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Course Prefix & Number: PAD3034

Course Title: Public Policy

Course Format: On-line

Credit Hours: 3.0 Credit Hours

Course Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday

9:30-10:45am
Class room SB 116

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Faculty: Professor Mayboll Carrasco

Phone: 82982004
Email: mayboll.carrasco@keiseruniversity.edu
maybollcarrasco8@gmail.com

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Fridays

9:00-11:00am and 3:00-4:00p,

Tuesday and Thursday

8:30-9:30am

Course Description: The political-administrative dimensions of government

policy making at the federal, state, and local levels in
addition to the problems of political interests, values, and
objectives in public administration.

Program Mission: The Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science will

explore government policy, processes, political
campaigning, political theory, legal studies, and
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 international relations. The degree will have a strong liberal
arts focus and research focus designed to prepare students
for graduate level training in a variety of disciplines along
with entry-level work in a host of disparate fields. This is a
broad-spectrum program that will introduce students to the
general study of the field of political science, and is suited
for students with an interest in public policy, foreign
affairs, issues in immigration and the environment as well
as those seeking an academic foundation for work in
political campaigns. 

Program Goal(s):

The following program goals are designed to align with the Keiser University mission and goals:

 Develop an understanding of the differences between various government and economic

systems.

 Develop an understanding of the framework needed to apply political, economic, social,

historical, and philosophical underpinnings to the study of political science.

 Develop skills in writing, research, and analysis.

 Acquire an understanding of the stressors that population, natural resources, and

environmental issues have on political frameworks

 Acquire an understanding of the political theories needed to analyze policy and political
actions.

Course Objectives/Outcomes:
Upon Completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the characteristics of public policy and its uses

2. Identify policy-makers and those affected by policy
3. Explain the stages in the policy process
4. Analyze budgeting in relation to public policy choices
5. Formulate conclusions on the impact of policy and on the
evolution of public policy in America

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 Grading and Evaluation Methods:

Evaluation Percent of Total Grade Due Date

Policy Memo 15% Week 9
Term Paper 20% Week 16
4 BB Discussion (each worth 20% Monthly
5%)
Midterm Exam 30% Week 5
Presentation of term paper 10% Week 15-16
Post Test 5% Finals Week
Total Percentage: 100%
Grading Scale

Letter Grade Numeric Grade

A 90.00-100.00%
B 80.00-89.99%
C 70.00-79.99%
D 65.00-69.99%
F Up to 64.99%

Required Textbook: Anderson, J.E. Public Policymaking, 8th edition. Cengage

Learning. ISBN: 978-1-285-73528-3

Topical Outline/Course Assignments/Calendar:

Week 1-3
Learning Objectives: 1 & 2
Assigned Reading: Chapters 1 & 2
Suggested Learning Activities: Class discussion, assignment
Evaluation: Pre-test and BB discussion

Week 4-7
Learning Objectives: 2 & 3
Assigned Reading: Chapters 3 & 4
Suggested Learning Activities: Class discussion, assignment
Evaluation: BB Discussion and Midterm

Week 8-12
Learning Objectives: 4
Assigned Reading: Chapters 5 & 6
Suggested Learning Activities: Class discussion,
Evaluation: Discussion

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Week 13-16
Learning Objectives: 5
Assigned Reading: Chapters 7 & 8
Suggested Learning Activities: Class discussion, assignment
Evaluation: Discussion, assignment, final exam, post test (due end of week 4)

Course Work

Term paper (20%) and presentation (10%):

As a final course project (and in lieu of a final exam) each student will complete a policy memo,
a 10 page (double spaced) paper. You will be presented with a menu of choices for policies.
Each student will rank these choices and be assigned a topic via lottery (this ensures a
distribution of papers across the topics). The paper should be written as though for a particular
decision-maker in government or a nonprofit organization, with the writer assuming the role of a
staff assistant to this decision-maker. Clear, grammatically-correct, well-organized, and succinct
presentation is expected. Note that this is not a typical term paper that explains why something
happened in the past or reports what other people have said about an issue. Part of your grade for
the term paper will include a presentation on your topic.

