Summer 2026 | Asynchronous Online | May 26 – June 26, 2026
Welcome to POSC 315 — Introduction to Public Policy. This is a fully asynchronous, five-week course. Plan to invest the equivalent of a full-time course's effort during each week of the term. Check Canvas and your CSUF email at least once daily, including weekends.
Instructor
- David P. Adams, Ph.D.
- Office: 516 Gordon Hall
- Phone/Text: (657) 278-4770
- Email: dpadams@fullerton.edu
- Website: dadams.io
- Zoom: fullerton.zoom.us/j/3347502369
- Schedule a meeting: dadams.io/appointments
Virtual Office Hours
Tuesdays 9:30–10:30 a.m. and 7:00–8:00 p.m. on the Discord Office Hours Channel, and by appointment.
Response Time
I will strive to respond to all student emails, Discord posts, and Canvas messages within 24 hours, except on weekends and holidays. If you have not received a response within 24 hours, please send a follow-up message. If you are still waiting after 48 hours, contact me via phone or SMS at (657) 278-4770.
Grading Summary
- Reading Quizzes (5) — 20% (Fridays, weekly)
- Policy Problem Proposal — 10% (Fri, May 29)
- Problem Definition Memo — 15% (Fri, June 5)
- Alternatives and Evaluation Matrix — 15% (Fri, June 12)
- Draft Policy Memo — 15% (Sat, June 20)
- Final Policy Memo — 20% (Fri, June 26)
- Final Reflection — 5% (Fri, June 26)
Submission Format — Google Docs
All stages of the policy writing project must be drafted and submitted as a single Google Doc that you carry forward across all five weeks. Before your first submission, share the document with dpadams@fullerton.edu as an Editor. Each week, paste the shareable link into the Canvas assignment by the Friday deadline. Microsoft Word, PDF, or other file uploads will not be accepted.
Schedule Highlights
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25 (course begins Tuesday, May 26)
- Juneteenth (federal holiday): Friday, June 19
- Last day of class: Friday, June 26
Required Text
Birkland, T. A. 2020. An Introduction to the Policy Process: Theories, Concepts, and Models of Public Policy Making, 5th ed. Routledge. ISBN: 978-0367333286.