Public Policy Bulletin Board 

Summer Session I 2010: ENST20750 #30157

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Edition #9: 6/20/2011

We are now into the final week of our course. The assignment on sustainability policy has been available since we entered this section. You should follow the schedule for weeks #4 and #5.

I now know when my grades are due. Although my turn-around is tight, I can extend the due date until Sunday night, June 26, a strict deadline. I know that many of you work and I wish to provide every opportunity for you to demonstrate learning in our course.

The original link to the film in week 5, The Burning Season, had changed. I have corrected the problem but please refresh the schedule page in the browser window (typically a button on the top left) to load the new page. You can view the Burning Season from here. Unfortunately, the site does not always load properly on the first try, but does so on the second. 

Edition #8: 6/14/2011

The course has entered its final phase, an examination of policies to support world sustainability. This daunting challenge is met through a close read of the only book required here, Lester Brown, Plan B 4.0. This book has much detail, so I have provided copious notes to expand and to clarify. Please see the final assignment, which is due on June 24 and counts 32 points toward your grade. 

There is much to do here, including a grasp of Brown's important book. Background material on sustainability is included. Note how the sustainability agenda is set in the schedule. Brown's first three chapters set an agenda. He follows this with his proposed remedies include policies in which he gives attention to implementation and budgets. He assesses existing policies throughout. Connecting the readings to the Public Policy Cycle is recommended. 

Note in the assignment that you may focus on a specific issue area, such as social, energy and climate, and natural resources. This might help provide focus, but an overall approach is worth considering. You may fine the Earth Policy Institute web site helpful.

Please see a wiki page for your comments on this section of the course. I have linked to an article in the Yale Environment 360 by Gus Speth, Off the Pedestal: Creating a New Vision of Economic Growth. Join in the discussion.

Edition #7: 6/8/2011

Many of you lead complicated lives, so I have granted an extension of the assignment on the Public Policy Cycle until June 13, due by the end of the day. Of course, the main source of material for this assignment is found by following links from the course schedule and by digesting the news of the day, particularly the New York Times.

Note, two pages on the original schedule for budget did not load properly, a budget simulation game and the 2011 summary budget of the U.S. government for 2011 --- see Table S-6. The broken links have been fixed.

Next week, we will start the third section of the course, public policy for sustainability.

Edition #6: 6/2/2011

Please join our third wiki discussion forum, the formulation of a sustainability policy to assist cities around the world to address climate change. This is a partnership of the World Bank, world-class cities, and the William J. Clinton Foundation --- federal governments are not directly involved. This complex case involves all five phases of the public policy cycle. Try to follow its complexities.

Edition #5: 6/1/2011

We now proceed through the Public Policy Cycle, preparing for the next assignment, which is due on June 10. This aims to achieve the first goals of the course, listed in the syllabus: "The student should identify, explain, and apply key concepts and terms underlying the public policy process, grasping public policy as an unfolding dynamic."

Consider some cases that tend to expand the scope of public policy:

1. Airplane safety is threatened by lasers aimed at cockpits. No kidding! Okay, we don't want excessive regulation, but this might be important. The Federal Aviation Administration thinks so. Or should we oppose more government regulations?
2. Some bus chashes have been in the news. Maybe there is a proper role for the federal Department of Transportation. Or might this be heavy handed interference with a legitimate business by a big bureaucracy?
3. We need Homeland Security, right? Should the program harrass critics of government, though? And how best to crack down on illegal immigration?

The point of such stories is that you should develop a realistic and practical grasp of public policy. Remember my ideology discussion? ENST207 means to find practical and cost-effective solutions to real problems. 

Edition #4: 5/30/2011

I wish all the students in ENST20750 a comforting Memorial Day.

Notice that I have asked for the first assignment by the end of the day tomorrow, Tuesday, out of respect for the holiday. (Transmit as an MS Word document via email.) Unfortunately, my mother, aged 86, requires some medical attention, forcing me to leave town for a few days later this week. Since her home does not have wireless service, my plan is to grade all the assignments before I leave. Therefore, late assignments may pose a problem for me and, as described in the assignment, will lead to a slight deduction in points for tardiness. 

Edition #3.1: 5/25/2011

You should be following the readings in the schedule for week one of the course. Remember that a written assignment is due by the end of the day on May 31.

A new discussion item has been posted: The special election in New York's 26th Congressional District appears to have national significance. Take a look and join a class discussion. This issue is breaking and has wider scope than the prior discussion on Title IX.

I have made minor changes to my ideology page and to the methods page within the introduction to public policy section of the schedule.

Note: Some pages load without the style sheet that provides the look and feel of the site. This is because my web server company has changed since the last offering of ENST207 and not all the files moved over correctly. I am trying to fix this but the content is still the same.

Edition #2: 5/24/2011

Welcome back! ENST20750 is not officially under way. If you have not responded to my email of a week ago, please do so now. Also, by now, you should have set up your free account on this wiki and an account on the New York Times, all spelled out in the email. Most, but not all, have responded.

I have made a slight change to the schedule, asking you to email me the results to the quiz listed for this week under the "Introduction to Public Policy" section.

To begin using the wiki, please see the discussion page on a public policy issue recently featured in the New York Times --- always follow the link.

Edition #1.1: 5/20/2011

Welcome! We formally initiate our summer session I on-line version of Public Policy on Tuesday, May 24. This offering of ENST20750 is delivered entirely on-line through my web site. I have no need for Moodle but I do build and maintain a dedicated course Internet web site and use this wiki to enhance communication and participation. You have found the wiki Bulletin Board so you are off to a good start, but you must also sign in, please! Your collaboration requires your enrolling, which is free.

The course syllabus and the schedule are both up at my course web site. Please peruse them carefully. Note that I do not use Moodle, but provide all course material through my own web server and my wiki. 

The only book you need to purchase is Lester Brown, Plan B 4.0 (New York: W.W. Norton, 2009), which is widely available, including at the Ramapo College book store. To follow current events, please subscribe to the New York Times digital edition. Note that the first assignment is due on May 31.

Please examine these course materials and tell my what you think and feel by email to wkhayes@gmail.com. Let me know if there are any special circumstances or needs that I should consider for you as we proceed. Tell me why you are taking Public Policy and any topics you care about or personal goals that you wish to achieve. Please also let me know how I can reach out to you by telephone: your number and convenient times. (This is private information and you need not oblige.)