San Jose State University
MPA Program

PolS 114: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 24 - December 14, 2006

INSTRUCTOR: Frances L. Edwards, M.U.P., Ph.D.
OFFICE: Clark 402-D
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm
OFFICE PHONE: (408) 924-5559
EMAIL: pols114@yahoo.com

Course Description:
A broad overview of public administration, including policy analysis, budgeting, personnel, organization, leadership, decision making, and ethics, in a political environment. The theory and application of public management practices at all levels of government to affect public policies.

Methods:
This seminar will emphasize students' critical analysis of readings and application of theory to real situations. In addition to readings and class discussion, methods include lectures, case study projects, document analysis, and program review. Class participation is valued because every member of the class is a resource to the group's learning. Experience is respected.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how the elements of American government work together to deliver public services and programs
2. Understand how public agencies and programs are financed
3. Understand how public personnel policies differ from private personnel policies
4. Understand the role of stakeholders in public administration
5. Understand how government organizations relate to private and non-governmental organizations.

Required Readings:
Donald F. Kettl and James W. Fesler, The Politics of the Administrative Process, 3rd edition, Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2005.

David H. Rosenbloom and Robert S. Kravchuk, , Public Administration: Understanding Management, Politics and Law in the Public Sector, 6th edition, Boston: McGraw Hill, 2005.

Ronald D. Sylvia and Kathleen M. Sylvia, Program Planning and Evaluation for Public Managers, 3rd edition, Prospect Heights IL: Waveland Press, 2004.

Resources:
San Jose State University Library has research tools. One class session will be devoted to an introduction to the research support and literature resources available through the library. All students are expected to be familiar with these research tools, and to access them to support required research activities.

ADA Accommodation:
"If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special accommodations in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with DRC to establish a record of their disability." http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S05-14.pdf

Academic Integrity:
Your own commitment to learning, as demonstrated by your enrollment at SJSU, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf.

"Of course, if you buy or borrow a paper from another you will be looked upon as a person without honor and dealt with accordingly. (Even your tearful parents, significant others or organized hate groups will not save you)," quoted from Dr. Ron Sylvia!
IF YOU CHEAT, PLAGARIZE, FAIL TO ATTRIBUTE DIRECTLY COPIED MATERIAL, BUY A PAPER, USE SOMEONE ELSE'S PAPER OR IN ANY OTHER WAY VIOLATE THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY, YOU WILL FAIL THIS COURSE, regardless of previous standing!

Make-up Policy:
Serious personal illness that can be documented is the only acceptable excuse for not taking exams or presenting papers on time. If you are ill, however, you can arrange to take the exam at a later date, but the content will be different. Incompletes are discouraged.

Grading Components
Participation/In class cases 20 points
Mid Term Examination 35 points
Term Paper/Presentation 45 points
100

Extra credit for joining ASPA - 5 points (www.aspanet.org)

A+= 98 and over A=93-97 A- = 90-92 B+= 88-89 B = 83-87 B- = 80-82
C = 75-79 D = 70-74 F = 69 and below

Participation:
Students may be called upon by name to address concepts from the readings. Students should take the time and effort to read the materials when they are assigned, and be prepared to actively participate in discussion of the topics, using both citations of the readings and their own defended views. Regular attendance is expected and will enhance your grade simply because you will have knowledge necessary to pass the test that might not otherwise be available except from class discussion.

Mid term:
Will be directly tied to the lecture/discussion and the texts. More credit will be given for analysis and synthesis on the exam than on the mindless listing of facts and dates. The best essay exams address the questions as written and reach some sort of logical conclusion. One cannot achieve a grade of A on an exam without citing the readings.

One sheet of notes, doublesided, is permitted. Bring a blue book (s) and 3 pens or pencils. No other books, backpacks or briefcases will be permitted in the classroom during the exam.

Alternative: Any student may choose an alternative to the midterm exam. The student may choose to write a 3-5 page paper on each of any 4 in class cases covered up to the midterm. The format is a brief summary of the case, an answer to each of the questions posed in the book, and a conclusion stating your personal conclusion from the case/its application to your role as a public administrator. THE CASES MUST BE TURNED IN THE CLASS BEFORE THE MIDTERM TO COUNT.

