PUP 3002; Section 143H – Spring 2016
Current Controversies in Public Policy
Instructor: Lia Merivaki |
Office: 006 Anderson Hall
Email: merivali@ufl.edu M-W-F: Period 3 (9:35-10:25am); Room: LIT 0113 Office Hours: F 10:45am- 12:30pm
|
Course Description
Public Policy reflects a governmental commitment to a common goal or purpose.However intuitive, public policy involves several steps in the policy process, from policy development and analysis, to implementation and, finally, evaluation. Making public policy is a complex task, particularly in the context of American Federalism, where there exist controversies between the states and the federal government over many policy areas. The last years have marked significant developments over controversial policies, from healthcare to gay marriage, while many policies are still hotly debated (minimum wage, healthcare, election reform, among others). Despite the controversial nature of many issues in the American political life, the governments at the state and federal levels cannot simply “change” policy, but rather follow a gradual process which often involves political heat, ongoing public support or discontent, as well as media and elite influence.
Course Objectives
This course provides students the framework to understand the formation, adoption, budgeting, implementation and evaluation of public policy. Through this framework, students will be able to critically assess and engage in the complexity of current controversial policy issues, taking into consideration the political and institutional context of government at the state and federal levels.
The goal of this course is for students to develop a grounded view of what “public policy” entails, why it is a complex concept, and how the government responds to current controversies in public policy. By the end of this course, students are expected to be able to apply this knowledge to a “current controversy” and thoroughly demonstrate what the federal or state government(s) “choose to do or not to do” about it.
Course Materials
Required Text
Clarke E. Cochran; Lawrence C. Mayer; T.R. Carr; N. Joseph Cayer; Mark McKenzie; Laure Peck. 2016. American Public Policy: An Introduction, 11th Edition; Custom CengageBrain EBook.
Texts On Reserve
- Election Administration in the United States: The State of Reform after Bush v. Gore; EBook
Supplementary Materials
Supplementary materials (book chapters, scholarly articles and reports, news articles) will be available online and on Canvas.
Grade Weights
Class Participation 15%
Written Assignments 40% (10% each)
Class Debates (15%)
Final Exam (30%)