Public Policy First Class
- 1. PUBLIC POLICY SOS 111 Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country. Franklin D. Roosevelt
- 2. AGENDA • Attendance • Get to know your professor • Get to know each other – name game • Go over the syllabus • Public policy is… • Do you think you have a voice in public policy?
- 3. ATTENDANCE • Please fill in an index card with • Your name • Address • Phone number • E-mail • Something interesting you would like me to know about you • These will be collected at the end of the class
- 4. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSOR
- 5. REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL • We all start our as children who wonder what we are here on this planet to do……
- 7. GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER The Name Game • State your name and a future goal • Each student repeats the names and goal of all the students who have gone before. The teacher goes last. Let’s all help each other!
- 8. WHAT WE WILL BE LEARNING The Syllabus • My office hours and phone • Readings: There is no textbook. Reading will be from handouts, materials on the web, and National Issues Forum Booklets. These will be available in the bookstore in several weeks. Each one costs about $3. We will be using 7 of these throughout the course. The booklets must be brought to class when that issue is being discussed. • Course Website: You will find all the course information and links to web materials and videos at http://publicpolicySOS111.wordpress.com • Please click FOLLOW so you will get up-dates directly in your e-mail.
- 9. WHAT WE WILL BE LEARNING Course Goals • 1. Collaborate with fellow students throughout the semester to open your mind to other perspectives both in and outside of class. • 2. To help identify your political philosophy and how your belief system impacts your view on policy issues. • 3. To develop an interest in our national government, the political process and how public policy is made at the national and state level. • 4. To feel safe and free to express yourself. • 5. To engage in respectful dialogue with classmates and to participate and grow from one another. • 6. To become a better person in using tolerance towards varied view points
- 10. CLASS ETIQUETTE • Mutual respect in class • Listen when someone else is speaking • Be on time. Attendance in this course is measured by your participation in all course assignments as scheduled. • Need help? Please inform me if you have any learning needs by the end of the second week of class. I am happy to accommodate. Do not be afraid to come to me for any kind of help.
- 11. CLASS ETIQUETTE • Plagiarism, cheating, or using work from other classes will result in an F. • Cell phone use is NOT tolerated during class. All cell phones are to be turned off and put away as soon as class begins. If I have to speak to a student more than once about cell phone use, 5 points will be deducted from the final grade for every time an incident occurs. If a student repetitively breaks this rule, the student may also be asked to leave the classroom and will not receive participation points/attendance. Please be respectful of those around you and of the rule. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of all resources provided by the college listed in the syllabus.
- 12. GRADING POLICY • Late Assignments: 10 points will be deducted from all late assignments. Assignments not done receive 0 points. If you are ill and have notified me by phone or e-mail, you may e-mail a copy to me, but you still must bring a hard copy to the class to receive full credit. • Raising Your Grade: Assignments turned in by the due date, and receiving less than 85, may be redone one time for a higher grade. All re-dos must be turned by the second to last class. Extra credit assignments may be arranged only if all required assignments have been completed and after consultation with me.
- 13. COURSE READING & PARTICIPATION • All reading assignments must be done before the due date so you can effectively participate in discussions and activities. • Topics are subject to change to better meet learning goals. • Participation: This is an active, hands-on course. Your participation in group discussions and individual activities during class is essential and worth 10% of your final grade.
- 14. ASSIGNMENTS • In Class Reflections • Midterm exam • Local Government reflection and presentation • Common Hour program reflection* • Policy Paper • Taking the Other Side debate • Final Exam
- 15. PERSONAL POLICIES Without having taken this class, think about what public policy means to you and what role it has in your life. This ungraded essay will be collected to be returned at the end of the course so you can compare how your ideas and beliefs have changed over the semester. *Reading Assignment for next time: How Governmental Policy is Made Handout
Editor's Notes
- #11: Participation points will be deducted when a student is late for class. Signed doctor’s notes are accepted. If for any reason you are having trouble fulfilling the obligations of this course, please contact me immediately. If you walk in late to class, please be seated quietly as not to disturb the discussion. You can be caught up later on.
- #15: Read offerings for Common Hour