Cahn's Website

Contact Dr. Cahn

Course Syllabus (MPA 640)

Policy Brief Format

Sample Policy Brief

Policy Brief Evaluation Form

Policy Analysis Paper Format

Sample Policy Analysis

Policy Analysis Evaluation Form

JFK PAE Writing Guide

JFK PAEs Homepage

Sample PAES

Congressional Budget Office Studies
and Reports

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MPA 640
Policy Analysis
California State University Northridge

Winter 2004

Dr. Matthew Cahn
Professor

Department of Political Science
California State University Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA  91330-8254

matthew.cahn@csun.edu
(818) 677-4797

 

Public policy is the intersection of social, cultural, political, and economic demands.  This course examines methods for analyzing public policy, beginning with problem identification, formation of alternative policy responses, and methods of selecting the most appropriate policy response, including quantitative and qualitative assessments. 

This is a course about Public Policy Analysis -- or more clearly, about ways policy staff evaluate and select policy options.  Consequently, the primary focus is on areas that public agencies deal with, and on options generally available to government.  This suggests that there are opportunities and stumbling blocks which are uniquely tied to public agencies.  And, while much of what we discuss is applicable to private sector organizations, public organizations are fundamentally different than non-public. 

This website provides support for 406 by providing supplemental materials.  As the class progresses I will continue to post additional material.  

Sample Policy Analyses

         Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study 
         Channel Islands Marine Reserve Analysis

         CBO Sample Analysis Paper "Trends in Public Infrastructure Spending"

         Kennedy School PAE "Liability Barriers to Brownfield Development" 

Class Links:

Bardach's Eight-Fold Path
Policy Brief Format (6-8 pages)

Policy Analysis Format (20-25 pages)

CBO Sample Analysis Paper "Trends in Public Infrastructure Spending"
Kennedy School PAE "Liability Barriers to Brownfield Development" 

Writing Guides and Resources:

MLA Citation Style Guide
CSUN: Learning Resource Center

UCSB: Writing Resources
Harvard:
The Writing Center
Purdue:
Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Illinois Urbana:
The Writers' Workshop
Capital Community Technical College:
Guide to Grammar and Writing
University of Richmond:
Writer's Web
Hanover College:
Writing Manuals and Guides
Hudson Valley Community College:
Grant Writing Resources
Medianet: 
Presentation Skills

Additional Resources For Policy Analysis:

Policy Information

Politics 1
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Public-Policy.org
PoliSci.com

Federal Government Offices and Agencies

FedWorld (US Gov Web Directory)
Directory (LSU)

Directory (Commercial)

Federal Statutes and Regulations

The Center for Information Law and Policy
Federal Law Resources (Technical)
United States Code (Searchable Code of Federal Statutes)
United States Code (Searchable Code of Federal Statutes)

US Code of Federal Regulations (Searchable)

Academic Policy and Politics Resources

Public Policy Section, American Political Science Association
Section on Race, Ethnicity and Politics, APSA

American Political Science Association
(APSA)
International Political Science Resources

Political Science Virtual Library

General Political Science Resources
     Western Connecticut State University
     UC Irvine

Issue Areas

The 2002-2003 Congress
Odd Facts of Federal Elected Officials (Salaries, Names, Histories, etc.)

Federal Government and Resources
State Government Resources

 

 


Matthew Cahn
Professor, Department of Political Science
California State University Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA  91330-8254
matthew.cahn@csun.edu
(818) 677-4797