Public Administration 

Syllabus 

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the field of public administration.This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of the theories, history and practice of public administration in the United States. Topics covered include: the politics of administration, organization theory, intergovernmental relations, ethics, leadership, personnel, governmental decision making, and current issues in public policy, such as, privatization and deregulation.This course is designed to provide an overview of how public policies are designed, implemented and evaluated by federal, state, and local bureaucracies in the American political system.It provides both a theoretical foundation for understanding public administration and a practical overview of specific areas of public administration, such as human resources management, public budgeting, intergovernmental management, public policy implementation, and public policy evaluation. This course addresses where the bureaucracy fits into the public policy process in America and how external actors like interest groups, Congress, the President, and the courts influence public administration.
 

Course Objectives:

• Students should have an acquired knowledge of the basic the concepts, issues, and challenges facing public administrators in federal, state, and local governments.
• Students will have an understanding of the ethical obligations of public administrators to the American people and should be able to appreciate the proper behavior of bureaucrats in a democratic political system.
• Students will be able to compare and contrasts administration in the public and private sector.
• Students will know how the environment impacts public administration.
• Students will acquire knowledge of the current trends in public administration.
Assigned Reading:

Jay M. Shafritz and E.W. Russell Introducing Public Administration, Longman, 4th ed. 2005. 

Richard J. Stillman, Public Administration Concepts and Cases, 8th edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2005.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exams:
Three exams will be given.  All tests are essay tests.  An exam will be given after completion of each major section of the readings. 

Grades:
Grades are based on three in-class essay exams (each 30% of the grade), and participation (10%). The participation component comes from in-class discussions and participation in the listserv discussions. 

E-mail and Listserv:
This year we will use the Blackboard Website for a listserv and a bulletin board.  See the message on the Communication page.

Use of the Internet with this Course
The Internet will serve the following purposes:
 

1. Provide distribution of class handouts, review outlines and sample tests
2. Identify links to sites on the Internet that will be useful to students
3. Offer a way for students to comment on the contents of the course including the readings, lectures and class discussions
4. Provide a electronic method to post announcements, reminders and grades
5. Present an opportunity for students to participate in electronic discussions with students and the instructor
Office Hours:

Office Location:  Room 206, McNamara Hall 
Hours:    Monday        11:00 to 12:00 and 5:30 to 6:20 
              Wednesday   11:00 to 12:00 
              Friday           11:00 to 12:00 
Other times by appointment 

You can also reach me by using email either at Lewis or at home.  At Lewis send to:  gazianjo@lewisu.edu 
           At home send to:   gazianoj@comcast.net 
For the fastest results use the Lewis address on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and my home address on Tuesday and Thursday.