Policy Memo (15%)

As an intermediate step towards the term paper, you will write one shorter policy memo (5
pages). All students will have the same topic for this memo.

Midterm Exam (30%)

During week 6 of the semester you will complete a midterm exam. The exam will consist of
essay questions which require short essay answers.

4 BB Discussions (5 % each)

The Blackboard assignments are designed to further encourage participation and constant
engagement with course materials. The assignments will revolve around 6 online discussion
questions posted by the instructor. In general, students will be required to (1) respond directly to
the questions posed in a timely and informed manner, and (2) engage in a focused and
constructive back-and-forth discussion with their classmates on the posted questions and on
course-related topics. You must submit your Blackboard response on the assigned due date NO
LATE SUBMISSIONS will be allowed. NO WIKIPEDIA

 FAIR WARNING! Invariably, a number of students will fail to participate in online

discussions or participate in a half-hearted manner. This is a very serious mistake and
will almost certainly result in a low, even failing grade. You are well advised to take this
requirement very seriously.

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 Course Guidelines and Policies

Academic Integrity
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic conduct, professional
honesty, and personal integrity. Plagiarism, cheating and other misconduct are serious violations
and will not be tolerated, and may result in academic penalties, including suspension or
dismissal. Students are expected to abide by the policies set forth in the University Catalog. The
University Catalog is available electronically at http://www.keiseruniversity.edu/catalog/.

Participation
Participation is a basic requirement for an effective learning community. Students’ participation
will be assessed and reflected in the discussion grade. Class participation is based on the
following criteria for the on-line classroom: active engagement in the threaded discussions and
completion of the weekly written assignments. On-line students should be actively participating
at least three days per week; it is good practice to contribute to the classroom every two to three
days.

Missed Tests/Quizzes
Makeup exams will be allowed only with pre-approval of the instructor or with an acceptable,
documented reason. Acceptable reasons for makeup exams include severe illness, family
emergency or other unavoidable events.

Civility/Professionalism
This class is a community of learners, which means we will depend upon each other for support
and information. In order to learn, we must be open to the views of people different than
ourselves. Please honor the uniqueness of your classmates and appreciate the opportunity we
have to learn from one another. Please respect each other’s’ opinions and refrain from personal
attacks or demeaning comments of any kind.
It is of the utmost importance to communicate with courtesy and professionalism. Professional
courtesy includes respecting other’s opinions, being courteous and respectful, and working
together in the spirit of cooperation.

Disability Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), students who require reasonable
accommodations due to a disability to properly execute coursework must complete the
application process and receive approval from the review committee. The first step is to consult
with the Campus President or Dean of Academic Affairs.

Writing with style and clarity

Many students make the mistake of thinking that the content of their paper is all that
matters. You may have some great ideas in your paper but if you cannot effectively
communicate them, you will not receive a very good mark. Keep the following in mind
when writing your paper:
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Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling
***You must make certain that your paper is free from grammar, punctuation, and spelling
mistakes. I will take off points if you have too many grammar, punctuation, and spelling
mistakes on your paper***. Mechanical errors are usually the main reason for lack of clarity in
essays, so be sure to thoroughly proof read your paper before handing it in. For help with
common errors in grammar, punctuation, and usage consult the following websites:
http://www.sfu.ca/~gmccarro/Grammar/Grammar.html
http://ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/

Academic Honesty Policy (Keiser University Catalog, 2012-2013)

The University can best function and accomplish its mission in an atmosphere of high
ethical standards. As such, the University expects students to observe all accepted
principles of academic honesty. Academic honesty in the advancement of knowledge
requires that students respect the integrity of one another’s work and recognize the
importance of acknowledging and safeguarding the validity of intellectual property.
Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in all academic work
attempted while enrolled at the University. Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of
the trust upon which an academic community depends. There are different forms of
academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, the following:

Acquiring or Providing Information Dishonestly (Keiser University Catalog, (2012-2013)

Using unauthorized notes or other study aids during an examination; using unauthorized
technology during an examination; improper storage of prohibited notes, course materials
and study aids during an exam such that they are accessible or possible to view; looking
at other students' work during an exam or in an assignment where collaboration is not
allowed; attempting to communicate with other students in order to get help during an
exam or in an assignment where collaboration is not allowed; obtaining an examination
prior to its administration; altering graded work and submitting it for re-grading; allowing
another person to do one's work and submitting it as one's own; or undertaking any
activity intended to obtain an unfair advantage over other students.

