MPA 500 Theories in Public Administration and Democratic Governance
Dr. Sandra M. Emerson Office Hours: Mondays 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9-12:50 PM Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Email: Saturday 1:00-3:00 p.m. or by appointment
Phone: 909 869-3879
Course Objectives:
The goals of this course are as follows:
· To introduce students to the political context, social and ethical values that define the role of the public administrator. Students will explore theories and practices derived from scholarly disciplines such as political science, economics, sociology and management. This overview should enable the student to understand the fundamentals of democratic governance and accountability.
· To provide an overview of the MPA program at CPP with regards to scholarly and ethical standards.
· To prepare students to identify and define an appropriate topic in public administration and/or public policy.
· To prepare students to draft a literature review that represents scholarship and practical concerns for improving public sector administration.
· To provide students with an opportunity to hone skills in leadership and team collaboration
· To provide students with an opportunity to improve presentation skills.
Required Texts and Materials:
Emerson, S., R. Menkus, K. Van Ness, and G. Streeter, 2010. Practical Guide to Public Administration. Washington D. C.: CQ Press. Copies of the text are available from the Bronco Copy Center.
Galvan, J. 2006. Writing Literature Reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences. Glendale CA: Pyrczak Publishing
Shafriz, J. and A. Hyde 2007. Classics of Public Administration, 6th edition. Boston, MA. Thomson.
Articles (On-line at CPP Library)
Henry, N., American Administrative Tradition in Shafritz, J. 2000, Defining Public Administration. Boulder CO: Westview Press, 17-29.
Marini, F., Public Administration in Shafritz, J. 2000, Defining Public Administration. Boulder CO: Westview Press, 3-16.
Course Requirements
Students will be evaluated on the basis of:
· Mid-term 30 percent of the grade:
Please bring a 100 item Scantron for part A and a blue book for part B
· Pop quiz 10 percent of the grade.
· Literature Review Paper 30 percent of the grade. This includes an 8 page paper with citations.
· Presentation 10 percent of the grade. Prepare a brief 5 minute presentation of the issue context, the scholarly debate, and conclusions. Be prepared with either class handouts or a Power Point presentation.
· Progress on paper 20 percent of the grade.
o This is comprised of a draft context statement that demonstrates the student can correctly cite references, use popular and scholarly references and prepare a brief well written statement. The context draft is 10 points.
o The second progress assignment is to present 1-2 page discussion of themes in the literature based on Galvan’s instructions on pre-reading for content. This assignment is 10 points.
Course Policies
· To attend classes having read all materials. To be timely in submissions and attendance.
· To treat faculty and colleagues with respect by listening attentively and participating in class activities. Cell phones, beepers, text messaging will be considered a violation of ethical class behavior and will result in a full deduction in the final grade.
· To present all writing assignments in Standard English that is consistent with scholarly and professional standards. To correctly cite all references. Papers will not be graded if the following is found:
o More than 2 English grammar and/or spelling errors
o Citations are incorrect
o Materials are plagiarized, extensively quoted and or cut/pasted together.
With the exception of plagiarism papers that receive NO GRADE may be resubmitted once. The second submission will be graded and if not correctly cited and/or poor grammar persists, the student will receive a failing grade.
· There are no make-up exams, extra credit, or other supplemental arrangements. Students are graded based on having materials submitted as scheduled below. No late papers, tests or assignments. Late work is a failing grade.
Grades:
A = 95 and above / A- = 90 to 94B+ = 87 to 89 / B = 84 to 86 / B- = 80 to 83
C+ = 77 to 79 / C = 74 to 76 / C- = 70 to 73
D+ = 67 to 69 / D = 64 to 66 / D- = 60 to 63
Plagiarism or any value less than 60 is F
Plagiarism, the presenting of other’s work as your own, is an F in this course. There are no exceptions. Plagiarized papers will be forwarded to Judicial Affairs Office for adjudication.
Course Schedule is noted below.
Course Schedule
1 / Sept 26
DMS at session / Introduction to Public Administration
Who we are and our interest in public administration.
MPA Program at CPP
Scholarship requirements:
1. Scholarly writing
2. Citations: APA
The history, discipline and profession of public administration / Shafritz, J. 2000 Defining Public Administration. Chapters 1 and 2.
Galvan: pages 1-12 optional; Chapters 3 and 11 are required. / None
2 / Oct. 3
KVN and RM at session / The context of public administration
The identification of themes and scholarly discussions as hallmark of discipline and professionalism.
· 5-6 themes that dominate the field of public administration
· The literary review process / EMVN- Chapters 1 and 2
Shafritz, Classics in Public Administration, articles identified on page v, the Political Context of Public Administration.
Galvan Chapter 4-7, / Submit topic discussion draft with correct English usage and citations.
(10 points)
3 / Oct. 10
Georgiana Streeter / Ethics
The policies and practices of ethics in public organizations. / EMVN, Chapter 3
Shafritz , Classics in Public Administration, articles identified on page vi, Public Service Ethics / ---
4 / Oct. 17
/ Public Management
The tools (surveys, focus groups, MAUT, PERT and flowcharts) of public administrators.
Public Management theory. What are management issues and how do key authors view the debate?
/ EMNV Chapters 7-9
Galvan, Chapter 8.
Shafritz , Classics in Public Administration, articles identified on page vi, Public Management specifically Gulick, Landau, Allison, Moe and Hood. / 1-2 page discussion of themes in topic of student’s choice
(10 points)
5 / Oct. 24 / Mid Term Examination
Discussion of Literature Review and Power Point Presentations. / All materials covered during weeks 1-4
Bring 100 item Scantron
Bring Galvan text. / (30 points)
6 / October 31
Royce Menkus / Human Relations / EMVN Chapters 10 and 11, Appendix A.
Shafritz , Classics in Public Administration, articles identified on page v, Human Resource Management (all but Krislov)
/ ---
7 / Nov. 7
Kathy Van Ness
Sandra Emerson / The Public and Strategic Thinking
Including the public in self governance: informing and involving
Special Guest Speaker:
Maria Tesoro
/ EMVN Chapters 4, 5 and 6 / ---
8 / Nov. 14
Kathy Van Ness
/ Budgeting
Mr. Richard Benbow, guest speaker / EMVN Chapters 12 -14.
Shafritz , Classics in Public Administration, articles identified on page v, Budgetary Process all. / ---
9 / Nov. 21
/ Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement / EMVN Chapter 17
Shafritz , Classics in Public Administration, articles identified on page vi, Program Evaluation all.
Galvan, Chapter 9 -10 and 13. / Pop Quiz
10 points
Nov. 28 / Thanksgiving Holiday / --- / ---
10 / Dec. 5 / Student Discussions in PA and Policy Literature / Literature review
AND
presentation to Guide authors (5 minutes/ student) / (30 points)
(10 points)
11 / December 11 / End of fall quarter / -- / 100 points
Literature Review:
The literature review is comprised of two sections: an introduction that defines the question, issue and topic and a discussion of the debate among scholars regarding the issue.
The outline for part 1 is as follows:
· Begin with an overview of the topic. In brief, what is the issue and how would an exploration of the literature contribute to our understanding?
· Explain the issue or problem:
o who thinks it’s a problem,
o where is it a problem,
o when did the problem emerge,
o how is the problem/ issue defined or what do key terms mean,
o what is the significance of the issue
o How might a literature review improve our understanding?
The outline for part 2 is:
o Provide a clear concise overview of what the literature discussion will be about.
o Use subheadings to identify where topics in the overview are expounded
o Make transitions from one theme or category to another
o Summarize and make concluding remarks. For specifics see Galvan’s Chapters 10 and 13.