How can the institutions of American government be made responsive to the public, and what are the consequences of this responsiveness?  This course will attempt to shed some light on these questions by examining how these institutions work and have developed over time, thereby providing an introduction to key concepts and issues in public administration. Origins and development of administrative theory and practice will be discussed in the context of American politics.  The key role of the administrator in formulating and implementing public policy will be treated, with reference to current issues concerning:  bureaucracy, organization, leadership, ethical challenges, intergovernmental relations, labor-management relations, budgeting, professionalism, regulation, decision making, productivity and service quality in the public sector.  Problem preparation will be used to develop analytical skills and class discussion.

Required texts:  [Check out campusbookswap.com for used book price; maybe save money? Or consider sharing a book—and the purchase price—with a classmate? You can return the book you bought for a full refund if you do it soon.]

    Gordon & Milakovich, Public Administration in America, 10th ed. (2009)
    H. Kaufman, Red Tape (1977)
    Political Science Style Guide for Writing Papers (handout)
    Administrative Procedure Act (see assignment below in Required Readings list).

    Handout Problems:
                      Big Stink at Candlestick Cove
                      Seven Letters
                      California Highway Patrol
                      Garbage Collectors
                      Center City Fire
                      Marjorie Lynch, R.N.
                      The Branch Chief
                      Blast in Centralia # 5

You will be responsible on exams for all material (including problems) covered in assigned readings, a list of which is attached.

Course Requirements:

There will be a research paper, three short quizzes, a mid-term and a final exam with substantial emphasis on assigned readings/lecture.  The lowest one of three quiz grade will be dropped; only two quiz grades will count towards the final grade.  The first quiz is the third week of class. Exams will include essays and multiple-choice questions.  Make-up exams will be given only in cases requiring hospitalization, or if severe weather prevents class attendance.  If I have to be here, you do too (it's only fair).  If you'll be unable to attend an exam, you must notify the instructor in advance at the above phone number or email address.  If you miss a quiz, that one will be dropped.

What happens in class is important every day.  See if you can figure out why.  Attendance is obligatory for all sessions of the course.  Remember, in politics decisions are made by those who show up.  That means power comes to those who show up.  Happens here too.  Repeated absences are noticed.  In my education, I learned that learning is easier if you attend class.  Make your life easier: Get the habit, if you haven't already got it.

You should be prepared for class (e.g., read, think) every day, and especially for discussion of problems on the date assigned in the reading list.  Problem statements will be supplied in advance by the instructor.  Class discussion will be expected and will earn extra credit for borderline final grades.  There will be questions about the problems on the exams and quizzes.

Grades will be assigned on the basis of total points accumulated (not on the basis of a curve), as follows: A = 900 points, B = 800 points, C = 700 points, etc.

A final grade will be determined as follows:

              2 quizzes                    200 points (100 points each)
              Mid-term                   200 points
              Final exam                 200 points
              Paper reference list    100 points
              Term paper               300 points
                                             1000 points = 100% of final grade

When you learn to do research, you learn to teach yourself--a skill that will be valuable for life. You also get practice writing, something everybody needs.  The research paper will afford an opportunity to prepare an in-depth investigation of a topic in public administration, negotiated in advance with the instructor.  See chapter headings and subheadings in text for possible topics (e.g., affirmative action, comparable worth, reverse discrimination, budget deficits, bureaucratic ethics, etc).  I expect to see in the paper your well-informed and carefully reasoned opinions about the topic.  One-sided diatribes are not acceptable.  Thoughtful evaluations are appreciated.

A printed (not by hand, please) Reference List of at least ten references which may be used in the term paper must be submitted to the instructor in correct citation form (use Political Science Style Guide handout) by Oct. 20, demonstrating sufficient library research has been done to find required materials.  Include a sample parenthetical reference (author year, page) at the end of each one, as shown in the Style Guide.  Start soon and come to me early with any difficulties you may have locating references, so you'll have enough time to complete the paper. I'm glad to help you.

