POLS 432 Dr. Robert Wood
Xu Zhao
0886325

Reflective Essay

During 16 weeks, I had a lot of fun in this POLS 432 class. I chose this course because it was major required. As an international student, I felt a little scared at the beginning of the semester since I know nothing about the American policy and I don’t have any friends in this class. It took me a while to adapt into this class style.

First, we started from Shambaugh/Weinstein book, and the West Wing episodes. Shambaugh/Weinstein book is about introduction of the Art of policymaking process. From the web book description, it says Author Paul J. Weinstein Jr., who was Chief of Staff of the White House Domestic Policy Council during Clinton's administration; he brought a unique and valuable insider's view to the book. This book also provides some real life examples that helped me a lot in reading some of the concepts. For example, I had no idea of how to write a memo when Dr. Robert Wood introduced us different types of memos. After class, I went back home and read the format of a memo and examples related to that memo, I got the idea about what is a memo look like and how to write it.

Indeed, I think the time I get to know about what was going on and what this course is about is right before spring break. Dr. Robert Wood was very thankful. The midterm study guide he provided for us helped me a lot about knowing the course materials, especially the White House staff members. I have learned a lot while I was reading and reviewing for the midterm and I got some ideas about what we had been through the midterm. Unfortunately, unlike others, I think I didn’t enjoy the West Wing episodes. The first reason is that I have lack of knowledge about US policy; second reason is my poor English skills. If there were some subtitles, I think I would understand well enough than without those subtitles.

After midterm, we started our White House Simulation. Even though this is only an experimental simulation, every one of us put our all effort on it; seemingly this is our real job. This is the most interesting part I enjoyed a lot throughout the semester. Like Dr. Robert Wood said, we have been exposed to a host of policy issues as well as a variety of theories to explain how the process works. I think as a student, it’s a great experience and perhaps can change one’s dream if he or she loved this simulation. In this simulation, my role was the officer of Science and Technology Policy. I worked with Alec Takashige and Dallon Bitz. They both were very nice to me and helped me a lot in researching our policy issues and writing the memos. Every time I had problem in understanding the articles, they went through with me and explained to me very patiently.
At this point, I want to talk a little bit about what I learned from this teamwork. Before I came to the United States, I did most of my schoolwork by myself. We don’t have any homework need to work with others in my Country. Throughout this simulation, I found out that teamwork is very important in our daily life. Now I prefer teamwork than individual work. As a member of a team, I can communicate with my team members. Like the White House simulation, as a team, we have a common objective need to share the ideas and work together, it is hard for someone to determine everything by him or herself and finish the job alone. For example, we were meeting every Wednesday to work on our memos. We sit together, find out our topic first, then research the recently News about our topic, and write words on the memo. There were a few teamwork advantages I found out from this simulation. First, if there is a team to work with, we can share the work and each member responsible for his/her favorite part. This will increase the efficiency of the work. When we work alone, it is obvious to meet some problems, then we have to check the relate materials or search the solution through the Internet. However, things will be changed if there is a team, as a member of team, we can ask our team members when the problems occur, maybe one of them knows the way to solve the problem, that means we will save the time to figure it out. More important, we can share our experience and ideas by each other; during the teamwork we will find the task becomes easier than we work alone.
If I could do it over again, I would change my role to International and Humanitarian Aid Council. I am more interested in this field. It is like looking for a job, everyone would like get a job he or she is very familiar with. I think if I choose the role I am interested in I can do my assignment more efficiently without having lots of problems. From my perspective, I am highly recommended Dr. Robert Wood use the simulation in future class. This simulation is a great opportunity for those students who want to act as White House stuff. This simulation is also a good training program for students improve their teamwork, critical thinking and communication skills.

Finally, I think I will keep both Birkland and Shambaugh/Weinstein book. Even though I didn’t read all the chapters from those books, I think they are worth well for me to keep and read in my spare time. Before taking this class, I didn’t think too much about public policy. In my mind, the United States is a freedom country; the public policy is made by residents’ vote. After these 16 weeks study of public policy, I have more deeply thought about public policy. I think public policy is the government helps residents solve economic, social and political issues. Various members in each council have their responsibility to distribute the problems. It is very important because how those councils solve the problem will affect how does this society will be look like. It’s the way to keep residents safe and a better life.