Public Policy (PUBP)

Related Catalog Entry: The Institute of Public Policy

Related Mason Website: The Institute of Public Policy (http://www.gmu.edu/departments/tipp/)

550 Topics in Public Policy (1-3:3:0). Selected topics in public policy not covered in fixed-content public policy courses.

601 Theory and Practice of Regional Economic Development (3:3:0). Focuses on traditional theories of economic development (economic base, growth pole, infrastructure investment, location theory, central place theory) as well as nontraditional perspectives, emphasizing application of theory to practice through case studies.

602 Regional Economic Development and Technology (3:3:0). Introduces to the role of technology in economic development policy and practice. Examination of the processes of technological development and change in enterprises and collaboration among industry, government, and academic institutions through case studies.

650 Peace Operations I (3:3:0). The first course of a two-semester sequence on international peace operations. Focuses on the emerging theory of peace operations, including peace making activities of the United Nations and other diplomatic initiatives; peace building activities of international organizations and nongovernmental organizations; and peace support provided by international militaries.

651 Peace Operations II (3:3:0). The second course of a two-semester sequence on international peace operations. Focuses on the application of the emerging theory of peace operations, including peace making activities of the United Nations and other diplomatic initiatives; peace building activities of international organizations and nongovernmental organizations; and peace support provided by international militaries. Several guest lectures from past and present peace operations provide practical information for future staff of peace operations.

701 Analysis for Public Decision Making (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Proficiency in advanced statistical and quantitative methodology. Introduces students to analytical models and analysis that can be applied to support decisions. The primary emphasis is to understand the techniques of operations research/management science, cost benefits and cost effectiveness for public decision making. The mathematical details of the algorithms used to solve the models are not emphasized except as they contribute to understanding the reliability and validity of these methodologies. Through case studies and computer solutions, students should gain an appreciation of when, where, and how to use the models. Finally, students demonstrate their understanding of these techniques by applying them to a term research project on a government program or public policy issue.

702 Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis and Research (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Proficiency in advanced statistical and quantitative methodology. Covers classical regression methods and their application to public policy analysis. Simple and multiple regression, analysis of variance, time series, and simultaneous equation structural models. The problems associated with applications include specification error, multicollinearity, qualitative variables, heteroskedasticity, serial correlation, and structural identification. The course allows students to develop analysis skills by discussing sample empirical studies and models using advance statistical computer software. Finally, students apply these methods to a term research project on data associated with government programs or public policy.

703 Multivariate Data Analysis in Public Policy (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Proficiency in advanced statistical and quantitative methodology. Explores multivariate techniques of contingency table analysis, reliability and validity assessment, factor analysis and scaling, multivariate regression and analysis, and the analysis of variance and covariance. Emphasis is on applying multivariate techniques to real social science databases using sophisticated statistical packages.

704 Managerial Economics and Policy Analysis (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Proficiency in advanced statistical and quantitative methodology. Focuses on the application of microeconomics theory in analyzing public policy issues. The course is intended to provide the student with the capability to understand economic literature and theories.

705 Rational Choice and Uncertainty: Modeling Judgment (3:3:0). Introduces the basics of decision analysis. Examination of quantitative modeling of judgment to aid evaluation of perplexing or controversial options involving conflicting objectives or uncertain outcomes. The course includes assessing uncertainty about events and quantities, directly and indirectly; changing uncertainty in the light of new evidence; gathering information before making a decision; and combining alternative ways of making the same judgment. Application to public policy, personal, legal, medical, and other decisions.

706 Environmental Decisions: Modeling Rational Judgment (3:3:0). Prerequisite: PUBP 705. Discusses decision aids for environmental or other policy makers to make and defend decisions soundly and economically. Integrates public policy and environmental science with decision analysis; i.e., prescriptive models that quantify the knowledge and values a person or institution does (or should) bring to bear on a decision. Simple aids, based on decision theory, are applied to real consulting cases.

710 Topics in Public Management and Policy (1-3:3:0). Taught workshop style. Most class meetings involve an initial presentation by the professors or visiting speakers, followed by a one-hour forum exploring the implications of the presentation for leadership in contemporary society. Presentations range from disciplinary perspectives on leadership to the examination of different leadership styles. The workshop explores diverse aspects of leadership, especially as it applies to regional economic development. The course is highly interactive and involves regular participation by several faculty and students.

720 Metropolitan Transportation Policy (3:3:0). Prerequisites: MNPS 700 and MNPS 702, or permission of instructor. Recent federal legislation has led to renewed importance for transportation policy and planning due to concerns about clean air, economic development, congestion management, and changing urban form. This course introduces the student to basic methods of metropolitan transportation policy analysis and evaluation. Some specific topics include data collection, simplified demand estimation techniques, transportation choice modeling, transportation supply analysis, and ex-ante and ex-post evaluation methods.

721 Transportation Economics (3:3:0). Provides a basis for understanding the economics of the transport system and how transportation relates to urban and regional development. The course treats transport generically, but includes case studies of specific modes.