Plagiarism (Keiser University Catalog, 2012-2013)

Plagiarism is the deliberate or unintentional use of another’s words or ideas without
proper citation for which the student claims authorship. It is a policy of Keiser University
that students assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for
credit and in any other work designated by an instructor of a course. Students may not
submit the same work completed for one course in any other course, earning credit for the
same work each time. Plagiarism, because it is a form of theft and dishonesty that
interferes with the goals of education, must carry severe penalties. The penalties are as
follows:

Partially plagiarized assignments

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 The first occurrence of a student turning in an assignment containing plagiarized material
results in an automatic ―F for that assignment.

The second occurrence of a student turning in an assignment containing plagiarized

material results in an automatic ―F for the course.

The third occurrence of a student turning in an assignment containing plagiarized

material results in an automatic dismissal from the University.

Entirely plagiarized assignments

The first occurrence of a student turning in an entire plagiarized assignment results in an
automatic ―F for the course.

The second occurrence of a student turning in an entire plagiarized assignment results in

an automatic dismissal from the University.

Students who have been dismissed may reapply to Keiser University after remaining out
of school for one full semester. Keiser University believes strongly that each student,
against whom the University is forced to take action, has a right to procedural due
process where the student has notice and an opportunity to be heard. If the administration
has to take disciplinary measures against a student or other action related to the student,
the student may appeal the decision to the Grievance Committee. The procedures for the
grievance are found in the Keiser University catalog.

On written papers for which the student employs information gathered from books,
articles, electronic, or oral sources, each direct quotation, as well as ideas and facts that
are not generally known to the public at large, or the form, structure, or style of a
secondary source must be attributed to its author by means of the appropriate citation
procedure. Only widely known facts and first-hand thoughts and observations original to
the student do not require citations. Citations may be made in footnotes or within the
body of the text. Plagiarism also consists of passing off as one's own, segments or the
total of another's work.
At Keiser University, references are cited in accordance with the American Psychological
Association (APA) approved format. Guidelines for the appropriate use of this format for
citing references are included in the appendices of this Handbook and assignments may
be used by the University to assist in future education by students.

QUICK GUIDE TO WRITING SHORT ESSAYS AND EXAMINATIONS

A) Structure. A good essay is well structured. At a minimum, every essay should have
an opening paragraph, introducing the idea and basic argument. Subsequent
paragraphs should be devoted to detailing the idea and supporting your argument with
information from the course materials – this serves to demonstrate that you both
understand the topic which you are discussing, and can make a reasoned case for why
your position is valid or true. Once you have completed your argument, it is always a
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 good idea to recap your ideas and argument, revisiting them to again remind the
reader of the original summary statement from the start of the essay.
B) Examination and Analysis. The body of your paper should focus on the examination
and analysis of the essay question. Identify the authors you are discussing and
provide a fair assessment of their contribution to the debate. Support your argument
with textual evidence drawn from our required readings and insights gleaned from
class discussions. Be sure to draw your own conclusions to form a compelling
answer to the essay.
C) Outlines, Rough Drafts and Revisions. Refer to your class notes and lecture outlines
as you begin to construct an outline for your essay. Once you have a working outline
begin to compose a rough draft by building your argument on an analysis of the texts
we have read and examined. Revise your draft by editing for content and clarity. The
time you take to carefully revise your essay will improve your writing skills, enhance
your understanding of the material, and make your argument stronger.

I want every student to succeed in this course to the best of their ability. Please attend my office
hours, phone, or email if you have any questions about the course readings or the essay
examinations. We’re going to have a great semester!

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