Paper:
LIBRARY CLASS, AUGUST 29. MEET AT THE INFORMATION DESK AT ML KING LIBRARY NO LATER THAN 1:25 PM.

Students of public administration are generally preparing for a career in a public agency. Most public agencies rely on written communication almost exclusively. The ability to write in clear, grammatical English is a prerequisite for success. Most public agency positions require reports based on defensible research. Graduate education should prepare the student for meeting these career expectations. Therefore, the paper will follow the public report format (attached) and address a public management issue. Spelling and grammar count! Some useful guidelines are attached.

Paper requirements:
Papers should be15 pages double-spaced word processed or typewritten. Papers should be based on at least 5 references (not including the textbooks), including at least 2 from the academic or analytical literature of the last 5 years. The topic must be on an aspect of Public Administration from the attached list. If you have a different topic you would like to research that would be useful in your job, request permission from the instructor. You will select your topic on the first day of class, so that you will get the most benefit from the "library day."

Students must take care that appropriate citations are used. Direct quotations must be so indicated with quotation marks and a specific reference to the page in the source from which it was taken. Ideas from others must also be referenced although quotations marks are inappropriate. Failure to cite your sources constitutes academic misconduct which carries with it serious sanctions. A tutorial on citations is available at the library website, and will be reviewed on 8/29 at the library.

We will spend a part of a class session going over the public report format, which is attached. Paper sources must be from the literature of the social sciences or daily newspapers. Journal articles are preferable to books for two reasons. 1) The information is more up-to-date and usually more scholarly. 2) Using articles will make your paper writing much easier. Also welcome are citations of current government reports and publications that are available on the Internet. We will spend AUGUST 29 class at the Library learning about their resources for research.

Reading List and Class Schedule:
August 24, 2006
Introductions, personal goals and objectives, review of syllabus and class requirements, including writing a research paper.

Introduction to Public Administration:
Rosenbloom 1-45, Kettl 1-24
" In class discussion: What are the major challenges facing public administration today and how well can the traditional approaches serve the current needs?

August 29, 2006
Research Methods, ML King

August 31, 2006
Good Writing At The College Level

George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," 1946
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm
" Discussion: why does good writing matter to a public administrator? What other language issues matter? What other communications issues are important? Why does plagiarism matter in the workplace?

September 5 & 7, 2006
History, origins, underlying principles of public administration:
Rosenbloom: 45-96
" Discussion: Why does management theory play such a transcendent role in early theories of public administration? What is the appropriate balance between democracy and efficiency? If the trains run on time what difference does democracy make? If their stomachs are empty will they care? When the politicians are wrong and running the whole thing into the ground, should bureaucrats, as responsible citizens, standby and/or just follow orders?
" In class case: Kettl Case #1, 473 ff

September 12 & 14, 2006
Federalism and Public Administration
Rosenbloom 98-138, Kettl 27-38, US Constitution and Bill of Rights, http://www.usconstitution.net/const.txt, "McCain at Reagan Library," http://www.straighttalkamerica.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=46

" Discussion: What is the role of the federal government? What is the role of the state government? What is the role of county government? What is the role of municipal government? Do you agree or disagree with Senator McCain?
" In class case: Kettl Case #2, 477 ff

September 19 & 21, 2006
Ethics of Public Administration:
Rosenbloom: 515-558, Kettl 406-414, Riordan, Plunkett of Tammany Hall, http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/plunkett-george/tammany-hall/index.htm

" Discussion: Is the public service a public trust, or are public managers subject to the same opportunities and constraints as the rest of society? What about if you live and work in the same place? Are you constrained from using insider information to better your private property position, or what do you owe to your family? Are you constrained from using your knowledge to help a friend who is in business to get in ahead of the competition, while still following all of the purchasing rules? What is honest graft versus dishonest graft? Do elected officials have a different standard than appointed officials? What do you do if you believe that an elected official is making a decision based on biased information? On incorrect information? For political gain? What is the proper role of the professional vis a vis the elected official? What about lobbying local officials on behalf of a community group/NGO? On behalf of a developer? On behalf of an employee union?
" In class case: Kettl #14, p. 522 ff

September 25, 2006
7-9pm, Ethics Panel: attendance encouraged
" Prof. Ken Yeager, Prof. Lawrence Quill, Prof Frannie Edwards, Dustin DeRollo, and a representative of the media
" 5 points extra credit for a 2 page paper summarizing the highlights of the panel, with a conclusion stating your own perspective.

