Organizations and Policymaking
Fall 2009 PPAI 2130 S01
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Instructor: Geri M. Augusto
Please check the Detailed Class Information for up to date information about this course.
Information on meeting times for this course can be found on Course Schedule at http://selfservice.brown.edu
Course Description
Graduate seminar exploring how organizational, political and professional cultures shape policymaking and implementation; how policymakers and practitioners acquire policy-relevant knowledge and frame issues for public action; and how policy is made and implemented in complex interactive systems where power is unequal. Uses policy cases from the U.S., EU, and South Africa, with cross-border resonance in higher education, public health, and biotechnology. Also draws on instructor's own public policy experience in U.S. and southern Africa. Readings are transdisciplinary, and both U.S. and international. Seminar enhances capacity to think behind policy, and act across boundaries. No prerequisites. Reserved for graduate students in Public Policy and Public Affiars. Advanced undergrads and graduate students from other departments may apply for permission from the instructor.
Instructor's Description
The course approaches the study of public policy praxis by focusing on its practitioners, communities of practice and organizations—their cultures, modes of learning and sensemaking, and complex interactivity. In the first three parts of the course we explore the following broad themes: how organizational, political and professional cultures shape policy making and implementation; how policy makers and policy practitioners come to know what they know and frame issues for public action; and policy making and implementation in complex interactive systems, including practice-based networks. Examples will be drawn from a host of public policy spheres. In the final part of the course, utilizing a few emblematic current policy issues which are both shaping the future within pluralistic societies such as the U.S., EU countries and South Africa and have cross-border resonance, we will explore how class concepts may assist public policymakers and implementers in meeting some of their most complex challenges in thinking and acting. Those issues will be in the areas of transformation of higher education, public health, and science and technology (specifically, biotechnology).
Assignments and Grading
Course grades will be based on class participation (20%); the two short writing assignments, i.e. a reaction paper (5%) and a policy memo (10%); an individual or group oral class presentation (10%); the culminating group simulation (15%); and the final paper or take-home case analysis (40%).
Readings and Required Texts
Mary Jo Hatch with Ann Cunliffe, Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic and Postmodern Perspectives, 2nd edition; and Karl Weick, Sensemaking in Organizations. Also book chapters, case studies and articles available online/via OCRA.