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| Applied Policymaking SyllabusApplied Policy Making: The Roosevelt Institution The class will meet Tuesdays from 7-8pm for lecture in 60-61G, followed by discussion sections from 8-9pm. Sections will be organized on the first day based on topic interests -- folks who are interested in education will be together, environment, etc. Reading should be done before lecture each week. The core of this course is the preparation and presentation of policy research on the topic of your choice. Your grade will be determined by a combination of your performance on work relevant to your chosen topic and participation in discussion, both in lecture and section. The policy research assignment consists of three parts: a researched policy proposal of 4-7 pages, an op-ed advocating the proposal you've created, and a presentation of the ideas in the research proposal. Presentations will first be made in the sections in week 8 and the best proposals will then present to the entire class in week 9. While it is not a requirement, we recommend that you conceive of a proposal that you'll have the access to implement -- something practical that can be done at the state, city, county, business, or administrative level that would impact the topic area you care about. You are welcome to work individually or in groups; groups will be expected to have done a commensurately increased amount of research. As a grading aide, each individual is expected also to include a one-page document describing the process they undertook to arrive at their proposal -- what sources were consulted, who did what in group projects, etc. The readings represent a relatively light workload that is frontloaded to allow you to work on your independent research. We have tried to select reading that is interesting, current, well-written, and cheap. It's all available online except for Miller and Bardach, which are both paperbacks and are available from the Bookstore. Weeks eight and nine will be presentations of policy proposals. For those weeks, the op-ed and research reports of the groups presenting are the assigned readings. Class members are expected to write a paragraph of constructive comments on each piece, which are included in the participation portion of the grade. Each presentation will be followed by discussion of the proposal, what might be done to improve it, and how to take it to the public policy process. 9/26 - Week 1: Course Introduction Lecture: (I) Introduction to the course -- readings, expectations, etc. 10/3 - Week 2: Why Policy? Readings: (looks like a lot, but they’re short and most are available in audio format) Lecture: Overview of the current standard approach to public policy. Policy versus the market. Interest groups. Discussion Sections: (I) What is the purpose of government? 10/10 - Week 3: Policy in Action I Guest Lecture: Working Partnerships USA Readings: Eugene Bardach, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving, p. 1-46 Discussion Sections: (I) What are the main problems in your topic area? 10/17 - Week 4: Policy In Action II Guest lecture: State Senator Jackie Speier Readings: Matt Miller, The 2% Solution, p. 92-113 Discussion Sections: The day will be spent brainstorming new policy ideas from each appropriate discipline and for each level of government or society for how to approach the problems in the topic area. 10/24 - Week 5: Policy In Action III Guest Lecture: US Rep. Zoe Lofgren Readings: Matt Miller, The 2% Solution, p. 114-181 Discussion Sections:
10/31 - Week 6: Framing Policy Readings: George Lakoff, "Framing 101: How to take back the public discourse" Discussion Sections: (I) What is the relationship between electoral politics, policy, media advocacy, and organizing? 11/7 – Week 7: Roosevelt Writing Workshop Readings: George Lakoff, Thinking Points excerpt, “Twelve Traps to Avoid” 11/14 – Week 8: No Lecture – Work on Policy Research 11/28 – Week 9: Presentations Guest Lecture: State Controller Steve Westly 12/5 – Week 10: Conclusion
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