discipline and to practically apply analytical techniques to evaluating problems in the real world.
Some major foci are on policy analysis as a discipline (meaning and nature of policy analysis and
evaluation), structuring policy problems (rationales for public policy, market failure, efficiency,
effectiveness, and values), forecasting policy outcomes (modeling), evaluating policy
performance (cost-benefit analysis and cost effectiveness analysis), utilizing policy analysis, and
roles of policy analysts (ethical issues).
Required Texts:
Dunn, William (2004) Public Policy Analysis: An Introduction. 3rd Edition. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice Hall
Bardach, Eugene (2005) A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More
Effective Problem Solving, 2ndEdition, Washington, D.C.: CQ Press
Radin, B. A. (2000). Beyond Machiavelli: Policy Analysis Comes of Age. Washington, D.C.:
Georgetown University Press
Various journal articles, book chapters, and government reports will be selected for the readings[See the course schedule for detail information].
Recommended Texts:
There are many good texts in the study of policy analysis/program evaluation. You may choose
any of the recommended texts for your additional study. Throughout the semester, we will read
some of the important chapters of the recommended texts.
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Weimer, David L. and Aidan R. Vining (2005) Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice 4th ed.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
Munger, Michael C. (2000) Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts and Practices, New York:
W.W. Norton & Company
Fitzpatrick, J., Sanders, J., & Worthen, B. (2004) Program Evaluation: Alternative
Approaches and Practical Guidelines 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Carl V. Patton and David S. Sawicki (1993) Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning, 2nd
edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall
Wholey, Joseph, Harry Hatry, and Kathryn Newcomer (ed) (1994) Handbook of Practical
Program Evaluation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers
Wildavsky, Aaron (2000) Speaking Truth To Power: The Art and Craft of Policy Analysis.
Transaction Publishers
Heineman, Robert, William Bluhm, Steven Peterson, and Edward Kearny (1997) The World ofthe Policy Analyst: Rationality, Values, and Politics. Chatham, NJ: Chtham House Publishers, Inc
Stone, Deborah (2001) Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making. W. W. Norton &
Company
Prerequisites:
Although this course has no specific prerequisite, it normally requires students to have basic
understanding of micro economics, public finance, analytical research methods, and policy
making & implementation. In addition, appropriate oral presentation and writing skills are
essential elements in this course.
Course requirements and evaluation:
1. Exams (40%)There will be two take-home exams: mid-term (15%) and final exam (25%). The exams
cover all the class discussions and the texts. The final exam will be comprehensive,
including not only all the materials and discussions but also analytical and evaluative
ability in public policy.
2. Policy Memorandum (30%)This requirement makes you to practice the role of policy analyst in a not-for-profit
organization. Given a social and governmental issue, policy analysts should provide
appropriate and timely alternatives or solutions for decision-making. I will assign you an
issue or significant questions; you will provide succinct analysis and recommendation withpersuasive reasons (More requirements will be explained for each assignment later. Please
read Dunns Appendix 3 for the similar requirements and sample writing). The
memorandum should be typed and two-page long (double-spaced) with the font size of 12
in New Roman.
3. Policy Analysis/Program Evaluation Paper (25%)You should choose a policy or program to analyze or evaluate for this course. Any policy
or program in not-for-profit organizations will be fine. However, your choice should be
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approved by the instructor before Feb 1. In brief, the content should have executive
summary, problem background/significance, literature review, analysis framework,
methods, findings, recommendations, and conclusion (More information about the
requirement will be provided in class later. Also read Dunns Appendix 1 4). It is strongly
recommended that you take a familiar topic (for example, programs or policy in your
organization) that allows you sufficient information and resources. It should be 15 page
long without references and cover/title page, with double-spaced in 12 font of New TimeRoman. The due date for this assignment is April 19. You will orally present your paper in
class (Please read Dunns Appendix 4).
4. Participation (5%)Your quality participation is required and evaluated throughout the semester. You should
be ready to discuss the issues in each class. This is not a lecture-only class but an
interactive seminar. One absence deducts three percent from the total grade point. Morethan three absences without the instructors approval will be dropped from the course for
excessive absence.
Final grade
Final grade point (100%) = Exams (40%) + Policy memorandum (30%) + Analysis/EvaluationPaper (25%) + Participation (5%)
A (90% or higher), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), and F (59% or lower)
Plagiarism
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student who plagiarizes another's work will automatically
fail this course [Read the University Honor Code and the Student Handbook].
