|
Instructor: |
Robert
Parker rgp@darkwing.uoregon.edu |
Office: |
107
Hendricks |
Phone: |
346-3801 |
Office
Hours: |
2:00-3:30
pm Tuesdays and Thursdays or upon request |
Class
Meeting: |
9:30
am – 10:50 pm Tuesday and Thursday |
Room: |
136
Education |
GTF: |
Sarah
Hardgrave (shardgra@darkwing.uoregon.edu) |
Office: |
26E
Hendricks |
Office
Hours: |
1:00-2:00
pm Tuesdays and Thursdays or upon request |
I.
Course Overview
This
class is designed to (1) introduce you to planning and policy analysis, and (2)
refine your skills in a variety of research methods associated with professional
planning work. I take an applied approach to this course. In other words, this
course will strive to teach common methods and approaches that can be applied to
a variety of planning processes. More specifically, we will cover:
Basic
Planning Analysis Tools
policy analysis process
technical
memos and reports
standard
planning data sources
data
evaluation and presentation
basic quantitative approaches to planning problems (using percents, forecasting, discounting, etc.)
Specific
Research Techniques
survey
research
public
involvement
community
economic analysis
housing
needs analysis
You will learn these various tools and techniques through (1) class discussions, (2) several assignments, (3) an extensive final team project that will result in a 20-30 page report and presentation, and (4) a mid-term and a final examination. Both exams will be take-home.
This course will demand a substantial time commitment. I have high expectations for students. These expectations will be reflected in (1) the demands of the work assigned, and (2) how I grade your work. By the end of the course you should be able to apply various tools and techniques to develop a high-quality analysis that would be expected of a professional planner.
II.
Reading Materials
Patton,
Carl V. and David S. Sawicki, Basic
Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning.
2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall, 1993.
A
reading packet and other materials as assigned. Two copies of the reading
packet will be available in the Hearth area of Hendricks Hall.
Reading
materials posted to the class Web site.
III. Grading
Your
grade will be determined based on the following:
Attendance
& Participation |
5% |
Assignments
(5) |
25% |
Project
|
30% |
Mid-Term
Exam |
20% |
Final
Exam |
15% |
Total |
100% |
Late
assignment policy:
I strongly discourage submitting assignments late. Late assignments will receive
a 20 percent penalty for each day past the due date.
IV.
Statistics Requirement
By
now you are all aware of the statistics requirement for this course. The CRP
program requires entering students to have, at a minimum, one undergraduate
level course in basic statistics. If you have not completed the statistics
requirement, you should plan on enrolling in a statistics course this fall.
Please meet with me after class if you have not completed the statistics
requirement.
Statistical
techniques are an important component of any planner’s analytical toolbox. Due
to limited time and resources, we will focus on statistical tools that are
commonly applied by practicing planners. We will not cover basic statistical concepts such as central tendencies,
probability, and regression. These are all concepts that are more appropriately
covered in basic undergraduate statistics courses. We will offer a statistics
review in the Lab.
That
all being said, you should not be intimidated by the quantitative aspects of
this course. The concepts we will cover in class are relatively basic, and do
not require calculus or even advanced algebra. My objective is to ensure that
students have a basic comprehension of quantitative techniques and research
design and are able to identify and apply appropriate methods within the
framework of the rational policy analysis model.
IV.
Computer Applications
As
with nearly every profession, computer applications will greatly enhance your
efficiency and effectiveness as a planner. Toward that end, you will be using a
variety of computer applications to complete various course activities. The zero
week training and availability of various computer labs on campus will provide
the resources you need to integrate computer applications into your coursework.
I
expect that all course assignments will be completed using a word processor.
Additionally, some assignments will require use of a spreadsheet program
for data analysis and graphing. Finally, in late October, we will meet for three
sessions in the SSIL lab to learn SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences). SPSS is the primary application we (e.g. the PPPM Department) use for
survey analysis.
subscribe
pppm-613
end
The
Web site can be accessed at:
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~rgp/PPPM613/Index.html
All class notes and handouts will be posted on the Web site. Part of the intent of the Web site is to provide access to those materials without having to photocopy them. The Web site will probably be revised to include additional information, so check back periodically.
V.
Planning Analysis Lab
The
Planning Analysis Lab is a 1-credit required supplement to the Planning Analysis
class. The Lab is taught be Bob Choquette and meets from 10-12 on Fridays in the
PC lab in Grayson Hall. The purpose of the lab is to provide applied instruction
in the use of computers in analyzing planning data and to supplement the class
lectures.
VI.
The Course Project
Early in the term we will assign and discuss the course project. The purpose of the project is to apply techniques covered during class to a planning project in a team setting. Groups of 4-6 students will be assigned to teams to work on one of several projects.
This year, the term projects for the Planning Analysis and Introduction to Professional Planning Practice classes will be combined. What that means is that you will have the opportunity to integrate information presented in both classes into your report. You will also have the opportunity to work with your peers in accomplishing this research.
To
assist you in this process we will provide the research topic and some
information. That information will include survey results that you will be
required to analyze and interpret. You will supplement this data with other data
sources to create a 30-40 page report. Your team will prepare a 20-30 minute
presentation on your findings during the last week of class.
We will announce the project topics early in the term.
VII. Schedule
[Home | Syllabus | Schedule | Assignments | Project | Links]
This page maintained by Bob Parker,
©2000
September 26, 2000