Public Policy
A Concise Introduction
- Sara R. Rinfret - University of Montana, USA
- Denise Scheberle - University of Colorado, Denver, USA
- Michelle C. Pautz - University of Dayton, USA
Courses:
Introduction to Public Policy
Introduction to Public Policy
July 2018 | 336 pages | CQ Press
“A comprehensive textbook consisting of both historical and contemporary information and data about American public policy. The format and approach of the text are ideal for undergraduate students because they provide concrete examples of public policy in a way that relates to everyday life.”
—Linda Trautman, Ohio University
Public Policy: A Concise Introduction is a student-friendly primer that quickly connects readers to the inner workings of public policy. The text condenses early chapters on theory and the policy-making process, allowing students to take up key policy challenges—such as immigration, education, and health care—much earlier in the semester. Structured chapter layouts of substantive policy areas allow instructors to supplement with their own examples seamlessly. The book’s emphasis on policy choices asks students to look beyond simple pros and cons to examine the multifaceted dimensions of decision making and the complexities inherent in real-world problem solving. Not every student starts out engaged in public policy, so place your students—both majors and non-majors alike—in the driver’s seat by fostering their analytical skills early, and spend the rest of the semester discussing policy issues, examining data, and debating current policy examples that matter most to them.
Give your students the SAGE edge!
SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning. Learn more at edge.sagepub.com/rinfret.
—Linda Trautman, Ohio University
Public Policy: A Concise Introduction is a student-friendly primer that quickly connects readers to the inner workings of public policy. The text condenses early chapters on theory and the policy-making process, allowing students to take up key policy challenges—such as immigration, education, and health care—much earlier in the semester. Structured chapter layouts of substantive policy areas allow instructors to supplement with their own examples seamlessly. The book’s emphasis on policy choices asks students to look beyond simple pros and cons to examine the multifaceted dimensions of decision making and the complexities inherent in real-world problem solving. Not every student starts out engaged in public policy, so place your students—both majors and non-majors alike—in the driver’s seat by fostering their analytical skills early, and spend the rest of the semester discussing policy issues, examining data, and debating current policy examples that matter most to them.
Give your students the SAGE edge!
SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning. Learn more at edge.sagepub.com/rinfret.
PART I: DEFINING US PUBLIC POLICYMAKING
CHAPTER ONE: The Foundation
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Public Policy and Our Everyday Lives |
| Starting with a Definition |
| The Process |
| A Motley Crew: Institutional and Non-Institutional Actors |
| Policy Analysis |
| Why Studying Public Policy Matters |
| Plan of the Book |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER TWO: The Policy Process and Policy Theories
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Policy Rhetoric and Reality |
| What Really is Policy? |
| Understanding the Context of Public Policy |
| The Quest for Public Policy Theory |
| The Stages Heuristic Model of Public Policymaking |
| Alternative Policy Process Models |
| Actors in the Policy Process |
| Concluding Thoughts |
PART II: THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC POLICY
CHAPTER THREE: Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Up in Smoke: Federal and State Marijuana Policies |
| Overview of Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations |
| Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations Evolve |
| Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations Today |
| Enduring Virtues of a Federal System |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER FOUR: Rulemaking and Regulations
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: From Peanuts on a Plane to the Future of E-Cigarettes |
| Understanding the Context of U.S. Regulations |
| Understanding Regulatory Processes |
| Influence and Participation |
| After a Rule Becomes a Law |
| The Good, the Bad and the Ugly |
| The Future of Regulatory Policy |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
PART III: UNDERSTANDING KEY PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES
CHAPTER FIVE: Economic Policy and Public Budgeting
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Green Eggs and Ham and the Federal Government |
| Overview of Economic Policy and Public Budgeting |
| Size and Scope of the US Economy |
| The Federal Budget |
| History and Development of Economic Policy |
| Major Economic Policy and Budgeting Statutes |
| Major Actors in Economic Policy |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER SIX: Crime and Public Policy
