POLS 300: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY (3 credits)

BAL 3068, MW, 3-4:15 pm

Political scientists Michael Kraft and Scott Furlong define public policy in the following way:  "what public officials within the government, and by extension the citizens they represent, choose to do or not to do about public problems."  The purpose of this course is to better understand the public policy making process.  As social scientists we want to examine what policies have been made by government, what factors might account for these policies and what effect specific policies have on the public.  The course begins with an overview of the public policy making process followed by an analysis of several policy issues that focus on institutional reform. 

Course Goals

1.  Increase the understanding of the concepts, themes, theories and political actors involved in the    policy-making process

2.  Improve descriptive and analytical skills

3.  Improve writing skills

4.  Improve verbal communication skills

Course Requirements

1.  A midterm exam consisting of short answer and essay questions.  A blue book is required for the exam (penalty: five points......you have been warned!)

2.  Policy Paper.  See section on "Policy Paper."

3.  Policy Paper presentation (see #2 above)

4.  Student Group project.  See section on "Student Group Project."

5.  Policy-Making Quiz.  See section on "Student Group Project."

6.  Participation in class discussions.

E-mail Communication

Students are required to contact the instructor using their ODU e-mail account.

Course Evaluation

Student course evaluations are conducted online at the end of the semester.  You will receive reminders from the University near the end of the semester encouraging you to complete the evaluations of your courses.  Your participation in this evaluation process is very helpful to the instructors, the college and the university.