JSGS 806: Public Policy Analysis

JSGS 806: Public Policy Analysis INSTRUCTOR: UNIVERSITY OF REGINA CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN CAMPUS Martin Boucher PHONE: 306-612-1112 E-MAIL: OFFICE HOURS: By appointment By appointment OFFICE LOCATION: Available by appointment through email, skype, or phone TERM: Summer 2017 Summer 2017 ROOM: Online Online martin.boucher@usask.ca (preferred) By appointment: Kirkhall room 308 Available by appointment through email, skype, or phone Course materials available July 24 th Course materials available July 24 th DATE AND TIME: August 31, 2017 August 31, 2017 *All times are Central Standard Time, which is the time zone for Saskatoon and Regina. CALENDAR DESCRIPTION Focuses on the analysis of the processes whereby public policies arise and are enacted in Canada. The course compares theories and models of policy making and decision making to illustrate the special requirements of the Canadian environment and examines the roles of various participants in the policy process: legislators, political parties, interest groups, administrators and administrative structures, citizens, and the judiciary. LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this class, students should be able to: 1. Critically analyze policy case studies through the policy cycle framework 2. Apply common tools for public policy analysis 3. Apply evaluation strategies to given case studies 4. Communicate key elements of policy concisely and succinctly through both writing and oral presentations 5. Examine the changing role of public policy analysts

ATTRIBUTES OF JSGS GRADUATES 1. Management, Governance, and Leadership: Ability to inspire support for a vision or course of action and successfully direct the teams, processes, and changes required to accomplish it. 2. Communication and Social Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and build enduring, trustbased interpersonal, professional relationships. 3. Systems Thinking and Creative Analysis: Ability to identify key issues and problems, analyze them systematically, and reach sound, innovative conclusions. 4. Public Policy and Community Engagement: Ability to understand how organizational and public policies are formulated, their impact on public policy and management and how to influence their development. 5. Continuous Evaluation and Improvement: Commitment to on-going evaluation for continuous organizational and personal improvement. 6. Policy Knowledge: Ability to analyze and contribute content to at least one applied policy field. COURSE CONTENT AND APPROACH Policy analysis examines how policies are proposed, adopted, implemented, and evaluated. This course describes central features of the policy-making process and investigates several major Canadian domestic public policies. This course seeks to balance the theoretical (so your knowledge can grow and prepare you for future discussions) and the immediately practical (so you can participate in making sound public policy). As a core course in the MPA program of the JSGS, this course provides an overview of the general field of public policy analysis and policy management. The general objective of the course is to increase your capacity to undertake some of the key functions of a policy analyst or manager. For this online version of the JSGS 806 class, students will have the opportunity to view content including readings and videos, engage in interactive online activities, and complete independent and group based applied projects. The underlying philosophy of the class is to bring in a diverse range of expert knowledge into the convenience of an online format. The primary content of the class consists of a series of interviews with a variety of experts. As well, the class brings together both academic and practice oriented understandings of public policy analysis. The written content, assignments, textbooks, and videos were all developed with this mix in mind. COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS Week Module Readings and Videos Evaluation Due Date July 24 30 Module 1: What is Public Policy Analysis? Chapter 1: Policy Communities and Networks. Video Interviews with Dr. Jeremy Rayner, Dr. Peter

Phillips, Doug Moen, and Dr. Leslie Pal Note: There will be a group video conference on July 31 st at 5:00pm. The is NOT mandatory. The session will be a Q&A with the course instructor. The session will be recorded and posted so that students that are unable to attend can see the instructor s responses to the Q&A. Module 2: Modern Governance Chapter 2: Modern Governance: The Challenges for Policy Analysis. Turnbull, Nick. (2008). Harold Lasswell s Problem Orientation for the Policy Sciences. Critical Policy Studies, 2 (1): 72 91 Video interviews with Dr. Michael Atkinson, Dr. Ken Coates, Dr. Elizabeth Schwartz July 31 August 6 Module 3: Evidence Based Policy Analysis Bardach, E., Patashnik, E. (2016). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. New York: Chatham House Publishers. Introduction Part 1 Appendix A Goertz, C., Nwanekezie, K., Boucher, M., Gouchie, M., and Koebel, T. (2016, January 19). Measuring Action on Climate Change. Policy Options. Briefing Note Due August 6 th AbouZahr, C. (2011, October). Use of statistical data for policy analysis and advocacy: Some lessons learnt and suggestions for action. Background paper. In Workshop on Effective Use of Statistical Data for Policy Analysis and Advocacy: building on success, 24-26. Video interviews with Dr. Peter Phillips, Dr. Ken

