George Mason University

School of Public Policy

PUBP 850: Seminar in Public Policy

Fall 2002

Basic Information

Instructor:  Stephen S. Fuller                          Telephone:  (703) 993-3186

Office:  Finley Building, 102F                        Email: sfuller2@gmu.edu

Office Hours:  Monday, 2-4PM; Thursday, 2-4PM; Best practice is to call for an appointment—other days and times are available.

Objectives 

The objectives of this colloquium series is to provide doctoral students in public policy broad exposure to the theories, analytical methods, and research outcomes that describe the field of Public Policy.  Each week invited speakers will present their research—approaches and outcomes—as the basis for informed discussion with full participation of students and attending faculty.  It is expected that through these seminars doctoral students will be exposed to policy issues and research methods that will strengthen their own research skills as well as develop new directions and ideas for future research papers. 

Student Evaluation

In order to achieve the objectives of this colloquium series, the doctoral students must be active participants in the discussions that build on the guest presentation.  Attendance is required in order to receive credit for the Seminar.  A maximum of two absences will be accepted but any absence should be discussed with the instructor.  There will be a terminal assignment (instructions to be distributed at a later date) that will involve the preparation of a short paper due at the last class in which you will comment on the range of pedagogies employed by the semester’s speakers.  Attendance at the Colloquium, the participation in the seminars’ discussions and submittal of the assigned assay will be the basis for course grading as either a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (letter grades will not be used in this class).

Schedule of Seminars

August 29            Stephen Fuller                             Research on the Washington Area Economy     

September 5        David Armor                            Family Policy and IQ

September 12       R. Akila                                    Gender and Inequality

September 19      Ken Button                               The Collapse of the Airline Industry                              

September 26       Susan Aud                                Competition in Education” From 801 to a

Dissertation and Beyond                                               

October 3            John Petersen                       Risks and rewards in Development Bond Financing                                      

October 10          Brian Benson                The Dissertation:  Soup to Nuts                       

October 17          Robert Fuller                        Somebodies and Nobodies: Overcoming                                                           The Abuse of Rank                    

October 24          Ken Reinert                              Trade Policy and Public Policy

October 31          Janine Wedel                The Power of a Different Perspective:

                                                                        An Anthropologist in Public Policy                                    

November 7         Connie McNeely                      Lost in the Chalkboard Jungle: Education,

                                                                        Society, and the Cultural Maze             

November 14       Somik Lall                                Research Program of the World Bank   

November 21       _________________            __________________________________           

November 28      Thanksgiving Day

December 5        Frank Sesno                             National Mood, National assessment: 

                                                                        Year-End Assessment