HS 360—Public Health Administration
M-W 12:45-1:45
CLK 139
Brother Tyler Watson
watsont@byui.edu
Office Hours --- M-W 10-12
Office – 145 K Clarke
Phone – x 4657
Required Text: Essentials of Management and Leadership in Public
Health. Burke, R. E., Friedman, L. H. (2011). ISBN: 978-0-7637-4291-1
ORDER ONLINE
YOU WILL ALSO NEED 1 BUNDLE OF 3X5 CARDS TO DECLARE YOUR
PREPARATION FOR EACH SECTION.
Book selection for book review:
Leadership and Self Deception— by The Arbinger institute - ISBN 9781576751749
OR
Lincoln on Leadership – by Donald T. Phillips – ISBN 0446394599
Introduction to the course
Administration of public health programs and departments requires a specific set of
skills. These skills are more closely related to business and management practice
than medicine and disease. They include navigating legal issues, managing
personnel, communicating effectively both inside the agency and with the public,
managing financial resources and how to be an effective leader.
The purpose of this class is to introduce some of these skills so that you will be better
able to be a leader AND a follower in public health settings. We will explore the
basic foundations, structure and functions of public health systems and then navigate
the intricacies of being a leader in public health today.
The class is not organized in a chronological manner… That is, we will not start with
a concept and then build throughout the course. Instead, I have focused on the
individual SKILLS that you will need. As such, the class will move from one skill to
another which will seem fragmented. The point is to instill these principles so that in
the end you will be a better trained supervisor, leader and follower.
If you clearly understand the underlying issues that management face, you will be a
better employee and eventually an exceptional leader.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify the 10 essential services of public health
2. Apply good personnel management principles
3. Understand how to conduct strategic planning and budgeting in a public
health setting
4. Apply political science theories when advocating for public policies
5. Use effective written and oral communication techniques
6. Exercise ethical behavior and discern how to effectively apply ethics when
faced with a dilemma
7. CHES competencies 5.1, 5.3, 5.4. and 5.5 are included
Learning Model:
Preparation: The preparation for this course includes completing the reading or
assignments BEFORE class. I will not be lecturing in the same way you may be used
to. The readings are intended to introduce you to the background of an issue. After
becoming acquainted with the literature, we will discuss why it is important and how
those issues will affect you in the work environment. If you do not come prepared
for class you will likely not feel like a part of the class. The different applications we
have in class will also require you to be familiar with the material in order to receive
points.
Teach One Another: Class discussion, small group assignments, and peer
evaluation will all allow you to solidify what we are learning by teaching others.
Ponder and Prove: At the end of the course you will have a number of problems to
address using the skills we practiced. I would advise that you do not wait to polish
these skills until finals time. Work on them with your roommates, work colleagues,
friends and in other classes. What we teach here is interrelated to other courses
AND life.
Class Policies:
Mutual respect: Public health/medical issues can, at times, be controversial.
Discussion of ethics, and policy proposals may be discussed in this class. Purposeful
and respectful debate help stimulate critical thinking and I encourage you to help
me create an exceptional learning environment. It is also important to remember
that academic debate does not necessarily reflect an individual’s personally
held opinion of a particular topic.
Attendance: For this class, attendance is mandatory. A portion of your grade
depends on your PREPARATION for the days material, but if you are not here, it will
be difficult for me to understand how prepared you are. PLEASE be here on time.
Discussion is the life blood of this course as we explore administrative issues
together. Please attend, on time, and prepared for the day.
Cell Phones: Please turn them off or silence them. They can be distracting to
you and others in the class.
University Policies: My goal is to help you become the best professionals
possible. I will therefore diligently work with you to uphold the standards you
have committed to.
Services for Students with Disabilities: The BYU-Idaho catalog (page 55)
addresses the needs for services for students with physical and academic
disabilities. If you have any specific needs that relate to this policy please
discuss them with me either in my office or through e-mail.
Academic Honesty: BYU-Idaho students should seek to be totally honest in
all their dealings. They should complete their own work and be evaluated for
that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its
forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification,
cheating, and other academic misconduct. (BYU-Idaho Student Catalog, pg 45,
BYU-I Honor Code)
Dress Code: The dress and grooming of both men and women should always
be modest, neat and clean, and consistent with the values and principles of
Brigham Young University–Idaho and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Please know that I will ask you to abide by the dress and honor code.
Good taste, common sense, discretion, consideration, and high moral
standards are the watchwords for dress and grooming. Flagrant behavior or
extreme dress and grooming at any time or in any place may result in a
review of the individual’s understanding of the expected behavior or
grooming. Clothing is to be modest in fabric, fit, length, style, and
appropriate for the occasion. Men’s and women’s dress should be reflective
of their gender, while excessive or extreme styles should be avoided. For
women, wardrobe selection should reflect modesty and femininity becoming
a Latter-day Saint woman. For men, clothing should reflect good taste and
masculinity becoming a priesthood bearer.
Please make sure you have read and understand the policies in the undergraduate
catalog
Grading: Students will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An “A” is a grade
of merit and will take dedication to coursework and mastery of subject matter. Just
completing the minimum expectations does not denote “A” effort. You will need to
take the time to study, apply, and understand these topics (such that you could teach
a section of this course on your own) in order to get an A. The grading system for
this class is below.
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
Failing = < 60
Assignments:
Tests (100 points)
You will have two exams. As you can tell it is only a small portion of the overall
grade, but will allow you and me to evaluate how well you have learned and applied
the information from the course. You can expect about four or five scenarios after
which you will answer questions that will gauge your understanding of the subject.
Book review (50 Points)
You will select one of the books listed in this syllabus and read it. After reading it,
you will complete a book review (not a book report) according to the outline you can
find on ILEARN. You need to spend MUCH more time on the application and critique
than the book story. This assignment is intended to help you move beyond your
reasoning as a student and begin to think like a leader.
Resume and cover letter (20 points—15 for resume 5 for cover letter)
I think our job as faculty is to prepare you for the workforce. Therefore, you will
complete a resume and cover letter for a SPECIFIC JOB that you would like to apply
for. You will find that CURRENT job listing and then apply for it.
Communication assignments (20 points each)
Communication skills are the heart and soul of being a good employee. You will
complete 2 communication assignments. You will draft a press release AND
complete an internal memo.
Mock discipline session (20 points possible)
One of the most difficult activities administrators have is personnel counseling. I will
show you how to do this, and then you will counsel your peers in a case session.
During this counseling session your peers will be rating your performance. YOU
WILL WANT TO PRACTICE THIS ACTIVITY PRIOR to the assessment.
Incident Command Certification (50 Points)
This certification is a great value in understanding command and control during a
crisis. It is also a marketable tool for you in the future. You will have to complete the
course online and pass the test… A copy of your certification will be your evidence
of completion.
Case studies (20 points each)
If you are not in class on the day we complete or turn in the case study you will not
receive credit. Please do not expect me to adjust this policy for personal conflicts. If
you have a conflict TALK TO ME BEFOREHAND and suggest YOUR OWN SOLUTION.
As future leaders we need to present solutions not just problems.
Preparation and participation
I will award preparation and participation points in this class. These will be given
for each section of the course. I will award 10 points for students who declare they
are prepared for class, 4 points for those not prepared and 1 point for those who
come in late. To encourage an honest assessment, I will ask discussion questions
starting with random students who declare they are prepared.