Working individually, students will be responsible for producing a brief summary and analysis of one of the assigned readings on a (near) weekly basis. Your summary should be no more than one single-spaced page, and should: a) synthesize the key points and arguments of the article; and b) connect the article to arguments and themes from the weekly reading set and/or larger themes in the course. Your notes should be posted to the relevant section of the Ctools Resources folder by the start of seminar. Please also bring 6-7 paper copies to class (4-5 to share with your group mates, 2 to submit to Anthea and me).
Twice during the term students will work on assigned tasks in small-group settings. Each of these will carry specific deliverables, to be submitted by the group scribe on behalf of the group at the conclusion of class. More details on these exercises will be distributed on a week-by-week basis.
Working individually, students will be responsible for formulating an 8-10 page (double-spaced) paper on a digital government research topic of their choosing. Examples of potential paper topics might include: analysis of a particular citizen planning or regulatory policy process (cf. the March 10th readings); a particular administrative reform, protocol, or directive (cf. the Fountain or Dunleavy et. al. books); an evaluation of the online presence, initiatives or activities of a public agency at the municipal, state, or federal levels (cf. West); or an analysis of e-government initiatives, frameworks and barriers in countries beyond the United States. Materials from DG I (SI 532) are welcomed where they support your argument, but the subject matter of the term paper should fall principally under the topical areas of DG II (SI 533). Students may also opt to work in groups of up to 3 people to pursue somewhat larger scale and/or comparative projects (an example might be a comparative analysis of e-government frameworks across three separate national or state-level jurisdictions, or a proposal to incorporate new IT resources or processes into existing administrative functions); if you’re thinking of this option, please come speak to me relatively soon in the term. Up to one page descriptions of the proposed paper are due in class on April 7th, and will be returned with ideas and suggestions the following week. Students are also encouraged to come speak with me and/or Anthea about their paper ideas at any point in the term. Two hard copies of the final paper are due in my mailbox NO LATER than 12 p.m. (noon) on Monday, April 27th; please also submit an electronic copy to your drop box on the course Ctools site.
This is intended as a serious graduate research seminar, and all the usuals apply: come thoroughly prepared and ready to discuss, and treat your colleagues in a respectful and appropriate manner. While I will lecture from time to time, the quality of this, like any seminar experience, will depend largely on the work of you and your colleagues. I’d also encourage you to devote some time to serious note-taking during and after reading. If you know in advance that you won’t be able to attend a session, please let me know via email or in person.
Reading notes (best 4 x 5) -- 20%
In-class group assignments (2 x 10) -- 20%
Term paper (8-10 pp) -- 40%
Seminar participation -- 20%