Fall 2003 Syllabus

Tuesdays, 6- 10 p.m.

Room: Lab 1, Room 1047

Seminar rooms: Lab I 1051 & Lab I 1059

Faculty Email Phone Office Office hours

Gail Johnson johnsong@evergreen.edu 867-6739 Lab 1, 2005 T/W 3-5p.m.

Gail's home page: http://academic.evergreen.edu/j/johnsong/index.htm

Nita Rinehart rinehan@evergreen.edu 867-6129 Lab 1, 3004 Tues., 4-6 p.m.

Nita's home page http://academic.evergreen.edu/r/rinehan/home.htm

This is the first quarter of a yearlong core program that explores the meaning and processes of public service, its complex environment, civic engagement, and the role of public administrators and the non-profit sector in achieving social justice. This quarter we will focus on the big picture, including an overview of the U.S. political system, the policy-making process, the relationship between politics and the economy, and the enduring issues of public administration. This quarter will also focus on writing, critical thinking and reflective practice.

Our learning objectives include:

1. Understanding the workings of the U.S. federal and state governments and the complex, relationships among the different branches and levels of government, citizens, interest groups, and the media,
2. Understanding the enduring issues of public administration,
3. Understanding the policy making process,
4. Understanding the relationship between policy decisions and the U.S. economy, and
5. Enhancing critical thinking, reflective practice and writing skills.

The Federalist Papers: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/const/fed/fedpapers.html

The U.S. Constitution: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/const/const.html

The Bill of Rights: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/const/bor.html

The Declaration of Independence: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/const/declar.html

Constitution of the Iroquois Nations: http://www.constitution.org/cons/iroquois.htm

1. Constitutional Issue. Pick one of the recent (2003) Supreme Court cases (affirmative action, gay rights, etc.). Write a 2-3 page paper (typed, double-spaced) in which you describe the issue and discuss the constitutional principles involved. Due: 10/7.
2. Upfront and Personal: The goal of this assignment is for you to observe decision-makers in action. Please attend in person at least 2 hours of any public hearing. You need to attend in person rather than watch a t.v. report of the meeting. You need to observe the entire hearing room including the audience. If you rely on tvw you are observing from and limited by someone else's viewpoint. You may choose a state legislative hearing, an agency rule-making hearing, a local government hearing--city, county or school board. If you routinely attend hearings in your work, please choose a public hearing that you do not normally attend.

To receive automatic notice of Washington State Legislative hearings, log on to www.leg.wa.gov. Click on Email lists and sign up for all the committees that are of interest to you.

Please review the questions for the assignment at the end of the syllabus. You will not write a paper but you must be prepared to share your observations on the last night of class. You will have 3 minutes to present your observations. Due: 12/9.

3. Making Public Policy. Choose a narrow public policy or law that interests you (salmon protection, teen pregnancy, sexual violence, alternative energy, school vouchers, tobacco subsidies, etc. etc. etc.). Choose wisely because you will work with this policy throughout the year. Write a paper of 6-8 pages, double-spaced. You will also present your issue in a short (3 minute) presentation to the class. Due: 11/18.

This paper will examine the policy and you should:

• Describe the law associated with this policy, including: the legislative intent, its sponsors, legislative history, who testified at the hearings before what committees, etc.
• Identify what agency or agencies are responsible for administering the law
• Identify which level of government is responsible for program delivery (federal, state, local, tribal, or third party sector—or some combination).
• Locate stories or editorials in popular press related to this issue and summarize the major perspectives and arguments.
• Discuss relevant readings from this course that help to understand this policy.
• Important Note: Provide a one-paragraph description of the policy/law that you will examine over the course of this first year: Due: 10/21.

1. Journal: You will maintain a journal throughout the year in a notebook. Please bring the notebook to each class session because some writing will be done in class. Turn in journal along with your reflective paper (see below) at the end of the quarter. Identify 3 entries (use post-its or paperclips) that you want to share with the faculty. Due: 12/9
2. Reflective paper. This paper should summarize your experiences in this first course in the MPA program. You should consider what you have learned from the readings and course discussions, what you have learned from working with others, and what you have learned about yourself. Your reflection should describe your experience in the study circle in terms of what you did, what your learned and how it felt to work in this type of non-hierarchical, non-authoritarian structure. This paper should also discuss how this information can be applied in your work or in your role as a citizen. Lastly, this paper should identify your learning goals for the rest of this year and your strategies for reaching your goals. Due: 12/9
3. Participation and Engagement. Active participation is expected. In-class writing, exercises, role-plays, study circles, and/or seminar discussions will provide you with a variety of opportunities to actively engage in learning. Be prepared for each class session and participate.

Questions to consider in your observation:

1. What is the authority of the body holding the hearing?

2. Who in the hearing is wielding power?

3. What is the stated purpose of this hearing?

4. Are there other purposes evident from the proceedings?

5. Are there decisions being made based on this hearing?

6. Are there prior decisions that reveal themselves in this hearing?

7. What is the attitude of the decision-makers toward the public participants?

8. What is the nature of the public participation in this hearing?

9. Are the persons giving testimony speaking on behalf of groups?

10. What is the attitude of the public participants to the decision-makers?

On the last night of class, December 9, 2003 everyone will share a brief summary of their hearing experiences. Each person will have 3 minutes for his or her class presentation. You should identify the public body you observed, the time and location of the meeting, and why you chose this set of decision-makers.