PPPA 6001 Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service

Course Description

Introduction to the discipline of public administration. The intellectual traditions & theoretical frames of reference that inform public administration as a field of professional practice & study. Current & continuing challenges & controversies.

We designed this course to socialize you into the profession of public service & its oath, sometimes implicit, to uphold democratic values (& the governance system that supports these); & to strive for efficiency, effectiveness, equity, & citizen responsiveness. This course will also begin to prepare you for a career with impact.

My goals for you in this course are that you will:

• Gain a sophisticated understanding of & think strategically about how to navigate the complex contexts of public service & PA.
• Assess the meaning & contributions of PA & public service as a field of both study & practice.
• Appreciate the importance of human behavior, identity, & relationships in creating impactful & sustainable public service outcomes.
• Think beyond obvious technical solutions to focus on interventions that are feasible & sustainable;
• Develop the baseline skills for successful professional careers: professional writing & working in teams.

As a result of completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify & describe frameworks that define the roles & objectives of democratic PA.
• Select & apply the appropriate guiding frameworks to understand the contextual opportunities & constraints you will face in a particular PA challenge, including those related to the broader governance system, organization structure & policies, & human behavior.
• Commit to & effectively work in a team.
• Identify your preferences & work styles & situate yourself within the identity of a public administrator.
• Understand & analyze the complexities of the field, the people who work in it, & those we serve.
• Write & present as a manager/leader, succinctly making & supporting arguments, individually & in teams.