LEAD 604: The Policymaking Process Spring 2012, Camino 111, Mondays 5:30 8:20

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1 LEAD 604: The Policymaking Process Spring 2012, Camino 111, Mondays 5:30 8:20 Professor: Fred Galloway, Office Phone/Fax: 275H MRH, / Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30 5:00 and by appointment The purpose of this course is twofold; to help students understand the policy-making process from a variety of perspectives, and to develop the analytical tools necessary to be skilled players in whatever policy arena students choose to exercise their leadership skills. This will be accomplished by dividing the course into roughly three parts models, tools, and analysis. In the first part, several different conceptual models, or frames of analysis, will be discussed using the Cuban Missile crisis as an example, allowing students to see how different conceptual models typically produce different conclusions. In the second part of the course, a variety of analytical tools (e.g. game theory, present discounted value) will be introduced so that students will have the analytical machinery required for high-level policy analysis. In the final part of the course, these conceptual models and analytical tools will be applied to a variety of realworld policy issues, drawing from the governmental, educational, and international arenas. These applications will take the form of written policy briefs, and for the final exam, an oral presentation as well. As such, the course objectives include: 1. To develop an in-depth understanding of at least three different conceptual models of the policy process. 2. To develop an appreciation for the importance of structural incentives in policymaking. 3. To examine the roles of key public officials, interest groups, political parties, the media, and public opinion 4. To develop the analytical skills necessary to do policy research and the written skills needed to report the results in an easily understandable manner. 5. To develop the presentation skills necessary for high level policy briefings. There are three required texts for the course, Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis, by Graham Allison and Philip Zelikow, Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Choices, by John Kingdon, and Collapse: The Crash of Civilizations, by Jared Diamond. In addition to these two texts, there are also a number of handouts that will help out with some of the analytical tools discussed in the second part of the course, as well as several websites that will prove useful for collecting information during the third part of the course. Given the contemporary nature of the policy briefs, much of this information will emerge organically later in the course. To assess student performance in the course, there will be several methods of evaluation. To pass this course, students will be expected to attend class regularly, complete all the required readings, write a policy memorandum focusing on Essence of Decision, research and write three policy briefs or analyses and orally present the final one, and actively participate in class. Although absences are to be expected, the nature of this particular

2 course puts a real premium on attendance, so students are strongly encouraged to attend whenever possible. In terms of class participation, students are reminded that the quality of the contribution is infinitely more important than the quantity of the contribution, so monopolizing airtime is strongly discouraged. The relative weights for these evaluative components are listed below: Attendance, Class Participation, and Policy Brief #3 Presentation 20% Policy Memorandum 20% Policy Brief #1 20% Policy Brief #2 20% Policy Brief #3 20% Although more information will be provided on the exact nature of the policy briefs and analyses later in the course, the following weekly schedule provides a list of required readings and other happenings in the course. Needless-to-say, students are expected to have done the required readings before the class meets. January 30 February 6 Course Structure and Overview Perspectives on the Policy-Making Process: The Rational Actor Model Allison and Zelikow: Preface, Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2. February 13 Perspectives on the Policy-Making Process: The Organizational Behavior Model Allison and Zelikow: Chapters 3 and 4. What Went Wrong, Newsweek, February 9, Missing the Big Picture in Iraq, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, February 9 15, February 20 Perspectives on the Policy-Making Process: The Governmental Politics Model Allison and Zelikow: Chapters 5, 6, and 7. Kingdon: Chapters 1, 2, and 3. Can You Believe Anything Now?, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, January 26 February 1, The Big Winners, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, November 1 7, 2004.

3 Understanding the Federal Budget Process, a Supplement to The Week in Review, VOL. XIV, NO 12, May 18, February 27 The Cuban Missile Crisis: Screening of the film 13 Days Policy Memorandum due at the start of class. Kingdon: Chapter 4. March 5 March 12 SPRING BREAK Kingdon: Chapters 5 and 6. LBJ Goes for Broke, excerpted from Master of the Senate, by Robert Caro, in Smithsonian, June March 19 Policy Brief #1 handed out. Kingdon: Chapters 6 and 7. Declarations of Independents, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, July 12 18, Culture Clash, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, May 24 30, March 26 Kingdon: Chapters 8 and 9. Just a Little Maintenance, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, July 26-August 1, April 2 Policy Tools: Present Discounted Value and Cost Benefit Analysis Policy Brief #1 due at the beginning of class. Policy Brief #2 handed out. Quality Care, Harvard Magazine, September October 2004.

4 Cost-Benefit Analysis: Issues in Its use in Regulation, Congressional Research Service Report: ( April 9 April 16 April 23 EASTER BREAK Library Research for Policy Brief #2 No Class Scheduled Policy Tools: Game Theory Game Theory: An Introductory Sketch. ( Origin of the Species, Washington Post National Weekly Edition, August 9 15, April 30 Policy-Making in Postsecondary Education Policy Brief #2 due at the beginning of class. US Department of Education. Funding Education beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid, , ( gedubeyondhighschool_0809.pdf) Galloway, Fred and Price, Derek. The policy history of student loans in the United States, in P. Quirk & W. Cunion (Eds.), Governing America: Major Policies and Decisions of Federal, State, and Local Government. Facts on File Publishing (in press). (Handout) Terry-Long, Bridget. What is known about the Impact of Financial Aid? Implications for Policy, National Center for Postsecondary Research Working Paper, April ( naid.pdf) Galloway, Fred and Wilson, Hoke. Reframing the Student Loan Costing Debate, Educational Policy Institute, June ( The Project on Student Debt. Policy Agenda to Address Rising Student Debt, December, ( e_idx=6)

5 May 7 International Environmental Policy Policy Brief #3 handed out. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond. May 14 International Environmental Policy Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond. May 21 Policy Brief #3 Due and Oral Presentations