Class Schedule
Jan 11. Introduction
Course introduction
What is policy analysis? I
Dunn, Chapter 1. The Process of Policy Analysis
Dunn, Appendix 1 & 2
Radin, Chapter 1. A Portrait of the Past
Heineman et al. Chapter 1. The Emergence of a Field
Assignment: Searching your policy analysis paper topic (due Feb 1)
Jan 18. Policy Analysis as a Discipline and Practice
What is policy analysis? II
Dunn, Chapter 2. Policy Analysis in the Policy-Making Process
Radin, Chapter 2. Policy Analysis Today: Dueling Swords
Weimer & Vining, Chapter 2. What is Policy Analysis?
Heineman et al. Chapter 2. Rationality and Decision Making
Assignment: Please read Bardachs book carefully (due Jan 25)
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Jan 25. The practicalities of policy analysis craft
A practical guide for policy analysis [Eightfold Path]
Bardach, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 1 (due Feb 1)
Feb 1. Framing Policy Problems
Nature of policy problemsProblem structuring
Types of policy models
Methods of problems structuring
Dunn, Chapter 3. Structuring policy problemsDunn, Chapter 4. Forecasting expected policy outcomes
** Due: Policy Analysis Paper Topic
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 2 (due Feb 8)
Feb 8. Identifying Alternatives and Setting Evaluatative Criteria
Policy alternatives and evaluation criteria
Patton & Sawicki, Chapter 5. Establishing Evaluation Criteria
Patton & Sawicki, Chapter 6. Identifying alternatives
Patton & Sawicki, Chapter 7. Evaluating alternatives
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 3 (due Feb 15)
Feb 15. Information Collection
Survey methodsCase study
Interviews
Weimer & Vining, Chapter 13. Gathering Information for Policy Analysis
Wholey et al. Chapter 11. Designing and Conducting Surveys (Thomas Miller)
Wholey et al, Chapter 12. The Systematic Use of Expert Judgment (Harvey Averch)
Wholey et al, Chapter 14. How to Use Focus Groups (Debra Dean)
Wholey et al, Chapter 10. Use of Ratings by Trained Observers (John Greiner)
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 4 (due Feb 22)
Feb 22. Analyzing Data and Evaluating the Policy Outcomes IAnalytical techniques
Evaluating the criteria
Dunn, Chapter 6. Monitoring observed policy outcomes
Dunn, Chapter 7. Evaluating policy performance
Mar 1. Mid-term Exam
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Mar 8. Analyzing Data and Evaluating the Policy Outcomes II
Cost benefit analysis
Cost effectiveness analysis
Weimer & Vining, Chapter 16. Cost-Benefit Analysis
Wholey et al, Chapter 19. Benefit Cost Analysis in Program Evaluation
Gupta, Chapter 14. Choosing the Best Alterantive: Cost-Benefit Analysis
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 5 (due Mar 15)
Mar 15. Analyzing Data and Evaluating the Policy Outcomes III
Linear modeling
Causation and Validity Issues
Posavac & Carey, Chapter 8. Single Group Nonexperimental Outcome Evalutions
Posavac & Carey, Chapter 9. Quasi-experimental Approaches to Outcome Evaluations
Gupta, Chapter 12. Models of Causal Prediction: Multiple Regression
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 6 (due Mar 29)
Mar 29. Developing Policy Arguments
Policy arguments
Dunn, Chapter 8. Developing policy arguments
Stone, Chapter 1. The market and the polis
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 7 (due Apr 5)
Apr 5. Utilization and Dissemination of Evaluation Results
Use and credibility of policy analysis
Dunn, Chapter 9. Communicating Policy Analysis
Wholey et al, Chapter 24. Maximizing the Use of Evaluation Results
Bozeman, Barry and D. Landsbergen, "Truth and Credibility in Sincere Policy Analysis",
Evaluation Review 1989 August; 13 (4): 355-79
N. Shulock, The Paradox of Policy AnalysisJournal of Policy Analysis and
Management, 18, 2, 1999.
Assignment: Policy Memorandum 8 (due Apr 12)
Apr 12. Ethical Issues, the Roles of Policy Analysts, and the Future
Speaking truth to power
ProfessionalimValues
Wildavsky, Chapter 16. Analysis as Craft
Weimer & Vining, Chapter 3. Toward Professional Ethics
Radin, Chapter 4. Dealing with Two Cultures: Politics and Analysis
Radin, Chapter 7. The Policy Task
Radin, Chapter 8. Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
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Apr 19. Paper Presentation
** Due: Policy Analysis/Program Evaluation Paper
Apr 26. Paper Presentation and Final Exam Distribution
Recommended