Heller MPP Capstone Seminar -- Course Syllabus Course Title: Course #: Heller Masters in Public Policy (MPP) Capstone Seminar HS 336a Course Description: This course provides support to second-year MPP students to complete and present their MPP Capstone Policy Briefs by discussing approaches and methods, preparing intermediate materials and submitting and receiving feedback on interim versions and conducting practice presentations of the Policy Brief. Course Time: Spring Semester 2016, Tuesdays 2:00 to 4:50 pm in room 163. Pre-requisites: Enrolled in Heller MPP Program. Goal: The goal of the seminar is to have students demonstrate the ability to define and diagnose public policy situations, collect relevant information, perform logical analysis, develop alternatives, and make compelling recommendations; and to organize and communicate information clearly to a variety of audiences through formats including verbal presentations, policy briefs, and statistical charts, graphs, and tables. Instructor: Dr. Mary Brolin Lecturer and Scientist Phone: (781) 736-5737 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours for Students: scheduled appointments, Heller/Brown Building, Rm 254

Recommended Texts: William N. Dunn, Public Policy Analysis Lee Cuba, A Short Guide to Writing About Social Science William K. Zinsser, On Writing Well Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Course Organization and Purpose This course is for candidates of the Master of Public Policy degree and provides support to complete the MPP Capstone Policy Brief by discussing writing and policy analysis approaches and methods, preparing intermediate materials and submitting and receiving feedback on interim versions and presentations of the Policy Brief. In the course of the seminar each student will present a Policy Brief outline and draft paper, which will receive feedback and criticism from the instructor, teaching assistant and participants of the seminar. Students will also receive feedback on presentation content, style and materials to prepare for the final Capstone Policy Brief presentation. Each student is to prepare a policy paper relating to a significant public policy issue or problem. This is an essential component of the degree to demonstrate competent policy analysis skills and the ability to communicate effectively. Faculty may lend assistance, as appropriate, in topic identification, on procedures and methods, and for general reaction to findings. Seminar meetings will explore issues and methods related to writing the Policy Brief. Students are expected to attend scheduled sessions, participate in discussions, make presentations, and offer critiques of oral and written papers. MPP Capstone Schedule – Spring 2016 Week/Date Materials Due Class Content Assignments Week 1 (1) Introduction of goals and (1) Write a brief ½ to 1 January 19 expectations, selecting a page abstract of your reviewer, developing an policy brief proposal action plan, touch base on (2) Prepare an action Policy Brief topics plan for completing the policy brief and (2) Developing problem presentation on time statements Week 2 Abstracts and (1) Researching and writing (1) Prepare draft of January 26 action plans due background and current problem statement; knowledge (2) Developing a working (2) Develop an outline outline (3) Use of data, statistics and graphics (4) Writing tips Week 3 Draft problem Student updtes on February 2 statements and progress (e.g., problem outlines due statements, outlines, progress, issues) 15 minutes per student, may break into 2 groups Week 4 Student updtes on Provide any written February 9 progress (e.g., problem material you want statements, outlines, reviewed the following progress, issues) 15 session minutes per student, may break into 2 groups Evaluating and presenting policy options, making recommendations for action Week 5 Individual consultations on Prepare first draft of February 23 written material to date (e.g., policy brief outline, problem statement, other) – No class held, sign up to meet with Instructor/TA Week 6 Submit 1st draft of (1) Writing executive March 1 Policy Brief (to summaries Instructor and (2) Presentation skills Reviewer)

2 MPP Capstone Schedule – Spring 2016 Week/Date Materials Due Class Content Assignments Week 7 Individual consultations on March 8 draft Policy Briefs – No class held, sign up to meet with Instructor/TA

Week 8 Discuss/Review draft March 15 presentations, 20 minutes per student, may break into 2 groups Week 9 Discuss/Review draft Prepare second draft March 22 presentations, 20 minutes of policy brief per student, may break into 2 groups Week 10 Submit 2nd draft of Review of material based on March 29 Policy Brief (to student input and common Instructor and concerns in drafts Reviewer) Week 11 Individual consultations for Prepare draft April 5 feedback on 2nd draft – No presentations class held, sign up to meet with Instructor/TA Week 12 Students present draft Prepare final policy April 12 presentations, review and brief comments from Instructor and peers. Sign up for 30-minute slot; class will run full 3 hours; students expected to attend full session, 2 groups Week 13 Students present draft Prepare final Apr 19 presentations, review and presentation comments from Instructor and peers. Sign up for 30-minute slot; class will run full 3 hours; students expected to attend full session, 2 groups April 28 – Policy Brief Submit final Policy Brief by 9 AM 9 AM (to Instructor, Dual/Joint Advisor if applicable, and Reviewer) May 3rd to Oral Presentation Student Presentations – May 6th – (Students schedule slot with will be two Instructor and reviewers): consecutive Students make formal days, TBD presentations to Instructor, Dual/Joint Advisor (if

3 MPP Capstone Schedule – Spring 2016 Week/Date Materials Due Class Content Assignments applicable), Reviewers, class, and public