September 26 & 28, 2006
The Ethics of Decision Making:
Rosenbloom 312- 349, Kettl 227-258, Sylvia: 25- 50
" Discussion: What is the role of the administrative professional versus the politician? How should the needs of pressure groups be balanced against other considerations? What is the proper role of the media - information or opinion formation, gatekeeper? How does the politics of the paper relate to the politics of the community? Are you electing the conscience of the person, or electing their biases?
" In class case: Kettl # 9, p. 503ff

October 3 & 5, 2006
Organization theory and applications:
Rosenbloom 140-199, Kettl 51-79, Sylvia: 3-24 and 87-111
" Discussion: How much does how we are organized matter? Is what we are looking at a system or management by peculiarity? How do we balance efficiency and democracy?
" In class case: Kettl # 3, p. 408ff

October 10, 2006
Non Governmental Organizations and Public Administration
Guest Speaker: Tim Quigley, Executive Director, Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley

October 12, 2006
Non Governmental Organizations Field Trip/Service Learning
Students who are able are welcome to go to the Volunteer Center for lunch at noon.
Class will be held at the Volunteer Center from 1:30 - 3pm
Students who are able are encouraged to stay at VCSV for the afternoon.

Service learning: students are encouraged to bring a laptop computer. The class will be placed in teams and assigned a telephone and given an Excel spreadsheet. The teams will call down a list of local NGOs to confirm their contact information and services, and will enter the data into the Excel spreadsheet. This information will be used to develop a training program for local first responders on the NGOs available to serve the immediate needs of people in crisis.

Students who have 3pm classes should contact the instructor for alternate plans.

October 17 & 24, 2006
Management and Leadership:
Rosenbloom 312-348, Kettl 107-135
" Discussion: Are Leaders only who followers follow? Or are they those who move the organization towards its goals? What does this have to do with those in formal positions of authority?
" How is management and motivation of public employees different from the private sector? How have public employee unions impinged on public management and merit systems?
" In class case: Kettl # 5, p. 488ff

October 19, 2006: NO CLASS, RESEARCH DAY

October 26 & 31, 2006
Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation:
Rosenbloom: 350-389, Kettl 295-331, Sylvia: 111-163
" Discussion: How are we doing? Must we measure outcomes or is doing it according to the rules enough? What measures provide the best feedback: time, quality, customer satisfaction, cost? How much truth should professionals be allowed to state publicly? Where do policy and implementation meet or collide?
" In class case: Kettl # 11, p. 510ff

November 2, 2006 - MIDTERM

November 7 & 9, 2006
Public Budgetary Systems:
Rosenbloom: 259-310, Sylvia 163-189, Kettl 261-292
" Discussion: Is the budget a rational decision making system or a format for political debate or both? What role can public administrators be expected to play in such a system? How do we integrate "Demand Management?" How does politics impact budgeting? Prop 13 impacts versus millage systems? Role of the business community in public budgets? What is "truth"?
" In class case: Kettl #10, p. 507ff


November 14 & 16, 2006
Human Resource Management, Unionism and Affirmative Action:
Rosenbloom: 201-258, Kettl 163-193, 195-221
" Discussion: How is management and motivation of public employees different from the private sector? How have public employee unions impinged on public management and merit systems? How do public safety unions differ from civilian unions? How do AFL/CIO unions differ from local employee organizations?
" In class case: Kettl #7, p. 496ff

November 21, 2006
Being a Bureaucrat
Kettl: 393-405
" Doing good versus doing well: Satisfaction and frustration in public service, impact of term limits, Prop13, increased burdens of federalism

November 23, 2006 - NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING!!

November 30, 2006
Being a Bureaucrat:
" In class case: Kettl # 12, p. 514ff

December 5, 7, 12, 14/final day, 2006
Student Paper Presentations

Research Paper Topics PolS 114
Because the text focuses on federal public administration, the research papers will have a local government focus. Resources include academic journal articles, academic analytical books, staff reports on the topic, newspaper articles and editorials about the topic, and interviews of elected and appointed officials familiar with the topic.

