Syllabus

GPH 751: Advanced Policy Analysis – Spring A 2024

Credits - 3

Description

As partial fulfillment of the requirements for their MPH degree, Advanced Policy Analysis offers the opportunity for students to develop and complete their own analysis of a public health issue that intersects with government actions. All MPH students must create a high-quality written product, synthesizing public health competencies. Based on their selected topic, students will use practical and theoretical tools to analyze data related to a real-world problem and present their findings in an ILE project report. This is an iterative course, designed to facilitate successful progress towards completion of a high-quality written policy analysis, which may be considered for publishing with UNE’s public-facing repository of outstanding student work.

Materials

Required

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Public Health Competencies

PC 1. Synthesize and incorporate scientific evidence into professional writing
PC 2. Search databases and critically analyze peer-reviewed literature
PC 3. Develop strategies for qualitative and quantitative data management
FC 1. Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice
FC 2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
FC 3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate
FC 4. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice
FC 8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs
FC 12. Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
FC 14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations
FC 15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity
FC 19. Communicate audience-appropriate (i.e. non-academic, non-peer audince) public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of health equity and the social determinants of health within the context of public health policy.
  • Critically analyze public health policies and their impact on health equity.
  • Develop and apply a comprehensive framework for policy analysis, including problem identification, policy options, and evaluation methodologies.
  • Conduct a thorough literature review to gather relevant evidence and inform your policy analysis.
  • Effectively communicate your policy analysis findings through written and oral presentations.
  • Advocate for evidence-based policy solutions to address health disparities and promote health equity.
  • Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or critique of public health policies or programs

Assignments

Assignment and discussion descriptions mentioned below are summaries. Review full assignment prompts in the course

Discussions

Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, unless otherwise specified in the course. Response posts must be completed by 11:59 PM ET Wednesday, unless otherwise specified in the course. The online discussion portion is an important way to exchange ideas with your classmates. You will be graded on your participation and the effort of your posts. These posts will take time to complete but they are an essential part of this online course and a great way to get to know your colleagues. Be familiar with the course material before posting each week.

If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.

Policy Analysis

Throughout the course, you will complete various assignments leading to your final Policy Analysis, including a Literature Review, Stakeholder Interview Guide, Background Section, Methodology Section, Discussion Section, Abstract, Conclusion and Presentation.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

AssignmentsPoints
Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement 1
Week 1 Discussion: Introductions2
Week 1 Assignment: CDC Course - Introduction to Policy Analysis in Public Health2
Week 1 Assignment: Schedule 1:1 meetings with Instructor0
Week 2 Assignment2
Week 2: 1:1 with Instructor0
Week 3 Assignment: Literature Review6
Week 4 Assignment: Learning Journal 14
Week 5 Assignment: Stakeholder Interview Guide4
Week 6: Background Section Outline6
Week 6: 1:1 with Instructor0
Week 7 Methodology Section (Draft)6
Week 8 Assignment: Learning Journal 24
Week 9 Assignment: Background Section6
Week 10 Assignment: Learning Journal 34
Week 10: 1:1 with Instructor0
Week 11 Assignment: Discussion Section6
Week 12 Assignment: Abstract5
Week 12 Assignment: Conclusion6
Week 13 Assignment: Policy Analysis (Draft)8
Week 14 Assignment: Presentation5
Week 14: 1:1 with Instructor0
Week 15: Policy Analysis Submission (Final Draft)17
Week 16: Learning Journal 44
Week 16 Discussion: Journal Selection Tools2
Total Points100

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Course Schedule:

Each week opens on Wednesday at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. Each week closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Week 16, which ends on Sunday. 

Week 1: Jan 17 – Jan 24
Week 2: Jan 24 – Jan 31
Week 3: Jan 31 – Feb 7
Week 4: Feb 7 – Feb 14
Week 5: Feb 14 – Feb 21
Week 6: Feb 21 – Feb 28
Week 7: Feb 28 – Mar 6
Week 8: Mar 6 – Mar 13
Week 9: Mar 13 – Mar 20
Week 10: Mar 20 – Mar 27
Week 11: Mar 27 – Apr 3
Week 12: Apr 3 – Apr 10
Week 13: Apr 10 – Apr 17
Week 14: Apr 17 – Apr 24
Week 15: Apr 24 – May 1
Week 16: May 1 – May 5

The assignment/discussion descriptions mentioned below are summaries. Please make sure to review the full assignment prompts in the course.  There may be additional readings/videos that are not mentioned in this weekly summary, make sure to carefully review the modules in the course. 

Week 1: Introduction and CDC Policy Analysis Training

Assignments:

Week 1 Discussion: Introduction

Week 1: Assignment 1 – CDC Course

Week 1: Assignment 2 – Schedule 1:1 Meetings with Instructor

Week 2: Policy Process Theory

Assignments:

Week 2 Assignment

Week 2: 1:1 With Your Instructor

Week 3: Literature Review

Assignment:

Week 3 Assignment: Literature Review

Week 4: Identify Key Stakeholders

Assignments:

Week 4 Assignment: Learning Journal 1

Week 5: Stakeholder Interview Guide

Assignment:

Week 5 Assignment: Stakeholder Interview Guide

Week 6: Exploring the Policy Landscape

Assignments:

Week 6 Assignment: Background Section Outline

Week 6: 1-1 With Your Instructor

Week 7: Key Stakeholder Interviews & Methodology

Assignment:

Week 7 Assignment: Methodology Section – Draft

Week 8: Key Stakeholder Interviews: Data Analysis

Assignment:

Week 8 Assignment: Learning Journal 2

Week 9: Background Section

Assignment:

Week 9 Assignment: Background Section

Week 10: Policy Implications & Recommendations

Assignments:

Week 10 Assignment: Learning Journal 3

Week 10: 1:1 With your Instructor

Week 11: Discussion Section

Assignment:

Week 11 Assignment: Discussion Section Draft

Week 12: Abstract and Conclusion

Assignments:

Week 12 Assignment: Abstract

Week 12 Assignment: Conclusion

Week 13: Policy Analysis: Full Draft

Assignment:

Week 13 Assignment: Policy Analysis: Full Draft

Week 14: Presentation Slides

Assignments:

Week 14: Presentation Slides

Week 14: 1:1 With your Instructor

Week 15: Final Policy Analysis Submission

Assignment:

Week 15 Assignment: Policy Analysis Submission (Final Draft)

Week 16: Getting your work out there

Assignments:

Week 16 Assignment: Learning Journal 4

Week 16 Discussion: Journal Selection Tools

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

  • ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Policies

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the Turnitin Student quick start guide.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.