PLSC 270- Introduction to Public Administration
Fall 2014
Tuesday/Thursday 3:30 am-4:45 pm
Porter Room #202
Dr. Barbara Patrick
Office: Department of Political Science, Pray Harrold Hall
Office Hours: 1pm-4pm W
Phone734) 487-1453 or by appointment
E-Mail: bpatric1@emich.edu
REQUIRED TEXT:
J. Steven Ott and EW Russell (2001). Introduction to Public Administration: A Book of
Readings. New York: Longman Press
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of public administration. They
will be exposed to the operations and challenges found in the public sector. Topics of
discussion will include the history of public administration, public v. private
administration, organization behavior, executive, legislative, and judicial control over the
bureaucracy, public budgeting, hiring practices, and decision making.
Class Attendance and Etiquette:
Class attendance is very important. You have 3 absences, after the third absence your
grade will drop ½ a letter. Repetitive late arrivals will also result in an absence. If you
arrive late or must leave early it is your responsibility to inform me. Also it is very
important that you arrive on time on exam days. If you arrive after the first student
completing the exam has left the room, you will not be allowed to complete the exam.
Make-up exams are only given with adequate documentation at the end of the semester.
Class attendance on days that student present days is also very important. Failure to
appear on present days without an excused absence will result in a grade deduction. Late
arrivals on presentation days will also affect your presentation grade.
GRADING SCALE:
Administrative Project and Presentation: 25%
Class Participation and Assignments: 15%
Test One: 20%
Test Two: 20%
Test Three: 20%
Administrative Project
This project requires students to serve as investigative task forces that examine different
policy/administrative event. They will study the issue, examine previous responses, and
submit a proposal that will adequately address the problem. Proposals must be
politically, economically, and administratively feasible.
Students will be required to present their proposal to the class as well as submit a written
paper to the instructor. The paper should present a well established argument with
documented sources. It should not be a repeat of what has already been said and done. It
should present new ideas and arguments. It must include at least 10 scholarly sources.
Out of fairness to all students, I will not accept late assignments.
A list of possible topics is included below.
Topics:
*Hurricane Katrina (government respond/rebuilding the MS Coast and New Orleans)
*Downsizing the Government and Contracting Out Public Services
*E-Government (How can the government use technology to be more efficient; what are
the drawbacks?)
*America’s Aging Population (The Administration of the Obama Health Care Proposal)
*Prison Administration (Rehabilitation or Strictly Incarceration)
*Public Employee Accountability and Discretion (Advantages and Disadvantages to
Increased Discretion)
*Attracting and Retaining the Best and the Brightest
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week One (September 4, 2014)
Thursday- Introduction
Week Two (September 9-11, 2014) Defining Public Administration/Historical
Overview
Tuesday-Chapter 1
Thursday-Chapter 2
Week Three (September 16-18, 2014) The Practice of Public Administration
Tuesday-Chapter 2
Thursday-Chapter 3
Week Four (September 23-25, 2014) Reinventing the Machinery of Government
Tuesday-Chapter 4
Thursday-Chapter 4
Week Five (September 30-October 2, 2014) Intergovernmental Relations
Tuesday-Chapter 5
Thursday-Test One
Week Six (October 7-9, 2014) Management and Organizational Theory
Tuesday-Chapter 5
Thursday-Research Day Discussion
Week Seven (October 14-16, 2014) Organizational Behavior
Tuesday-Research Day
Thursday-Chapter 6
Week Eight (October 21-23, 2014) Performance Management
Tuesday-Chapter 7 (Research Proposal Due)
Thursday-Chapter 8
Week Nine (October 28-30, 2014) Strategic Planning and Management
Tuesday-Chapter 9
Thursday-Chapter 9
Week Ten (November 4-6, 2014) Leadership and Accountability/Personnel
Management and Labor Relations
Tuesday- Test Two
Thursday- Chapter 10
Week Eleven (November 11-13, 2014) Personnel Management and Labor Relations/
Social Equity
Tuesday-Chapter 11
Thursday-Chapter 12
Week Twelve (November 18-20, 2014)
Tuesday- Chapter 15
Thursday- Research Day
Week Thirteen (November 25-27, 2014) Honor and Ethics
Tuesday-Presentation
Thursday- Holiday
Week Fourteen (December 2-4, 2014)
Tuesday-Presentation Day (Paper Due)
Thursday-Presentation Day
Week Fifteen (December 9-12, 2014) Public Budgeting
Tuesday- Presentation Day
Thursday-Review Day
Final Exam- December 16, 2014 at 3-4:30pm
The instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus.