Public Affairs 4020: Contemporary Issues in Governance

Each student will gain invaluable exposure to a range of issues that are among the most salient to the current operating environment in federal government. Students will gain the opportunity to study in an inter-disciplinary environment and become a more subtle and sophisticated thinker and citizen. Upon completion of the course, students should understand:

• How public policy is advanced and how public managers operate in complex governing environments.
• How to be thoughtful analysts of the federal government.

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 objectives at an advanced level:

• Students can integrate and apply knowledge gained in their area of specialization in public affairs (e.g. community organization).
• Students understand the role of citizenship and ethical public service in the democratic process.
• Students can define and address problems in the public and/or nonprofit sectors using analytical tools.
• Students can communicate effectively via written, oral, and electronic methods in public and/or nonprofit sectors.
• Students have an appreciation for the diversity and interdisciplinary nature of public affairs.
• Students have an appreciation for individual and group differences in perspectives, backgrounds, interests, and needs.

Reading and Video Notes (Form A1 – A13): 20% of course grade

Issue Papers (Form B1 – B4): 20% of course grade

Video and Discussion Posts: 15% of course grade

In-Person Meetings (CM1 – CM13): 30% of course grade

Cerego Set (CG1 – CG4): 15% of course grade

Readings
The topics and number of pages is focused to make best use of students’ time in preparing for the weekly topics.

Class Meetings (CM)
This course will be conducted according to the professional standards of the workplace. Students are expected to attend class and be on time, read in advance of the class session, and actively participate in the course discussion. Cell phones, computers and other electronic devices should only be used when appropriate. Students are also asked to be respectful of their colleagues during class discussion.

Forms A and B
Forms are frameworks for capturing the essence of each assignment. Forms clarify the amount of work needed and help improve preparation and retention, making meetings more productive and therefore more useful for students in the long term. Writing assignments should be your own original work and use forms to enshrine course material, including Form A covering video and reading notes ahead of class and Form B serving as a one-page issue paper.  

Video and Discussion Posts
Students will be required to complete video and written discussions posts on a recurring basis, which will be specified in the weekly modules. Each assignment may differ in format and will clearly outline how students are supposed to respond to a prompt. An example discussion post is for students to watch a relevant video and add a 100 - 200 word response to the instructor’s prompt.

Cerego Sets (Cg)
Cerego is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted information retention improvement tool helping to optimize retention. Cerego is an essential component of the course and should be engaged consistently from the day a set is launched to the target completion day as cramming defeats long-term retention.