1. City management form of government - origins and implementation in San Jose
2. Strong mayor form of government - San Diego's recent experience
3. Proposition 13 and public budgeting in California (you may select a local government as an example)
4. North First Street development - support and opposition
5. Coyote Valley Development - support and opposition
6. BART to San Jose - support and opposition
7. State-based solar power subsidy - costs and benefits
8. City subsidy for Champ Car Race 2006 - costs and benefits
9. Strong Neighborhood Initiative - costs and benefits (you may select one neighborhood as an example)
10. Impact of term limits on public management
11. Illegal immigration - impacts on local government
12. Drug law enforcement - impacts on local government

Research Paper Guidelines:
Write a 15 page (double spaced) report using standard academic format, including footnotes and bibliography/ sources consulted.

The paper will have the following topic headings used as dividing points within the paper:
" Background: description of issue (not to exceed 4 pages)
" Analysis: the impacts of this issue in the context of the political situation, community situation, societal concerns, preceding/ existing policies or programs (2-4 pages)
" Budgetary impacts: costs and benefits of this policy (1-2 pages)
" Public outreach: was the public involved in this decision? If so, how? If not, who made it and how was the public informed? Was there a Council presentation or discussion? Was there a vote taken in public? If so, was the voting body split or unanimous? (2-3 pages)
" Conclusion: who were the stakeholders involved in the policy making and how was the balance of power represented in the final policy development outcomes. (1-2 page).

The paper will be evaluated using the following criteria:
a) The professionalism with which the report is presented: clarity, appearance, grammar, spelling.
b) The comprehensiveness and care with which the policy being analyzed is described.
c) The demonstration of understanding of relevant concepts that can be used to explain the topic and its context, impact and policy outcomes.
d) The quality of analysis linking class discussion and readings to the topic.
e) The appropriateness of the references selected and the analytical bridge to the paper topic.

Topics will be selected from the list above. Students may suggest additional topics of particular interest to them, which may be permitted at the instructor's discretion.

Once all topics are selected, up to 2 other students may work on a topic. EACH STUDENT WILL WRITE AN INDEPENDENT PAPER, but the class presentation should be based on a joint PPT, and selection of the individual topic elements to be presented by each student.

Spelling and Grammar Guidance:

1. Never use a long word when a short word will do. (George Orwell)

2. Never use "etc." in a professional paper. It is meaningless. If you want to indicate that your list is only part of a larger potential list, say, "grapes, peaches and pears, for example," or "among other things," or a similar phrase.

3. Use your grammar checker, THEN proof read to be sure you selected the right usage in context.
a. Be careful of the "passive voice rule." It is often appropriate, and if it should be changed to active voice, the suggested wording almost never makes sense.
b. Never use "change all" for a grammar rule, as it will lead to odd usages. Just read each suggestion and decide whether to change based on each sentence.

4. Use your spell checker, THEN proof read to be sure you selected the right word in context.

5. Check to be sure you are using the right homonym:
a. Their, there
b. Right, wright, rite, write
c. Sight, site, cite
d. Its, it's

6. Do not use contractions in formal writing unless it is a direct quote.
a. Don't
b. Can't
c. It's
d. Won't
e. And all the others!

7. Check on capitalization. A sentence begins with a capital letter, as does a proper name of someone or someplace or an organization. Federal, state, city and local are only capitalized if they start a sentence or are part of a title or proper name. The federal government is not a proper name but the United States Government is, for example.

8. If you want to use an abbreviation or acronym (e.g., FEMA), be sure to spell it out the first time you use it. For example, "When James Lee Witt was head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), he came to San Jose. He wanted to show FEMA's support for Mayor Susan Hammer."

______
TO: Dr. Frances L. Edwards FROM: Joe Student
PADM 295

DATE: December X, 2006 SUBJECT: Your Topic
______

Background

description of issue (not to exceed 4 pages)

Analysis

the impacts of this issue in the context of the political situation, community situation, societal concerns, preceding/ existing policies or programs (2-4 pages)

Budgetary impacts

costs and benefits of this policy (1-2 pages)

Public outreach

was the public involved in this decision? If so, how? If not, who made it and how was the public informed? Was there a Council presentation or discussion? Was there a vote taken in public? If so, was the voting body split or unanimous? (2-3 pages)

Conclusion

who were the stakeholders involved in the policy making and how was the balance of power represented in the final policy development outcomes. (1-2 page).