Seminar in Administrative Theory -Fall 2014
(PA 642, section S1, Schedule Number 22492)
Thursday from 7:00 to 9:40 pm at Storm Hall -113
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Mounah Abdel-Samad, Instructor
Email: msamad@mail.sdsu.edu
Office number: 619-594-4724
Office location: Professional Studies and Fine
Arts (PSFA), Room 175
Office Hours: Thursday 6:00 to 6:50 pm and
Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm
You can contact me using email or phone; however, for a fast response please use my email. Use an
appropriate description of your email in the subject line and add to the subject line “Course number” in
order for me to recognize the email and not mistakenly consider it spam. Also please keep in mind that
I don’t check my email during the weekend so don’t worry if you don’t get an immediate response
during that period.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Description: Organization and management; the executive role, decision making; bureaucracy;
authority and power; communication and control and organizational system; tactics and strategies in
effective management.
This course will explain the dynamic context of public organizations, describe key dimensions of
organizing and managing, and examine strategies for managing and improving public organizations.
The course will link theories to the actual practice of organization management using real-life
examples in order to help students better grasp the material at hand.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are as follows:
●
Students will critically examine challenges facing public organizations, and the impact of
political power and public policy on these organizations.
● Students will locate the human element in public organizations.
● Students will examine the structure and design of public organizations.
● Students will apply theories and concepts of pubic management to real-world situations during
class discussion and through analysis of text and film.
REQUIRED READING and ELECTRONIC MATERIAL
Bolman, Lee G., and Deal, Terrence E. “Reframing Organizations: Artistry and Leadership”. JosseyBass Business Management Series. (4th edition or newer)
August 25, 2014
In addition to the “Reframing Organization” book, you will be able to buy all the assigned articles and
selection at:
To purchase the textbook, please follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Log on to https://students.universityreaders.com/store/.
Step 2: Create an account or log in if you have an existing account to purchase.
Step 3: Choose the correct course pack, select a format and proceed with the checkout
process.
Step 4: After purchasing, you can access a digital copy of the first few chapters (if you
selected a print format) or all chapters (if you selected a digital format) by logging into
your account and clicking "My Digital Materials" to get started on your reading right
away.
Print Price: $142.65
Digital Price: $128.39
*
Digital access: If you select a digital format, you will need an Adobe ID and the free
Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) software installed on your computer. Visit
https://students.universityreaders.com/store/digital_adobe for easy instructions and a
video walkthrough of the process. Once you download the digital pack you can access
it online or offline at any time on your computer, tablet or smart phone. You can also
annotate, highlight, and search the content. Printing is available from the first device
you use to access the content. Please note that the digital course pack expires after six
months.
Print orders are typically processed within 24 hours; the shipping time will depend on
the selected shipping method and day it is shipped (orders are not shipped on Sundays
or holidays). If you experience any difficulties, please email
orders@universityreaders.com or call 800.200.3908 ext. 503.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are expected to be punctual for classes and exams. They are also expected to turn off their cell
phones and to be courteous to their fellow students by not being disruptive. Failure to do so will result
in reduced grades and/or dismissal from class. Students are also expected to read the assigned readings
before coming to class.
On the other hand, students can expect the instructor to be on time for class, to be well prepared, and to
be ready to explain and re-explain any point that is not clear for students. The instructor will also be
present during his office hours and by appointment to help students in any area related to the course.
GRADING and TEACHING
Teaching methods will combine lecture, the use of movies, and class discussion. Students are expected
to participate. Please don’t exceed the recommended paper length.
August 25, 2014
Activity
Paper 1
Points
5 points
Description
Choose a public or not for profit organization
to research and provide a justification as to
why you chose it.
(One page single space)
Due Date
September 11
Paper 2
20 points
Report (5-10 double space pages). Present the
structure of the organization (chart), its
budget, service local government provides
online, information provided online, and
provide an analysis of what you find as
problematic or beneficial in this organization.
The analysis is based on the information
provided in the report, for example, you don’t
want to talk about motivation in this report.
October 2
Summaries
5 points
Summarize two articles for class
To be assigned
Discussion
10 points
Lead class discussion by developing questions
for the class.
To be assigned
Questionnaire 5 points
Develop questions to measure the
organization’s culture. You have to write
questions to measure or explore what kind of
culture an organization has.
October 23
Paper 3
20 points
Paper (10-12 double space pages). Describe
the culture of the organization and analyze its
impact on the organization (you can focus on
productivity, motivation, ext…)
December 4
Presentation
10 points
Present your paper to the class
To be assigned
Participation
15 points
Participating through thoughtful ideas and
comments
The whole semester
Case study
5 points
In class
First day of class
Case study
5 points
In class
November 13
Grading Scale
A
96-100
A90-95
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B80-82
C
CD+
D
D-
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
August 25, 2014
C+
77-79
F
below 60 points
ACCOMODATIONS
Students who need accommodations of their disabilities should contact me privately to discuss specific
accommodations for which they have received authorization. If you have a disability, but have not
contacted Student Disability Services at 619-594-6473 (Calpulli Center, Suite 3101), please do so
before making an appointment to see me.
In addition, I will make every effort to accommodate difficulties in attendance arising from religious
observance. You are asked to bring any possible conflicts to my attention as soon as possible. Students
should not expect, if they do poorly on an assignment/exam, to claim at that time the need for an
accommodation. This statement is to preclude that problem, and allow people with a need for
accommodations to be treated fairly and appropriately.
STANDARDS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT
The following behavior is subject to disciplinary sanctions:
● Dishonesty, including:
○ Cheating that is intended to gain unfair academic advantage.
○ Plagiarism that is intended to gain unfair academic advantage.
○ Other forms of academic dishonesty that are intended to gain unfair academic
advantage.
● Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior at a University related activity, or directed
toward a member of the University community.
● Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person within or related to the
University community, including
○ physical abuse, threats, intimidation, or harassment. .
○ sexual misconduct.
*
These Standards for Student Conduct are adapted from the full version of SDSU’s Standards for Student Conduct, Center for Student
Rights and Responsibilities: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/conduct1.html.
August 25, 2014
COURSE SCHEDULE:
P.S: This schedule is subject to change. When a change occurs, I will email you using blackboard,
please make sure you provided a working email to blackboard.
Dates
Reading
August 28
Introduction to the class
September 4
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Bolman and Deal
September 11
Scientific Management and Classical Management theorists
● Fredrick Taylor
● Fayol
● Gilbreth
September 18
Scientific Management/Human Relations
● Herbert Simon
● Weber
● Gulick
September 25
The Human Relations Frame
Chapters 6, 7, and 8 in Bolman and Deal
● Barnard
● French and Raven
October 2
The Human Relations Frame
● Maslow
● Kahn
● Tannenbaum and Massarik
●
October 9
The Human Relations Frame
● Homans
● Coch and French
● Feldman
October 16
The Symbolic frame
Chapters 12, 13, 14
● Trice, Harrison and Beyers, Janice
● DiIluio
● Goodsell
October 23
Questionnaire development
October 30
The Political Frame
Chapters 9, 10 and 11 in Bolman and Deal
● Mechanic
August 25, 2014
●
●
Kanter
Brower and Abolafia
November 6
The Political Frame
Selection from: Pfeffer, Jeffrey (1981). Power in Organizations
November 13
Case analysis
November 20
Presentation
November 27
Thanksgiving Break
December 4
Presentation
December 11
No class (exam week)
August 25, 2014