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URS 7380: Contemporary Management Issues
Dr. Donald E. Klingner
Fall 1998
Saturdays, 9:00-4:00 (selected days – see schedule)
305/919-5768 work phone; 305/919-5848 work fax
305/758-0856 home phone; 305/758-0148 home fax
klingner@fiu.edu
Objectives: The purpose of this course is to examine how current long-term changes in
the US economy have changed contemporary public management policy and practice;
and to evaluate the societal and organizational effects of these changes.
Format: This course will be conducted as an intensive graduate seminar. I will set
objectives and guide the discussion. You will be responsible for completing assigned
readings as scheduled, and for contributing to class discussions.
Office Hours: Immediately before and after class, or by appointment: School of Policy
and Management, College of Urban and Public Affairs (AC1-272), FIU, North Miami.
Requirements and Grades: You will be graded on attendance and class participation
(10%), an individual research paper (50%), presentation of the research paper (15%), and
a case study (25%).
1.
Attendance and participation will be evaluated on whether you attend class, and
the quality of your participation.
2.
The case study analyzes the effectiveness of a particular organization's handling
of a management issue (6-8 pages). It will usually be a current or previous
employer, since first-hand knowledge of the organization usually is necessary to
discuss the feasibility of proposed solutions, and means of overcoming
implementation problems. Be sure it includes the following information:
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Define the problem or situation (20% of your grade),
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Propose a solution (10%), and
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Tell what problems you would be likely to encounter in implementing
your proposed solution, and how you would overcome them (70%)

Include a reference list that cites all sources, including interviews, web
sites, and government documents
3.
The research paper will analyze an important policy issue, concept or research
problem in public or non-governmental management. I will need to approve the
topic in advance. It will contain the following elements: executive summary or
abstract, problem statement, literature review, analysis, conclusions and
recommendations, and a reference list. It will be 15-20 pages long; and will be
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evaluated according to the following criteria:
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4.
For a grade of C: repeat existing knowledge from lectures and assigned
readings, and include notes and bibliography following some accepted format.
For a grade of B: requirements for a grade of C will be met, and in addition
the paper will advance a coherent line of argument based on lectures, assigned
and optional readings, and Internet sources.
For a grade of A: requirements for a grade of B will be met, and in addition
the paper will combine your own insights with those of relevant scholarly
literature to demonstrate a personal view of the subject that is based on an
understanding of relevant theory and concepts.
The presentation is an individual report (30 minutes, including questions and
answers from the rest of the class) of the results of your research paper. It will
include the same elements as the paper itself. You will present it to the class
using PowerPoint or transparencies. You will prepare and distribute a one-page
summary for all students. This will generally be the same as your abstract or
executive summary.
I will review good quality first drafts of any research paper or case study given to
me at least one week prior to the due date. "Good quality" means that you have
written the analysis and conclusions, and include a reference list. I will give you
my comments on the paper over the phone so that you may, if you wish, revise and
improve it. The final copy is the one I will grade.
Books:
Condrey, Stephen, Handbook of Human Resource Management in Government. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1998.
Judy, Richard, and Carol D’Amico, Workforce 2020. Indianapolis: Hudson Institute,
1997.
Korten, David C. When Corporations Rule the World. New York: Kumarian Press,
1996.
Course Schedule
Date
Topic and Required Reading
Saturday, Sept. 12:
Introduction
The Forces Shaping the American Economy
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Read:
Judy and D’Amico, pp. xii-85
Korten, all
Changing Workforce Characteristics
Read:
Judy and D’Amico, pp. 87-119.
Condrey, articles 4-5.
Library Tour
Saturday, Sept. 19:
Changing Legal Requirements
Read:
Condrey, articles 7-11.
Changing Human Resource Management Structure
Read:
Condrey, articles 1-3.
Review and Discussion of Case Study Topics
Saturday, Sept. 26
Changing Human Resource Management Policy
Read:
Judy and D’Amico, pp. 121-141.
Condrey, articles 4, 12-18.
Changing Human Resource Management Practice
Read:
Condrey, articles 19-31 and conclusion.
Case Studies are due
Presentation and Critique of Research Paper Proposals
Saturday, Nov. 14
Presentation of Research Papers
Saturday, Nov. 21
Presentation of Research Papers (cont.)
Saturday, Nov. 28
Presentation of Research Papers (cont.)
Course Evaluation
All research papers are due
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