Course Summary:

Analyzes the nature of public administration, its structure and limitations; includes staff organization and chain of command, unemployment policies, personnel training and management, employees, organizations, and public relations

Course Objectives:

• Explain what encompasses the field of public administration
• Explain what it means to be a public administrator
• Acknowledge that public administration is a wide-ranging and complex subject that involves core activities of government
• Explain the core activities provided by highly trained public administration experts and specialized organizations
• Explain the core purpose of public administration
• Recognize that public administration encompasses a large and dynamic portion of government at all three levels of the federal system, engaging even in nonprofit and private enterprise

Course Outline

Overview of Public Administration

• Define public administration
• Explain the functional responsibilities within the public system
• Discuss the concepts of democratic rule
• Discover the similarities and variations between private and public business
• Define the responsibilities of the public administrator
• Discuss some of the broad challenges of public administration

The Political Context of Public Administration

• Understand how political dynamics affect the functionality and administration of public programs
• Recognize and comprehend the different levels of government – federal, state, and local
• Define and discuss the different types of city structure and management
• Understand the policy process through various levels of government
• Develop a sensitivity to the political process

Interorganizational Context of Public Administration

• Discuss the relationships between government entities
• Explain the history of the federal/local government relationship
• Discuss the interactions of government and nonprofit organizations
• Develop an understanding of the grant process and network
• Relate the changing roles of government, public policy, and the effects on nonprofits and social service organizations
• Develop an overview of management and operational characteristics of nonprofits

Designing and Managing Organizations

• Distinguish the development and application of general organizational and management practices
• Comprehend the decision-making process within the governmental arena/shifting priorities
• Identify and understand the organizational culture and learning
• Differentiate the functions of management as defined by Fayol and Gulick

The Management of Human Resources

• Develop an understanding of employee selection, hiring, and development in the public sector and our system of merit versus spoils-based employment/governmental relations
• Grasp the application of the Civil Service Reform Act and the changes such legislation achieved
• Identify assessment and accountability within the governmental structure
• Outline management/labor relations and issues in government
• Explore civil rights and Americans with Disabilities Act
• Explain discriminatory practices

Leadership and Management Skills in Public Organizations

• Discuss the concept of leadership versus management, structure, and power
• Define the five bases of social power
• Relate effective knowledge of communication and the application of appropriate practices
• Develop a concept of delegation, motivation, and goal setting
• Explain the dynamics of group interactions and decision making versus individual decision processes
• Develop a process for resolving conflicts and negotiating/bargaining
• Ethics of Public Service

Discuss the definitions of right and wrong and the ethical questions posed in public service

• Explain what is meant by morality and ethics
• Explain how a public manager interacts with elected officials
• Develop an understanding of the challenges of following orders versus doing the right thing, whistle blowing, and conflicts of interest
• Explain the intent and importance of the Hatch Act

Administrative Reform and Technology

• Explain the perceived weaknesses of government and why it needs to be reformed
• Discuss how MBO affects operations
• Relate the impact of technology on operations and service
• Discuss how quality circles can improve problem solving and service delivery
• Explain how recognition programs affect quality and productivity
• Develop an appreciation for the human side of technological improvements

Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

• Develop an understanding how public policies and programs are conceived, defined, and implemented
• Conceptually understand the planning process in general and as it applies to public service
• Understand program and process evaluation and the differences between the two
• Understand how human interaction in the planning process affects the outcome
• Utilize PERT/CPM techniques theory for implementation of public programs

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Develop an understanding of what fiscal policy is and how it can influence the economy
• Explain the budgeting function in a public agency
• Determine, from the federal perspective, the sources of revenue and the impact of expenditures
• Develop a broad understanding of various taxes employed at different levels of government and determine whether they are progressive or regressive
• Compare from a state and local perspective, the sources of revenue and the impact of expenditures
• Learn to use the budget as a managerial tool
• Develop a comprehension of how the fiscal year and budget cycle work
• Discuss the importance of auditing
• Develop an understanding of risk management and risk mitigation
• Become familiar with the budget systems government can employ
• Recognize the types of funds used in public agencies

The Future of Public Service

• Explain the importance of delivering quality public services
• Discuss the challenges of attracting qualified personnel to government positions
• Synthesize the current identified trends in the public sector
• Develop an awareness of the role of technology in the public work environment
• Define the evolving role of citizens in the governance process
• Recognize the growing role of ethics in public service going forward