PUAD 5001 Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service

Course Description

There are challenges galore in public service but the rewards are just as plentiful. No other career offers the abundance of opportunities for making a real difference in the quality of life for families, communities, and the broader society, not only now but far into the future. Welcome to an exploration of these opportunities and to a better “feel” for the contributions you can make.

This course focuses on the pursuit of public purposes; it is an introduction to the work of public administration and a career in public service. We will focus on constitutional, democratic, and cultural tenets that frame notions of acceptable government action; intergovernmental and intersectoral relations in public service delivery; managerial, political and economic aspects of governance; links between law, policy, and management; the intellectual heritage of the field; and social equity as an imperative. To bring readings to life, we will use a contextual approach, relying on case analysis and discussions to boost your understanding.

By the end of the term, you should feel confident responding to these questions: What is public service? How does public service differ from a career in business? What is the role of nonprofits in public service delivery? What are the big challenges for public administrators? How does public opinion affect the work of public administrators? What skills are essential for public managers? Why is social equity so important? In order to answer these questions, along with many others, the course is designed to develop competencies shown in the left column of the table. The right column lists class activities designed to help you achieve them.