Public Administration Symposium

Bachelors Degree in Public Administration

PA 450

Breyer State University

Instructor: Waylon G. Stepp, PhD.

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: This course is the survey course for students seeking a degree in the Political Science, Public Administration, or related field. The course is suitable for both Public Administration majors and non-majors.  No previous knowledge of Public Administration is pre-supposed or required.

After examining 19th century historical developments and normative issues that led to the formation of the field of public administration, we will survey the evolution of the major theories about public organizational behavior in the U.S. -- traditional/classical public administration, modern organization theories, and bureaucratic politics. We conclude by considering several contemporary normative reactions to the dominant paradigm of American public administration.

Particular attention is given to the skills needed to conduct evaluation research, develop policy, and formulate fiscal planning. These skills are emphasized because they are the most appropriate for many of the kinds of issues that practitioners typically encounter.

Your class participation grade is based on your preparation to discuss the readings and items on the weekly study guides.  Occasional PowerPoint presentations and in-class exercises illustrate applications of the important ideas in this course.

Public Administration is different from many fields one encounters while at university.  It is an applied field, as opposed to an exclusively academic one.  PA is also inherently interdisciplinary.  It draws heavily on Political Science, but it also makes use of developments in the fields of Economics, Sociology, Business Management, and other fields as well.  Specific applications of Public Administration, such as healthcare management, even require specialized knowledge of medicine and other hard sciences.

So, what is Public Administration?  PA is a management discipline that deals with the public and not-for-profit sectors.  It is, as our textbook tells us, "government in action."  It is also non-profits in action.  The typical distinction is that elected government officials set policy, and public administrators implement that policy.  We will see over the course of the semester, though, that the definition is rarely that neat.  Public administrators do implement, but they also contribute to the formation of policy through the ways they choose to implement policies. They also contribute to policy formulation through their mastery of specialist knowledge and the sheer complexity of government, which prevents elected officials from being involved in all policies at all times.

TIME FRAME: This is an 20 semester hour course. This course is allotted 10 weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the 10-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your textbooks have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded 20 semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Book 1: Public Administration Theory Primer. Frederickson and Smith Westview Press: ISBN # 0813398045.

You can purchase all of your books at:

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EXAMINATIONS:  There are two (2) exams for this course.

Mid-Term Exam. The midterm will have both short (identification) and long (essay) questions to answer. You will have a choice of questions on both parts of the exam.  The midterm is worth 15% of the final course grade.

Final Exam.  The exam in this course will have both short (identification) and long (essay) questions to answer.   You will have a choice of questions in both parts of the exam.  The final exam is worth 20% of the final course grade.

Both exams are programmed and are located in the classroom for this course. The examinations are subjective type. To send me the exam, you must send me an email and let me know that you have finished your paper. I will then download your exam and grade it. Within a week, you will receive an email back from me telling you what your grade was and why you received it.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

The grading sheet for all written papers is as follows:

CONTENT: Weight 48%.

1. Content is comprehensive, accurate and/or persuasive.
2. Major points are stated clearly, and are supported by specific details, examples, and/or analysis.
3. Research is adequate for the topic.
4. The context and purpose of the writing is clear.

ORGANIZATION: Weight 28%.

1. The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.
2. The structure of the paper is clear and easy to follow.
3. The paper's organization emphasizes the central theme or purpose and is directed.
4. The conclusion reviews the major points.

FORMAT/GRAMMAR: Weight 12%.

1. Spelling is correct.
2. Word usage is correct.
3. Punctuation is correct.

READABILITY/STYLE: Weight 12%.

1. Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.
2. The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.
3. Development of each paragraph provides one idea per paragraph and provides consistency and flow.

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me.If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: There are three (3) written assignments for this course. Please go to the assignments section of the classroom.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: I, Waylon G. Stepp. Ph.D., CGS, currently teach undergraduate and graduate courses for Breyer State University. I hold a Doctorate in Public Administration, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management. I am a nationally Certified Grants Specialist. I have taught on all levels of the educational field. I have taught for both traditional and non-traditional post-secondary institutions. My background includes law enforcement management, non-profit management, and public school administration.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is a reading seminar that samples cutting-edge scholarship in several aspects of urban public administration. We begin with a brief foray into urban and administrative theory, then discuss the effects of local governmental structure on urban administration, and conclude by exploring several of the most controversial contemporary issues in urban public administration.

During the first several weeks, we explore the unique challenges facing urban administrators today by considering that a growing gap between the theory and practice of public administration complicates the task of local government managers and the question of how best to discern the interests of a community. Next, we consider how local officials interact by examining the relationships between the layers and institutions of local governments and hone in on the consequences of political fragmentation on administration. Finally, we engage in a whirlwind tour of issues in public administration including public policy formation, policy entrepreneurialism, urban management, economic and community development, housing, segregation, and sprawl. Lastly, we conclude by assessing the prospects for a voluntary city and the controversy over privatization. Although there is a substantial reading load for the course, students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss these influential and compelling works. The success of the course largely depends on this level of preparation.

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