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Guns on Campus: Safety or Risk? |
| Overview of Crime in America |
| History and Development |
| Actors in Criminal Justice Policy |
| Major US Criminal Justice and Crime Policy Statutes |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER SEVEN: Education Policy
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Behind the Curtain of a Public Education |
| Overview of US Education Policy |
| History and Development of the US Education System |
| Major Education Policy Statutes |
| Major Actors in US Education Policy |
| State Actors and Vested Interests |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER EIGHT: Civil Rights and Immigration Policy
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: The Desert and an Elusive Cat |
| Overview of Civil Rights |
| History and Development of US Immigration Policy |
| Major US Immigration Policy Statutes |
| The Actors in Immigration Policy |
| Unofficial Actors in Immigration Policy |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER NINE: Social Welfare and Health Care Policy
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: Living on Two Dollars a Day |
| Overview of Social Welfare Policy |
| History and Development of US Social Welfare Policy |
| Overview of Health Care Policy |
| History and Development of US Health Care Policy |
| Major Us Social Welfare and Health Care Statutes |
| Major Actors in Social Welfare and Health Care Policy |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER TEN: Environmental and Energy Policy
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: A Web of Actors When Disaster Strikes |
| Overview of Environmental and Energy Policy |
| History and Development of Environmental Policy |
| Understanding US Energy Policy |
| History and Development of Energy Policy |
| Major Environmental and Energy Policy Statutes |
| Major Actors in Environmental and Energy Policy |
| Issues and Challenges |
| Everyday Citizen Connection |
| Concluding Thoughts |
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Conclusion: Public Policy: A Concise Introduction
| Learning Objectives |
| Opening Vignette: On the Front Lines |
| Putting the Pieces Together |
| Why Public Policy Matters |
| Concluding Thoughts |
Supplements
Student Resource Site
- Mobile-friendly eFlashcards strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts
- Mobile-friendly practice quizzes allow for independent assessment by students of their mastery of course material
- EXCLUSIVE! Access to full-text SAGE journal articles have been carefully selected to support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter to encourage students to think critically
- Video and multimedia links that appeal to students with different learning styles
Instructor Resource Site
- Test banks provide a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert personalized questions to assess students’ progress and understanding
- Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for the course
- Lecture notes summarize key concepts by chapter to help you prepare for lectures and class discussions.
- Sample course syllabi for semester and quarter courses provide suggested models for structuring one’s course
- Chapter-specific discussion questions help launch classroom interaction by prompting students to engage with the material and by reinforcing important content.
- Lively and stimulating chapter activities that can be used in class to reinforce active learning. The activities apply to individual or group projects.
- EXCLUSIVE! Access to full-text SAGE journal articles have been carefully selected to support and expand on the concepts presented in each chapter to encourage students to think critically
- Video and multimedia links that appeal to students with different learning styles
“I like the progression of practical examples, public policy issues, and dynamics that position students to conceptualize both intellectually and academically. To be specific, Chapter 1 has established a foundation to enable the student to not just regurgitate facts but to invoke public policy facts to advance vibrant policy positions of their own.”
Governors State University
“A comprehensive textbook consisting of both historical and contemporary information and data about American public policy. The format and approach of the text are ideal for undergraduate students because they provide concrete examples of public policy in a way that relates to everyday life.”
Ohio University
“I think the features are fantastic and well placed in this textbook. I particularly like the chapter-opening vignettes, Everyday Citizen Connections, and Policy Choices feature. I think these make the text more accessible to students and generate more real student learning than a text that just presents the material in a static manner.”
Midwestern State University
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Available formats
| ISBN: 9781506329727 | Electronic Version | Suggested Retail Price: $64.00 | Bookstore Price: $51.20 |
| ISBN: 9781506329710 | Paperback | Suggested Retail Price: $80.00 | Bookstore Price: $64.00 |
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