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WebTychoUniversity of Maryland
European Division
Course Syllabus
Administrative Information
Course: PUAD 501, Concepts of Public Administration
Required Texts:
- Denhardt, R. B., Public Administration: An Action Orientation, 3rd Edition
- Stillman, R. J., Public Administration: Concepts and Cases, 7th Edition
Other Reference Material:
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: 5th Edition, July 2001
- Citing Electronic Resources: APA Style @ 1996-2001. Retrieved October 16, 2001 from UMUC web site http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html
- Finding Journal Articles @ 1996-2001. Retrieved October 16, 2001 from UMUC web site http://umuc.edu/library/guides/articles.html
- Identifying Periodical Literature: Popular, Professional, and Scholarly @ 1996-2001. Retrieved October 16, 2001 from UMUC web site http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/identify.html
- Link to Writing Resources at Other Online Sites @ 1996-2001. Retrieved October 16, 2001 from UMUC web site http://www.umuc.edu/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/links2.html
- Link to the UMUC WebBoard that includes journals available on-line, http://webboard.ed.umuc.edu/~pa
Location: Kapaun
Dates: 8-9 June, 22-23 June, 13-14 July, & 27-28 July
Times: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Professor: Mr. Jeff Jackson, MPA, ABD
Office Hours: Before/After class or by appointment.
Telephone: Home: 06375-994600 (not after 9:00 PM)
Email: jeffry.jackson@t-online.de
Course Details
1. Credit. 3 semester hours
2. Course Description (from catalog): A survey of the fundamentals of public administration, management strategies, and management techniques at the national, state, and local levels.
3. Course Objectives:
A. Provide an understanding of the historical development of American public administration
B. Enable students to contrast and compare administration within the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors
C. Provide an appreciation for and the unique applicability of the role of ethics in public administration
D. Apply current management policies and strategies to modern management problems
E. Develop and critique the ideas of primary scholars in the field
F. Develop writing and oral skills in presenting research in current public administration topics
4. Course Format. The course consists of a variety of instructional methods including lecture, discussion, group and individual work, and student presented material. The course is structured in a time-focused schedule; therefore, out-of-class contemplation of course material in preparation for classroom discussion is critical.
5. Attendance. Due to the condensed format of the course, punctual attendance at each class meeting and attendance for the duration of the day is vital. Absences should be arranged in advance when possible and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All assignments will be turned in on time.
6. Grading:
A. Case Studies: 10%
B. First Paper: 15%
C. Mid-term: 25%
D. Project Presentation: 20%
E. Final Paper: 30%
A= 90% and above
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
F= less than 70%
I= incomplete and will be given only when requested by the student AND all work completed to that point has been satisfactory (a grade of “C” or better) AND has been coordinated in advance (with accompanying documentation).
W= withdrawals must be completed in accordance with UMUC guidelines. Coordination should be arranged with the UMUC representative.
7. Papers (APA format required – no exceptions):
A. The first paper: 8-10 pages. Analyze the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11th, 2001, and discuss what types of policy issues have arisen as a result. Be specific in your paper regarding the identification of the specific agency and policy and the possible implications that such policies have had or will have on the citizens of the United States. Examples include homeland defense, airline regulation, federalization of baggage security, but there are others. The following internet site can be one source of information: http://thomas.loc.gov/. Papers will be typed using Microsoft Word in Times New Roman or Courier New fonts either 10 or 12 pitch. More guidance will be provided.
B. The final paper: 15-17 pages. This paper should examine a major national policy issue such as education, the environment, agricultural programs, affirmative action, or national defense (as examples). The paper should demonstrate a clear understanding of the policy issue and the roles and influences of the various governmental agencies (including the three branches at the National level and both State and Local) in the formulation and implementation. Include at least one current issue related to your major topic that is currently a point of interest for the specific policy arena and its potential impact.
8. Mid-Term. The mid-term scheduled for the morning of 13 July consists of eight essay questions of which the student must answer five. The topics will come from all reading material and class lectures covered through 23 June 2002.
9. Project Presentation. In-class presentations will be conducted on the last day of class, 28 July. Each student will have 15 minutes to present their work included in their final paper. Students should rehearse the presentation before class to ensure that the 15 minutes allotted is not exceeded. All presentations end at 15 minutes.
10. Agenda:
A. Saturday, 8 June 2002
1. Class Orientation – Student/Professor introduction and syllabus discussion.
2. Denhardt Chapter 1
3. Stillman Readings 1.1 & 1.2
4. Writing Points
B. Sunday, 9 June 2002
1. Denhardt Chapters 2 & 3
2. Stillman Readings 2, 4, & 5
3.
Stillman Case
Studies 2 & 4 Turn-in
4.
Chevron v NRDC
C. Saturday, 22 June 2002
1. Denhardt Chapter 4
2. Stillman Reading 16
3.
Stillman Case Study
16 Turn-in
4. In-Class Case Studies (Meyer/Brown 2, 3, 4)
D. Sunday, 23 June 2002
1. Denhardt Chapter 6
2. Stillman Reading 11
3. Title 5, U.S.C. & OPM (handouts) (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/) & (http://www.opm.gov/)
4. Paul C. Light Article: To Restore and Renew: Now is the Time to Rebuild the Federal Public Service
5.
OPM Strategic Plan
(http://www.opm.gov/gpra/opmgpra/SPlan.pdf)
6.
First Paper Due
E. Saturday, 13 July 2002
1. MID-TERM EXAM
2. Denhardt Chapter 5
3. Stillman Readings 8 & 12
F. Sunday, 14 July 2002
1. Denhardt Chapter 10 & 11
2. Stillman Readings 6, 7, & 14
3. Stillman Case Study 6 Turn-in
4. In-Class Case Studies (Meyer/Brown 15 & 19)
5. Irving L. Janis: Groupthink: The Desperate Drive for Consensus at Any Cost
6. Peter M. Senge: The Fifth Discpline: A Shift of Mind
G. Saturday, 27 July 2002
1. Denhardt Chapter 9
2. Stillman Reading 10
3. Volcker Commission (handout)
4. Osborne & Gaebler: Reinventing Government: Introduction
5. FINAL PAPER DUE
H. Sunday, 28 July 2002
1. Denhardt Chapter 12
2. Class Presentations
3. Concluding Comments
11. Academic Integrity. All work is expected to represent the work of the specific individual submitting the final product. I do not believe that this will be an issue, but if cheating or plagiarism takes place I will forward all cases of suspected cheating or plagiarism through the appropriate university channel. Simply stated, give credit in your writing to the author from whom you got your idea or inspiration.
12. Lastly, relax and have a good time. Share your ideas, thoughts, and experiences with the group. Doing so does two things. First, verbalizing your thoughts and ideas solidifies the concepts in your own mind and can provide insights into where your ideas need further development. Secondly, sharing your ideas helps others learn and provides mechanisms for them to understand the topic and their own thoughts better. Education can and should be fun as well as challenging.