4 Submission Requirements Drafts and the final policy brief should be submitted to the Instructor electronically in Latte (preferable) or in hard copy. The final policy brief should have a quality, professional look to the finished product. This class is structured to ensure progress toward course completion and relies on individual consultations and student presentations. Not meeting deadlines demonstrates inadequate planning. Please do not ask for special favors; brief extensions will be granted only on the basis of extreme, documented emergencies. Do not expect the Instructor, Teaching Assistant or Reviewer to copyedit and proof your work. Policy Brief Standards The goal of the MPP Program is to produce professionals capable of intelligent and creative analysis, communication, and action in the public policy area. The MPP Policy Brief is the capstone of this educational experience. Accordingly, it provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate the ability to define and diagnose public policy situations, collect relevant information, perform logical analysis, develop alternatives, and make viable recommendations. Additionally, the student should be able to organize the content and communicate clearly to a variety of audiences through formats including verbal presentations, policy briefs, and statistical charts, graphs, and tables. Policy Brief Layout The Policy Brief should be: from 25 to 30 double-spaced manuscript pages inclusive of graphics (plus references and any necessary attachments), professionally typed and of a quality comparable to a monograph published by government agencies, legislative committees, or professional organizations. An example of the Policy Brief organization is presented below. References should be in known, professional style (e.g., APA style) and all sources should be cited in the paper. Grades The final grade will be based on participation in class (10%), submission of timely and substantial assignments (10%), the final oral presentation of the Policy Brief (30%) and the final Policy Brief (50%). Reviewers provide feedback to the Instructor on the quality of the Policy Brief and oral presentation, but the final grade is determined by the Instructor. For students in joint or dual programs, the final grade will be determined by the Instructor in collaboration with your joint/dual program advisor. College Policies Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is central to the mission of educational excellence at Brandeis University. Each student is expected to turn in work completed independently, except when assignments specifically authorize collaborative effort. It is not acceptable to use the words or ideas of another person- be it a world-class philosopher or your classmate – without proper acknowledgement of that source. This means that you must use footnotes and quotation marks to indicate the sources of any phrases, sentences, paragraphs or ideas found in published volumes, on the Internet, or created by another student. You are responsible for learning and understanding the Heller School policy on Citation and Academic Integrity as established by the Brandeis guide for Student Rights and Responsibilities. Violations of University policies on academic integrity, described in Section 3 of Rights and Responsibilities, may result in failure in the course or on the assignment, and could end in

5 suspension from the University. If you are in doubt about the completion of any assignment in this course, you must ask for clarification. Accommodation: If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please let me know. If you have any religious observances that will conflict with class attendance or assignment-dates please let me know at the start of the semester to arrange modifications.

Professionalism Policies: Please respect the following policies. Cell phones: Please turn off all cell phones and beepers before coming to class. If you are experiencing an emergency and need to be reachable, please let me know before class. Laptops: Please don’t have them out during class except for notetaking or presentations. Wireless network: No engagement in netsurfing, email, Facebook, tweeting, or other distractions for yourself or fellow students should occur during class time. If this does occur I would ask all students to take responsibility to ask the individual to close the applications or bring it to my attention. Please see the Heller handbook for clarification of this policy. http://heller.brandeis.edu/students/academics/phd/pdfs/2013_PhD%20_Policies_and %20_Procedures.pdf

Attendance is Required: If you are going to miss one class, or are going to be late or need to leave early, please let me know ahead of time. We only meet once each week and your involvement is important. Please arrive and be prepared to begin on time.

School Cancellations: If snowy or icy driving conditions cause the postponement or cancellation of classes, announcements will be made on local radio stations. Students may also call the University directly to hear a recorded message concerning any inclement weather closings. Students are urged to exercise their own judgment if road conditions in their localities are hazardous.

6 Example of MPP Policy Brief Organization  Title Page  Table of Contents  List of Tables (if needed)  List of Figures (if needed)  Executive Summary (briefly describes the problem, the methods used in the analysis, alternatives considered, and the recommended action)

I. Problem Statement (about 2 pages)  Concise statement of the problem or question being investigated;  Brief discussion of issues surrounding the problem and/or proposed actions  Explanation of why the problem or question is significant for public policy.

II. Background and Overview of Current Knowledge (about 6 pages)  Background . The nature of the problem should be elaborated. How did the problem evolve? How has it changed over time? . What is the current status of the problem? . Specify the context in which the problem occurs and its timeliness for public policy.

 Existing policy related to the topic . Assess the current policy environment . Describe the most relevant legislative, judicial, and regulatory policies . Provide examples of relevant successful and unsuccessful policies . Discuss ambiguities, conflicts, and problems related to existing policies

 Targeted Assessment of the Policy-Relevant Literature . Summarize the policy-relevant literature. Include academic research and major reports of government agencies and/or policy organizations. . Describe how the existing literature relates to the policy under discussion. What guidance does the literature provide? What issues remain that are pertinent to the problem under analysis?

 Assessment of the Political Environment . Describe the policy’s chances of success in terms of its political support. . Describe major groups that would oppose the proposed policy (e.g., who they are, why they would oppose the policy). Think broadly about who the proposed policy would affect.

III. Key Issues (about 4 pages)  Underlying assumptions  Effects on and roles of key stakeholders  Conflicts among key values  Implications of issues

IV. Relevant Policy Options (about 13 pages) Present the policy options that are to be evaluated (you must present more than one policy option). Ensure that the options are presented in a logical, clear, and well-written manner. They should directly address the problem posed in the title of the paper. Bring in background and current knowledge presented in Section II.

V. Recommendation for Action (about 2 pages) Public officials must often make decisions based upon limited information; therefore, you must develop a carefully fashioned recommendation, even though the findings may be somewhat 7