729 Practicum in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics (3:3:0). Engages students in an in-depth field study of ongoing transportation policy, operations or logistics situations, and the design and delivery of actions to manage or resolve problems and opportunities. The range of application areas for these practica depend jointly on the particular interests of the student body and opportunities faculty identify for "clients" or real-world projects. Illustrative domain areas include surface transportation (highways and transit), airports, and aviation.

740 Topics in Public Policy: Science and Technology (1-3:3:0). Selected topics in public policy not covered by fixed-content public policy courses. Selected topics relate to science and technology.

750 History of Military Operations Other than War (3:3:0). Focuses on the history of military activity in support of noncombat missions. Historical examples using the early days of the United States and colonial histories of Western and Eastern powers are used. This course also touches on the use of military force in support of multinational peace operations.

751 International Police Operations (3:3:0). Analyzes the role of international police monitors and domestic police forces in international peace operations. Focuses on how using international police monitors and developing indigenous law enforcement capabilities can improve the prospects for success of international peace operations. Examines the origins, mandates, planning, and deployment of international civilian police forces, the problems of coordinating these international police operations with international military forces and local security forces, the international role in developing democratically oriented police forces, the relationship of police to the entire judicial system, and the need to continue assistance to all parts of the judicial system beyond the initial intervention.

770 Topics in Regional and Urban Development Policy (1-3:3:0). A seminar exploring the concept of leadership and institutional development in regional economic development. The first part involves presentations by faculty members on conceptual, theoretical, and methodological traditions regarding leadership and institutional development. The last part focuses specifically on the issue of leadership in the context of regional economic development.

780 Evolution of the Washington Metropolitan Economy (3:3:0). Explores the evolution and future of the Washington metropolitan area economy, its historical context, the role of federal spending, tourism, the technology sector, international business, regional organizations, local government policies, and forecasts. The course evaluates the development patterns in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.

785 Urban Development Economics (3:3:0). Examines the changing structure and functions of the urban economy and develops the skills and knowledge for evaluating and remedying conditions inhibiting local economic development. The course includes case studies of redevelopment strategies, programs, and outcomes for inner-city neighborhoods, central and suburban business districts, waterfronts, and surplus military bases.

796 Directed Readings and Research (1-3:3:0). Independent reading and research at the doctoral level on a specific topic related to public policy as agreed to by a student and a faculty member.

800 Culture and Policy (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Provides a comparative overview of institutions and culture, focusing on the ways that the United States is exceptional when compared with other mature industrial societies. It presents culture and social structure as explanatory variables in accounting for these differences. It is also intended to give an overview of the anaytical methods used in comparative public policy research, and to provide background on the political environment in which international trade and investment decisions are made. This course is intended primarily for first-year doctoral students in public policy. It may also be taken, with a reduced set of requirements, by master's students in the international commerce and policy program as ITRN 502.

801 Macro Policy (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Demonstrates how macroeconomic, technological, demographic, and social forces affect the supply and demand for governmental services. Counterpart analysis of the impact of shifts in the patterns of international trade, the demographic composition of the population, and trends in the social structure are also examined. The course is intended to build an awareness of the need to factor alternative assumptions about the macro environment into policy planning; to show how macro events can affect both social welfare and policy performance indicators; and to suggest how national income accounting analysis and simple macroeconomic models can help to pinpoint impending trouble spots for public policy.

802 The Logic of Policy Inquiry (1-4:3:0). Prerequisite: Enrollment in doctoral program in public policy. Defines policy research problems, questions, and hypotheses. Explores modes of policy research, analysis, and rhetoric, including interdisciplinary research strategies. The course uses information sources to emphasize written communication of policy research results. A course also discusses professional practice issues.

805 Public Policy Systems and Theory (1-4:3:0). An inquiry into the policy-making environment, organized around the U.S. federal system. The seminar examines the nation's policy systems and its key components: the actors, institutions of governance, outside groups and other influential interests. Special emphasis is placed on the dynamic character of policy making. In addition, different policy theories are discussed in the context of current political realities.

808 Education Policy: Process, Context, and Politics (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Advanced graduate standing in education or public policy. Explores the emerging field of education policy and politics and the extricable nature of policy and politics in education through study of policy as process at the local, state, and federal arenas. The primary focus is on policy questions of compulsory schooling, curriculum and testing, governance, and finance, as well as value tensions of quality, efficiency, equity, and choice.

810 Theory and Methods in Regional Policy I (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Introduces and critiqued the theory and methods used in regional policy analysis. Students learn about central place theory, growth pole theory, and economic base theory, as well as other theoretical constructs used in regional policy analysis. Further, methodological tools such as regional econometric modeling, multiobjective programming, shift-share analysis, economic base analysis, location quotient analysis, and input-output analysis are also introduced and examined. Finally, selected current regional public issues are examined using the theoretical and methodological constructs introduced in the first part of this course.

