1. Every student will write a Problem Memo that describes a problem in an organization, or in the city, state, or country that the student believes could be solved by means of policy change or legislation at the appropriate level. Students will post e-versions of the Problem Memos on the class Blogs@Baruch site, and I will collect hardcopies to correct.

2. I will organize the Problem Memos into topical categories, such as human resources issues in organizations, environmental issues, educational issues, healthcare issues, etc. Students will be able to browse Problem Memos by category using tabs on the class B@B site. Students will be required to post a certain number of comments within their category, and outside their category.

3. In class, stations will be set up to allow students to have discussions with others who have written memos in the same topic area, or with students who have written memos on different topics which are of interest. By the end of class, each student will have decided if s/he wants to work in a group, and if so, which group.

4. Students will finalize their group selection by putting their name and preferred email on an e-sign-up sheet. Each group will have a shared Google Docs space.

5. Individuals and/or groups will then write a Policy Options Brief. This document incorporates the Problem Memo and adds to it a set of suggested solutions to the problem. Students are encouraged to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each option by working through the Critical Approaches to Policy Proposals worksheet. Students will post e-versions of the Policy Options Briefs to the B@B site, and I will collect hard copies for grading and commenting.

6. Students will browse the Policy Options Briefs on the class B@B site, and sign up to be on a number of Response Panels using e-sign-up sheets. Each response panel will have a shared Google Docs space.

7. Individuals and groups will do a Policy Options Presentation in class. After the presentation, the Response Panel for that presentation will question the presenters and lead discussion.

8. One week after each presentation, the Response Panel will post its Decision about which options should be implemented to solve the problem as a comment on the Policy Options Brief on B@B. It will also deliver its opinion verbally in class.

9. Based on the response they have received from the response panel, from the class, and from me, each presenter or group of presenters will write a Policy Memo. This document will incorporate the Policy Options Brief and add to it a recommendation about which of the options reviewed should be implemented. The Policy Memos will be posted to the B@B site for class comment and turned in to me for grading.

10. Students will post a reflection on the deliberation and decision-making processes that took place in the Response Panels on which they served that makes reference to class readings on deliberation and decision-making.

11. Finally, using material from the Policy Options Presentation and the Policy Memo, individuals and groups will construct a web page on @ the Agora intended for public display. Each page have a static display of material concerning the problem and the various options for solving it, and will also have an ongoing discussion blog on the problem topic. Future generations of students might be enlisted to update the static portions of the pages to reflect new ideas and developments.