Course Description
Field research on selected problems and issues in public policy, including research design, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Prerequisite: PSC 600, PSC 601, PSC 602, three other graduate level courses, and permission of instructor; Notes: Open to advanced graduate students in the Master of Public Affairs program.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- identify and assess a specific problem or issue in a public or nonprofit agency
- summarize and synthesize relevant professional and academic literature as it applies to the topic
- analyze a public or management policy (or program) with appropriate methods and data
- complete a research project that demonstrates competence in professional written communication and is accessible to professionals and the public alike
- offer specific recommendations for solving the problem
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Project | 100% |
Grading Scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 93 to 100 percent | A |
| 90 to 92.99 percent | A- |
| 87 to 89.99 percent | B+ |
| 83 to 86.99 percent | B |
| 80 to 82.99 percent | B- |
| 77 to 79.99 percent | C+ |
| 73 to 76.99 percent | C |
| 70 to 72.99 percent | C- |
| Less than 69.99 percent | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Must attend mandatory meetings; much of this course consists of independent project work.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.