| 1 |
Introduction
Knowledge in use: Problems and opportunities, overview of the course, participant interests.
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| 2 |
Models of knowledge production and decision making
Rational policy/planning model, muddling through, deliberation, causal reasoning.
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| 3 |
Agendas and the policy process
Agenda-setting and agenda-informing research, politics of the policy process, policy actors and messages.
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| 4 |
Frames and persuasion
Sensemaking and storytelling with and without research, frame analysis, reframing. Case: Education reform.
Guest: Jal Mehta
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Problem statement for case paper due |
| 5 |
Paradigms and fads
Focus: design and city form, "urban utopias."
Guest: Lawrence Vale
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| 6 |
Diffusion of innovation
Creating and diffusing innovation, replication and mimicking.
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Take-home midterm exam available
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| 7 |
Case: Fighting ghetto poverty
The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment, images of ghetto poverty and the poor.
Guest: Jeffrey Liebman
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Midterm exam due |
| 8 |
Case: Science in policy disputes
Guest: Lawrence Susskind
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| 9 |
Action learning and practice
Theories of practice, action learning, communities of practice (knowledge networks).
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| 10 |
The politics and use of evaluation research
Truth tests and utility tests, demonstration theory of social change.
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| 11 |
Research writing for non-academic readers
The form and function of research briefs and related media (press releases, etc.)
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| 12 |
Discussion of student briefs and case papers in progress. |
Research briefs due 48 hours before class, for peer and faculty review |
| 13 |
Course review, discussion of case topics. |
Final case papers due |