For most of you, this is your first and perhaps your only course in public policy or policy studies. We all have vague ideas as to what is meant by "policy." It's a word we hear and use often. For example, it is Clemson University policy that no tobacco products are to be used in class and that final exams are to be given only during finals week. These types of administrative policies are the type we most often encounter in our daily lives, but at their core are the larger questions of protection of public health, or effective use of public funds or timely management of agency resources. In this course we will focus on the larger questions around which policies are framed. These larger questions include issues of private and public good, social justice, equal access to public resources and individual rights verses societal norms. Administrative type policy actions are covered elsewhere in your curriculum.
For the Graduate students -- we will be combining aspects of the 820 and 320 courses that deal with shaping advocacy groups. The graduate students will be exposed to group organization for the purpose of influencing decisions and shaping opinion. Each graduate student will also have the opportunity to develop an advocacy position for a policy-related case study and an opposition position for a case study. These case studies will be presented to the undergraduates for discussion and outcome deliberation.
During the semester you will be asked to analyze policies from a variety of perspectives, because, at its heart, policy analysis involves understanding conflicting values.
Course Overview:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to policy development and analysis, and relate that information to the field of parks, recreation & tourism management.
The content of the course is designed to provide students with the National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) standards for accreditation dealing with the following areas:
- Understanding of power structures and politics
- Public policy and decision making
- Government structures, functions and responsibilities.
The Approach for this Course:
The approach for this course is provided in two parts. First, students will review the basics -- an overview of the development of policy, a framework for evaluating policy associated with the broad field of parks, recreation and tourism management, and strategies and approaches for implementing desired actions. Second, students will review a range of case studies covering contemporary issues. The case studies will be followed by a student led discussion in order to assess the students knowledge of the specific issues associated with case study materials.
Since the realm of public policy associated with the field of parks, recreation and tourism covers topics as diverse as urban development, housing, social welfare, public education, natural resources -- our focus will be on our environment as a living space. We will branch beyond the traditional arena of park reserves and preservation and look at the relationship of people to the places they live, work, play and their access to common goods such as air and water.
Most of our readings and all study questions will be available only over the course web site and e-mail exchange. In this information age it is increasingly important that electronic communication skills be developed to rapidly track needed information and data upon which sound management decisions can be made. Students are expected to use Clemson facilities or personal computers during non-class time to develop class assignments.
Texts:
There is no required text. Instead we have gathered foundation policy documents and selected case studies for the class. These materials will be on the class web site and are required reading. The easiest way to access the reading is through the interactive course schedule. All readings are hyper-linked through the PRTM 320 - 820 schedule document on the Strom Thurmond Institute Web site (www.strom.clemson.edu). Additional reading related to case studies may be added to the schedule throughout the semester.
Assignments:
Participation:
The nature of policy is the exchange of ideas and the tradition of debate. Students who actively contribute to the discussion with pertinent points from the reading and news of the day will be awarded up to 10% of their grade. Yes, this is a subjective measure and it does reward those most comfortable with studied contribution.
Issue/Policy Essays:
From a list of contemporary policy issues, each student will select a topic and develop an analysis of the policies associated with that topic.
Case Study:
All students will be required to participate in a case study. The case study will involve the selection of a topic, framing the issues associated with the topic development of a case for a specific action regarding the topic and presenting the case to the class for discussion. The presentation will be in the form of a Power Point presentation with student led discussions. The Power Point and associated materials for the Case must be available one week prior to the class presentation and in a form sufficient for inclusion on the class web site. This will allow class members to review materials prior to the presentation. (See Case Study #1 for an example)
Mid-Term and Final Examinations:
The Mid-Term Examination will be given at the end of the introduction to the fundamentals of policy development. The Final Examination will be a comprehensive examination covering all materials presented in class and contained in the assigned readings. Approximately 50% of the test will come from study questions, 50% will be from the instructor's choosing.
By University Policy - the examination will be given during
the final examination period in the assigned time period.
Grading PRTM 320:
| Participation: | 10% |
| Issue/Policy Essays: | 10% |
Case Study Paper & Presentation:
(Will be graded on participation, as well as
presentation of materials.) | 20% |
| Mid-Term Exam: | 30% |
| Final Exam: | 30% |
Grading PRTM 820: To be discussed
| Issue/Policy Essays: | 20% |
| Case studies: | 40% |
| Mid-Term Exam: | 25% |
| Final Exam: | 15% |
Grading System:
| A = 90 | - | 100 |
| B = 80 | - | 89 |
| C = 70 | - | 79 |
| D = 60 | - | 69 |
| F = Below 60 |
Assorted University Policies
Again, by university policy -- no food, drinks or use of tobacco products will be allowed in the classroom.
Academic Integrity Policy
"As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson's vision of this institution as a 'high seminary of learning.' Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, without which we can not earn the trust and respect of others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form."
Attendance Policy
College work proceeds at such a pace that regular attendance is necessary for each student to obtain maximum benefits from instruction. Regular and punctual attendance at all class and laboratory sessions is a student obligation, and each student is responsible for all the work, including test and written work, in all class and laboratory sessions.
There is no attendance requirement for this class. You have paid for the class, whether you choose to come and participate is your business. Ten percent of your grade, however, is based upon participation.
Some students are on assistantships and fellowships overseen by Clemson University. The acceptance of such support may require participation in events both on and off campus. Additionally, students occasionally are required to miss class because of participation in co-curricular activities, such as class trips, that the faculty members note on their syllabi. The student must discuss these activities with the faculty members whose classes will be missed well in advance of their occurrences. The documentable absences are necessary, and the instructor will make arrangements for those students to make up graded work that takes place during those necessary absences. The time, location, and nature of the make-up work will be at the discretion of the instructor. If required, students will provide documentation to instructors.
Exams and Grading
Final Examinations / Final Papers: The standing of a student in his/her work at the end of a semester is based upon case study, issue/policy essays, daily class work, mid-term and final examinations.
Posting of Grades: The United States Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits the public distribution of grades or graded work. This is commonly understood to include posting grades by student names, initials, or student social security number. It also is understood to include placing of graded material in a public place where students go through the material to find their own graded work.
Students are strongly urged to contact us by e-mail with questions, requests for appointments and must send an e-mail message for prior notification of absences, if the absence involves a required class assignment.
