Public Affairs 2110: Introduction to Public Affairs

Students understand the systematic study of human behavior and cognition; the structure of human societies, cultures, and institutions; and the processes by which individuals, groups, and societies interact, communicate, and use human, natural, and economic resources.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Human, Natural, and Economic Resources

1. Students understand the theories and methods of social scientific inquiry as they apply to the study of the use and distribution of human, natural, and economic resources and decisions and policies concerning such resources.
2. Students understand the political, economic, and social trade-offs reflected in individual decisions and societal policymaking and enforcement and their similarities and differences across contexts.
3. Students comprehend and assess the physical, social, economic, and political sustainability of individual and societal decisions with respect to resource use.

• Successful students will critically analyze and apply theoretical and empirical approaches within the social and behavioral sciences, including modern principles, theories, methods, and modes of inquiry.
• Successful students will recognize the implications of social and behavioral scientific findings and their potential impacts.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain basic facts, principles, theories, and methods of social and behavioral science.
2. Explain and evaluate differences, similarities, and disparities among institutions, organizations, cultures, societies, and/or individuals using social and behavioral science.
3. Analyze how political, economic, individual, or social factors and values impact social structures, policies, and/or decisions.
4. Evaluate social and ethical implications of social scientific and behavioral research.
5. Critically evaluate and responsibly use information from the social and behavioral sciences.

Course Learning Objectives

Understand the process by which U.S. public policy is developed and implemented;

• Be familiar with techniques for providing evidence-based, rational advice to public-sector decision-makers; evaluating the impact of public policies on societal outcomes; and managing public and non-profit organizations;
• Be able to apply public affairs concepts and frameworks to real-world public challenges;
• Understand the challenges of operating in a public sector environment as compared to the conduct of work in private organizations.

Degree Learning Goals and Objectives

The course contributes to all Glenn College learning goals and objectives related to foundational knowledge in public affairs; competencies in management, leadership, and policy analysis; and developing an appreciation for multiple perspectives in public affairs. In particular, the course focuses on the following degree learning goals and objectives at a beginner level:

• Examine governmental, financial, economic, legal, and political institutions, and systems that constitute the public and nonprofit sectors.
• Describe and explain public sector policy making and administrative processes.
• Recognize and interpret human behavior at individual, group, organizational, and societal levels (with attention for issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion) in the context of the public and nonprofit sectors.
• Define and address problems in the public and/or nonprofit sectors using analytical tools.
• Communicate effectively via written, oral, and electronic methods in public and/or nonprofit sectors.

The two core components of public affairs - policy analysis and management - deal with informing and implementing societal decisions about how to allocate scarce societal resources. The class introduces students to theories and methods of social scientific inquiry used to inform this societal decision-making, which entails identifying political, economic, and social trade-offs across policy options and assessing the effectiveness of public policies and programs. These topics are covered throughout the entire class as students learn about policymaking and administrative processes. That is, Parts I and II of the course help you understand the extent to which the functioning of government is embedded in how it is structured and how it developed. Thus, the most explicit focus on these GE learning outcomes occurs when we cover policy analysis in Part III of the class. The third exam, which focuses on policy analysis, will be used to assess student understanding of the three GE learning outcomes.

The lectures in this course will be in-class. Assigned readings can be found in CarmenCanvas.

Readings: For each week, there will be required readings that are relevant for the course. These readings are either from the required textbook or available for download from CarmenCanvas. Students are expected to read the required readings before coming to class.

Videos: In some of the weeks, students may be required to watch videos. These videos serve as a basis for in-class discussions.

Class Discussion: After reading the class material, watching the videos, or reading the cases, students are expected during week to write a reflection paper in which they discuss something that happened in the past week and that they can relate to some of the course material. 

Each week’s detailed course contents are available in CarmenCanvas (click “Modules” for each week’s materials).

Evolving Class: As we progress as a class, there may be the need at add additional (re)sources to better assist with learning, addressing current events, and/or fulfill the interests of our group. Please make sure you are attending class regularly and following along within CarmenCanvas.

We are All Human! Should you find mistakes and/or inconsistencies in scheduling, in description of assignments, etc., please do not hesitate to point these out to and I will gladly make the necessary correction(s). We are all human and are fallible.

(60% of class grade)

There will be three in-class, accumulative exams on the content covered in lecture. The exams will include a random sample of the concepts and topics discussed every week and highlighted in class. I advise you to keep notes during lecture (and to what is in the power point slides; these PP slides are your study guide) and discussion times in class, because those will help you preparing for the exam. I do not give make-up exams.

• Exam #1 – Part I (20% of grade)
• Exam #2 – Part II (20% of grade)
• Exam #3 – Part III / Final (20% of grade)

Weekly reflection based on prescribed reading and lecture (20% of grade).

For 10 weeks you are to write a one-page paper, double-spaced, 1” margins, Times New Roman, 12 point font, reflecting upon something that has happened during the week, and applying concepts and/or theories you have read/heard about in class. You can submit these in the CarmenCanvas dropbox on Wednesday. Some of these will serve as the basis for class discussion of about 30-45 minutes on the following class. These class discussions are intended to help develop your critical thinking and discussion skills. Late papers are not accepted. Each week the instructor will invite five to seven students to briefly present their reflection before class (unless the student has explicitly stated at the end of the paper that they do not want to discuss it before class). The objective is that all students will be invited to present their through at least once in the semester.

Public affairs plan (10% of grade)

You must submit a career plan for addressing the public problem of greatest concern to you. Specifically, you must detail what kind of public affairs career you would pursue to help address that problem, including what degree(s) you would get, what coursework you would take, and what professional jobs you would pursue to be part of the solution. The essay should be no more than two double-spaced pages using 1” margins and 12 point font (i.e., about 500 words).

(10% of the grade)

Your attendance grade is a straightforward calculation of the number of classes you did not attend. Attendance is only a small portion of student grades, but performance on graded assignments and exams typically depends on the extent to which students have absorbed material covered in class. Each unexcused absence will cost 1 point; 10 points is a full letter grade.