Rasmussen, Dr. Garrett Richards Video on Writing Briefing Notes by Heather McWhinney Fischer, F., Miller, G.J., & Sidney, M. S. (2007). Handbook on Public Policy Analysis, Boca Raton: CRC Press Module 4: The Policy Cycle Chapter 4: Theories of the Policy Cycle by Werner Jann and Kai Wegrich Sabatier, P. and C. Weible. (2007). Theories of the Policy Process. 2nd. Ed. Boulder CO: Westview. Chapter 7: The Advocacy-Coalition Framework Innovations and Clarification Video interviews with Dr. Ken Rasmussen, Dr. Peter Phillips, Dr. Leslie Pal August 7 13 Module 5: Agenda Setting and Problem Definition Chapter 4: Problem Definition and Policy Analysis. Hisschemöller, M., & Hoppe, R. (1995). Coping with intractable controversies: the case for problem structuring in policy design and analysis. Knowledge, Technology & Policy, 8(4), 40-60. Video interviews with Dr. Daniel Beland, Dr. Peter Phillips, Doug Meon Cabinet Decision Item Due August 13 th Module 6: Policy Formation Chapter 4: Policy Instruments and Design Bardach, E., Patashnik, E. 2016. A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective

Module 7: Policy Implementation Problem Solving. New York: Chatham House Publishers. Parts 2 to 4 Appendix B Hood, C. (2007). Intellectual Obsolescence and Intellectual Makeovers: Reflections on Tools of Government after Two Decades. Governance, 20 (1): 127-144. Video interviews with Dr. Peter Phillips, John Wright, Dr. Rose Olfert, Dr. Brett Dolter Chapter 5: Policy Implementation Video interviews with Cheryl Camillo, Dr. Ken Rasmussen, and Chief Clive Weighill Group Presentation Due August 20 th August 14-20 Module 8: Policy Networks and Communities Chapter 6: Policy Communities and Networks Atkinson, M. and W. Coleman. (1992). Policy networks, policy communities and the problems of governance. Governance, 5(2), 154-180 Shirky, C. (2011). The Political Power of Social Media. Foreign Affairs, 90(1), 28 41. Smith, B. G. (2010). Socially Distributing Public Relations: Twitter, Haiti, and Interactivity in Social Media. Public Relations Review, 36(4), 329-335. Stone, Diane. (2008). Global Public Policy, Transnational Policy Communities, and Their Networks. Policy Studies Journal, 36 (1), 19 38. Video interviews with Dr. Jeremy Rayner, Dr. Peter

Module 9: Policy Evaluation Phillips, Danette Starblanket, Dr. Owen Adams Chapter 7: Policy Evaluation Video interviews with Dr. Ken Coates, John Wright, Dr. Joe Garcia, and Dr, Murray Fulton. August 21-27 Chapter 8: Policymaking Under Pressure Module 10: Decisionmaking Good, David A. (2011). Still Budgeting by Muddling through: Why Disjointed Incrementalism Lasts. Policy and Society, 30 (1), 41 51. Lindblom, Charles E. (1959). The Science of Muddling Through. Public Administration Review, 19 (2), 79 88. Video interviews with Doug Moen, Dr. Peter Phillips, Dr. Joe Garcia, Roy Romanow August 28-31 Module 11: Policy Communication Chapter 9: Policy Communication Nisbet, M. (2009). Communicating Climate Change: Why Frames Matter for Public Engagement. Environmental Magazine, 51(2). Final Exam Due August 31 st Video Interviews with Dale Eisler, Dr. Toddi Steelman, and Dr. Lisa Clark Module 12: Public

