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Learn key steps in identifying and solving societal problems through evidence-based policy making. Includes discussions on graphs, causes, and policy tools. Dive deep into case studies and expert opinions and grasp the importance of distinguishing between evidence and causes. Enhance your problem-solving skills and craft impactful policies to address community issues effectively.
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A problem well stated is a problem half solved. -Charles F. Kettering Self-Interest Public Interest
Class Agenda • Announcements • Overview of Module 3 Paper
Agenda for Module 3 • 10/4- Introduction • 10/7- Grading Exercise • 10/9 - Dean Van Slyke • 10/11 –Stephanie Pasquale • 10/14 – Problem Solving and Graphs • 10/16- Competition Workshop • 10/18- Competition Debriefing • 10/21- Module 3 due!
Competition Points Winners Losers As of 10/4/19
Want to be a PST 101 TA? Who: Lovers of PST, hard workers, leaders, those with an A- or A What: Be a TA for PST 101 – Spring 2020 When: The application, which is on the website under the TA tab, is due on Wednesday, October 23rd by 8PM How: Complete the application and an interview & end the course with an A- or A & be chosen Questions? Email Renee at rnverdi@syr.edu
Dale Carnegie Principles • Don't criticize, condemn or complain. • Give honest and sincere appreciation. • Arouse in the other person an eager want. • Become genuinely interested in other people. • Remember that a man's name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language. • Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. • Talk in the terms of the other man’s interest. • Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely. • Avoid arguments. • Never tell someone they are wrong • If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. • Begin in a friendly way. • Start with questions the other person will answer yes to. Let the other person do the talking. • Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers. • Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view. • Sympathize with the other person. • Appeal to noble motives. • Dramatize your ideas. • Throw down a challenge. • Begin with praise and honest appreciation. • Call attention to other people's mistakes indirectly. • Talk about your own mistakes first. • Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. • Let the other person save face. • Praise every improvement. • Give them a fine reputation to live up to • Encourage them by making their faults seem easy to correct. • Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.
Basic Diagram Players A B Societal Problems Public Policy C Chapter 5 Chapter 6
Spine of the Module Three Paper • 5.1a Define the societal problem • 5.1b Effects of the Problem • 5.3 Evidence (Worth 30 points) • A trend line graph (Minimum of 3 data points, 1 must be real) • A quote from a player, stakeholder, or expert you interviewed • A quote from a published, printed, or electronic source • 5.4 Causes of the Problem (5.4) • 6.3 Policy to deal with the problem—TOOLS on page 79-80 in the textbook • Effectiveness vs. Feasibility (6.3c)
Choosing Specific Societal Problem • Must be a measurable societal condition • Must be at a local area [county, town, city] *not federal, not state* • Try to connect it to your community service or previous experience or contact • A policy you don’t like is not a societal problem (e.g. Too many gun-related deaths correct vs. Weak gun laws WRONG)
Finding a Variable-The First Key • You must have data to measure your societal problem. • Don’t confuse it with policies. • Here is an example. State the societal problem.
Think Beyond Social Justice BS • ‘Social Justice,’ According to Whom? • “The concept is complicated, but you wouldn't know that by walking around college campuses.” Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor of History of education, Princeton U. Chronicle of Higher Education, B25, 9/27/2019.
Onondaga Community Indicators: Crime Societal Problem: There is too much violent crime in Onondaga County.
Onondaga Community Indicators: Economy Why is this wrong?
EVIDENCE VS.CAUSES • Good example of a cause: “Students are dropping out because the high school curriculum sucks.” • Bad example of a cause: “The graduation rate in the 2017/2018 academic year was 45%.” Why is this a bad example of a cause? What is it a good example of?
EVIDENCE vs. CAUSES Cont. • EVIDENCE: Confirms the existence and the extent of the societal problem • When presenting evidence include at least one of the following: • Statistics showing change over time and/or comparing different localities/groups • Expert opinions • Examples/Case Studies • CAUSES: The reasons for the societal problem (DO NOT confuse causes with effects)
A Word About Causes • We use the term all the time • But, causes can never be proven, EVER • Correlation does not mean causation but hints at it. Smoking Lung Cancer • Wrong: the high school graduation rate is low because school funding is too low • Correct: Low funding is correlated with a low graduation rate
Spurious Correlations http://tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
6.1 & 6.3c Effectiveness vs. Feasibility • Effectiveness: what will work best • Feasibility: the likelihood of implementation • Generally, the more effective the less feasible
6.1 & 6.3c Effectiveness vs. Feasibility • Must weigh effectiveness vs. feasibility when choosing preferred alternative policy in 6.3c. • Refer to pages 80 – 82 of textbook
Use Experts and Players • Use the Web Research Link • Use published material
Gathering Information • Players influence public policy - Elected/appointed officials & their staff members, organized citizen groups, civic associations, industry trade groups, lobbyists, private individuals, etc. • Stakeholders –anyone impacted by the policy including people working in business, government and the nonprofit sector • Experts –people who provide knowledgeable viewpoints to help players and stakeholders from businesses, non-profit organizations, the government, etc.
More on Continuums • Things in terms of opposites with a line between them: • X----------------------------------Y • Can be used for thinking about: • Values -What’s good/what’s bad • Causes—What causes X; Y or Z • Forecasts—X will not happen/X will happen
Cause Continuum • Cause of human behavior Nurture Nature
Prediction • X will win a election No Yes
Value Continuum Sample Capitalism is good or bad Good Bad
Another Value Continuum • Subsidize Grades in PST 101? No Yes
DUE ON SUNDAY NIGHT Email your TA with your societal problem using a “too” statement by 8 PM on Sunday, 10/6 or lose 5 points!
Grading Policy Exercise (GPE) for Next Class • Instructions can be found on the website under the module 3 tab • Decide on a grading system THAT WILL PROMOTE LEARNING IN 101 • You will have 3 choices: traditionalist, conservative, or socialist. • If you are undecided, write a paragraph explaining why. • Come into class on Monday with a TYPED paragraph on your preferred grading system WITH NAME AND GROUP #
Trend Line Graph Homework • Trendline Homework Due Monday, October 14th • Exercise 5.3 is worth 30 points • Guides on PAF 101 website • Trend Line Tutorial • How To Get an A • Video under ”Resources”
For Next Class • Work on Player and Expert Contacts • Work on 5.1-5.3 • Email your TA with your societal problem by 8 PM, 10/6 or LOSE 5 POINTS • Grading Exercise choice due at the start of class or LOSE 5 POINTS
Jeffrey Gee • Chief, Investigations & Hearings Division, FCC • Washington, DC • Undergrad at Syracuse with a BA in TRF (Television, Radio & Film), Policy Studies, and Political Science • JD from Georgetown University Law Center