811 Theory and Methods in Regional Policy II (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). The second of two semesters of required concentration seminar sequence in regional development policy. Only students who have participated in the first semester of this sequence (i.e., PUBP 810) are admitted. Develops research papers that investigate some element or aspect of regional policy. In this seminar, students identify and develop topics with the goal of producing publishable papers. The students develop the focus of their papers based on work carried out in the first semester, and are expected to prepare a two-page proposal, followed by a detailed proposal and finally, the completed paper. Each of these are critiqued in the seminar, which is organized to conform to this process of review and critique. The instructor works with each of the students individually, as well as in the seminar sessions.

814 International Trade Policy (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Focuses on institutions of international trade management, and the trade management choices facing the United States. After reviewing international trade theories, the course explores some recent writing on these institutions and choices. Then, students become involved in individual research into international economic issues, sharing methodologies and funding, and developing conclusions with the class. The four-credit version of this course requires a discussion section and a research laboratory.

817 Policy Research Topics: Transportation Policy (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). A research workshop examining the development of policy research and relevant methodologies linked directly to faculty and student interest. The course identifies cutting-edge policy concerns, and executes a research program. The four-credit version of this course requires a discussion section and a research laboratory.

820 Technology, Science, and Public Policy I (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). The first of a two-semester core seminar sequence required for Ph.D. public policy students in the science and technology policy concentration. Literature relevant to science and technology policy is covered. This core sequence begins with the postulate that technology has become a major casual force in the contemporary world. This seminar looks at the key formulations of the relationship of science, technology, and public policy.

821 Technology, Science, and Public Policy II (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). The second of a two-semester core seminar sequence in the science and technology policy concentration. Students develop research papers that investigate some element or aspect of science and technology policy. The course helps students identify and develop topics with the goal of producing publishable papers.

833 Topics in Public Policy (1-4:3:0). Selected topics in public policy not covered in fixed-content public policy courses.

840 Research Seminar in Policy Governance I (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Surveys the major institutions that formulate and implement public policy in the United States. The seminar examines linkages between translation of public preferences into public policy and decisions about the societal and economic functions that are most appropriately carried out by governments and those that are best accomplished by private institutions and individuals. The four-credit course requires a discussion seminar and research laboratory.

841 Research Seminar in Policy Governance II (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). The second of a two-semester sequence (PUBP 840, 841) in the governance and public management policy concentration. Studies the division of responsibilities among the several levels of government and between the public and private sectors. The seminar focuses upon the impact of these divisions on the development of public policy in several policy areas, such as urban governance, environmental policy, and health care.

850 Seminar in Public Policy (1:1:0). A weekly colloquium series, required of public policy Ph.D. students. Features a variety of speakers from universities, government, and nonprofit sectors. Topics include policy formulation and analysis, as well as theoretical and methodological foundation.

853 Ethics/Legal Issues and Social Action (1-4:3:0). An inquiry into the ethical and moral issues in public policy. Explores issues that are controversial and often confusing to public policy makers, such as health care, secrecy in government, surrogate motherhood, and disability. Perspectives are national as well as global, and deal with the impact of culture and politics on ethical dilemmas confronting society, The course also looks at the processes by which specific ethical systems are incorporated into governing bodies. Larger issues, such as war and peace, "just" and "unjust" wars, capital punishment, medical and legal ethics, and communitarian vs. individual liberties, are also included, with an emphasis on how they affect public policy.

860 Social Theory and Public Policy (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Introduces social theory and how it affects public policy. Major theoretical frameworks in the social sciences are analyzed in relation to the role they can play in the formulation of public policies in such selected areas as poverty and inequality, the family, education, crime and drugs, and race and ethnicity.

861 Research Seminar in Culture and Policy (2:2:0 to 4:3:1). Emphasizes the integration of theory and method into empirical research projects. Among the issues covered are the linkage between theoretical constructs and empirical literature, the derivation of research questions from an existing body of literature, and the selection of methods appropriate to answer those questions. The seminar requires both the development of concrete proposals for empirical research and the criticism of such proposals.

870 Organizational and Policy Aspects of Informatics (1-4:3:0). Examines the effects of informatics on national and international policy; setting of international policy on informatics; ethical and social change in governments and organizations; shaping of national policy in informatics; industry growth; and research methods from various scientific disciplines.

871 Organizational Processes and Technology (1-4:3:0). Prerequisite: PUBP 870. Introduces the modern vertically and horizontally integrated organization. Focus is on the modern managerial policy aspects of creating, integrating, and managing modern information technology-enabled public and private sector organizations.

998 Research/Proposal for Dissertation (1-9:0:0). Work on a research proposal that forms the basis for a doctoral dissertation. May be repeated, although no more than 24 credits of PUBP 998 and 999 may be applied to doctoral degree requirements.

999 Dissertation (1-9:0:0). Research on an approved dissertation topic under the director on dissertation committee. May be repeated, although no more than 24 credits of PUBP 998 and 999 may be applied to doctoral degree requirements.