This document outlines the syllabus and agenda for a public policy course. It introduces the professor and encourages students to get to know each other. It reviews the course goals of developing an understanding of the political process, policy issues, and engaging in respectful dialogue. The grading policy and assignments are described, including reflections, exams, a policy paper, and debate. Students are asked to submit a pre-course essay on their initial views of public policy and its role in their lives.

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