PADM 731 - Advanced Practicum: Analysis of Public Policy Issues (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
This practicum is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute a high-level project for a real-world “client”-a public official, working in a decision-making capacity, who has volunteered to work with students on this project. Students will work in groups and-together with the “client”-identify an issue, problem, policy, and/or program that the client wishes to address. Preferably, the topic will be one that has been the subject of public debate or controversy. The student’s task is to research and analyze the issue and develop a series of recommendations in the form of a “client memo,” organized, written, and argued persuasively.

The course is divided between class meetings and independent, supervised research. Class discussions, based on readings, will explore relevant public policy and public administration issues and will examine a range of appropriate research methods and analytical approaches. During the semester, groups will meet independently with the instructor to assess progress and discuss research problems. At intervals during the term, students will make oral presentations, based on their research. The final client memo will be presented and discussed in class.

To assist students in completion of the memo, the course is organized in several steps: finding a client; identifying and refining the client’s issue or problem; and selecting an appropriate analytic method.