Policy Moving Forward Chapter 10: Conclusions Video interviews with Dr. Jeremy Rayner, Dr. Peter Phillips, Doug Moen, Dr. Leslie Pal, Dr. Michael Atkinson, Dr. Ken Coates, Dr. Elizabeth Schwartz, Dale Eisler, Dr. Toddi Steelman, and Dr. Lisa Clark, Dr. Joe Garcia, Roy Romanow, John Wright, Dr. Murray Fulton, Cheryl Camillo, Dr. Ken Rasmussen, Chief Clive Weighill, Dr. Rose Olfert, Dr. Brett Dolter, Dr. Ken Rasmussen, Dr. Garrett Richards, and Dr. Owen Adams *See the Required Readings section in the module in Blackboard for the complete list of readings. REQUIRED READINGS Bardach, E., Patashnik, E. (2016). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. New York: Chatham House Publishers. Pal, Leslie A. (2014). Beyond Policy Analysis: Public Issue Management in Turbulent Times. Toronto: Nelson Textbooks are available from the University of Saskatchewan Bookstore: www.usask.ca/consumer_services/bookstore/textbooks EVALUATION Forums 15% Briefing Note 15% Cabinet Decision Item 20% Group Presentation 20% Final Policy Analysis 30% DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS: Participation (Individual) DUE July 30 th, August 6 th, August 13 th, August 20 th, August 27 th, and August 31 st (Due at the end of each week)

A variety of topics will be discussed in the board throughout the class. Students are responsible for providing thoughtful comments on the discussion board every week. Briefing Note (Group) DUE August 6 th In groups of 3-5 prepare a one to two-page note providing a technical briefing to a minister or senior official on a contemporary issue; topics will be distributed in the course (single spaced; 12 point, use specified format) Cabinet Decision Item (Group) DUE August 13 th In groups of 3-5 prepare a maximum three-page executive summary of a recommendation to cabinet on a course action related to a recent policy decision; topics will be distributed in the course (single spaced; 12 point; use specified format; max three pages) Presentation (Group) DUE August 20 th In groups of 3-5 prepare a 10-minute (10-15 slides) group presentation on the cabinet decision item. Presentations are to be prerecorded (ppt voice over) and share on the class discussion board. Final Exam - Public Policy Analysis/Critical Essay (Individual) DUE August 31st A 3000-5000 word public policy analysis or critical essay on a topic of your choice. LATE ASSIGNMENTS Late assignment will be assigned a penalty of 5%; assignments more than a week late will lose a full grade of 10%; special circumstances will be considered upon application by the student. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS U of R: Students in this course who, because of a disability, may have a need for accommodations are encouraged to discuss this need with the instructor and to contact the Coordinator of Special Needs Services at (306) 585-4631. U OF S: Students in this course who, because of a disability, may have a need for accommodations are encouraged to discuss this need with the instructor and to contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) at 966-7273. Students Experiencing Stress University of Regina (U of R): Students in this course who are experiencing stress can seek assistance from the University of Regina Counselling Services. For more information, please see the attached document, visit this website: http://www.uregina.ca/student/counselling/contact.html, or call (306) 585-4491 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time Monday to Friday. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND CONDUCT

U of R: Ensuring that you understand and follow the principles of academic integrity and conduct as laid out by the University of Regina (available at http://www.uregina.ca/gradstudies/gradcalendar/policy-univ.html) is vital to your success in graduate school. Ensuring that your work is your own and reflects both your own ideas and those of others incorporated in your work is important: ensuring that you acknowledge the ideas, words, and phrases of others that you use is a vital part of the scholarly endeavour. If you have any questions at all about academic integrity in general or about specific issues, contact your course instructor to discuss your questions. U OF S: Understanding and following the principles of academic integrity and conduct as laid out in the University of Saskatchewan s Guidelines for Academic Conduct is vital to your success in graduate school (available at www.usask.ca/university_secretary/council/reports_forms/reports/guide_conduct.php). Ensuring that your work is your own and reflects both your own ideas and those of others incorporated in your work is important: ensuring that you acknowledge the ideas, words, and phrases of others that you use is a vital part of the scholarly endeavour. If you have any questions at all about academic integrity in general or about specific issues, contact any faculty member and we can discuss your questions.