Time Schedule:
Peter J. May
POL S 303
Seattle Campus
Policy decision making with emphasis on: how issues arise, the way they become part of the policy agenda of the executive and the legislature, how these institutions organize to handle policy issues, and the roles of the legislature, the executive, and the bureaucracy. Public policy literature and familiarization with key aspects of policy decision making at the national, state, and local levels.
Class description
Description. This course is concerned with political aspects of public policymaking in the United States. It is designed for students with an academic or professional interest in government or domestic policymaking. The course is intended to provide knowledge and skills for: * Explaining why some issues become subjects for policymaking and others do not; * Distinguishing politically feasible courses of action from those that are not; * Understanding variability in policy "success" and "failure." Classes consist of a mix of lecture and discussion concerning the assigned readings and the politics of different policy issues. As a prerequisite for this course, students are expected to have basic knowledge of the institutions and processes of American government.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Texts. Thomas Birkland, An Introduction to the Policy Process, plus supplemental readings to be determined. Grading. Grading will be based on a set of papers related to the political analysis and exams. Exams: 50 % Papers: 30 % Class/quiz participation: 20 % Total: 100 %
Class assignments and grading
Assignments. Each student will be required to conduct an in-depth political analysis for a current or recent set of policy proposals. There will be a mid-term and a final exam.
Grading. Grading will be based on a set of papers related to the political analysis and exams. Exams: 50 % Papers: 30 % Class/quiz participation: 20 % Total: 100 %