To earn a passing grade, the paper must be professional in appearance, approximately 15-20 typewritten pages (double-spaced) and must utilize (e.g., refer to it in the text using parenthetical reference form in Style Guide, p. 2, #9) at least ten references not in the assigned readings.  These references must be listed at the end of the paper, as described in the Style Guide p. 2, #10).  Consider:  Why is this paragraph in bold type?  Is it important?

Books, journal articles and government documents are preferred over news articles or popular news magazines because they are more scholarly. No more than one-third of the references may be interviews, Internet sources or news articles.  Articles from encyclopedias, Editorial Research Reports or other "digests" are not acceptable.  Emphasize learned, scholarly publications (i.e., does it include references?  If not, its probably not "scholarly").

Term paper and reference list assignments will be discussed in class in greater detail.  Due dates must be observed.  Late papers will receive significantly lower grades (minus one letter grade per day late).  Think about it:  The instructor has been teaching for many years, was a student for many years before that, and has either heard or used just about every excuse you can think up.  Consider:  If I can schedule doctor's appointments so I don't miss class for them, so can you.  Good students don't need excuses.  If reality intrudes, I'll be reasonable.  You must be too.

All written assignments must be handed in to the instructor on paper on the date due.  Due to lack of reliability of the USM email utility, written assignments will NOT be accepted via email.  Besides, if I had money to print them all, your tuition would be even higher.  No excveptions. Early use of Interlibrary Loan is recommended.  Handwritten papers are not acceptable.  It is expected papers will be free of typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors, consistent with University standards for English composition.  Take some pride in your work--it shows. Employers give raises for it. Learn to do it here.

Academic Support for Students with Disabilities

Every student is welcome in this class, and reasonable accommodations will be cheerfully made.  Those who may need assistance due to a disability are encouraged to contact the instructor and the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, located in Luther Bonney 242. Phone number:  780-4706; TTY:  780-4395.

A Note on Civility

Arriving late for class is rude and a distraction for your classmates and the instructor.  Likewise for falling asleep or talking in class to your neighbor while someone else is speaking.  Likewise if your cell phone rings during class.  These behaviors suggest one doesn't care about the class, the instructor, or one's fellow students--not a very clever message.  An ounce of courtesy is worth a pound of excuses.

Use a little common sense:  It's not very smart to irritate your class mates, or someone who will evaluate your performance for a grade, or might later write a letter of recommendation for your admission to graduate school or for a job.  I write great letters for good students.  Show respect for others, and they'll show respect for you.  Remember:  friends don't let friends drive with cell phones... And don't text while driving if you want to finish the semester. It's just stupid.

Class meetings will include a mixture of lecture and discussion.  It will be rewarding to keep up with reading assignments.  Missing dates below mean "more of the above."

READING ASSIGNMENTS

Sep 1         Introduction; Read this syllabus--it helps.
Sept 3        Milakovich & Gordon, Preface:  To the student, pp. iv-x; and Ch. 1
Sept 10      Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 2; Read the Style Guide (there may be quiz questions...)
Sept 17      QUIZ:  Milakovich & Gordon, Chapters 1 + 2
                  READ:  Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 3 (not on quiz)
Sept 24      Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 4
                  Start reading Kaufman (= ancient wisdom; discuss after midterm, below)
                  Problem:  Big Stink at Candlestick Cove (discussion)
Oct 1         Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 5,
                  Problem:  The California Highway Patrol (discussion)
Oct 13       NO CLASS!  Pretend you discovered something....
Oct 15       QUIZ:  Milakovich & Gordon, Chapters 3   5
                  READ:  Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 6 (not on quiz)
                  Problem:  Seven Letters (discussion)
                  Review Style Guide #10 for Reference List assignment due below
Oct 20       REFERENCE LIST DUE (late papers receive lower grades...)
                  Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 7
Oct 27       Problem:  Garbage Collectors (discussion)
                  Problem:  Center City Fire (discussion)
Oct 29      MIDTERM:  Everything to date
Nov 3       Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 8
Nov 10     Problem:  Marjorie Lynch (discussion)
                 Problem: The Branch Chief (discussion)
                 Kaufman, entire book (discussion)
Nov 17     Kaufman, again (discussion)
Nov 19     Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 9
                 Review Style Guide, #9, 10
Nov 24     RESEARCH PAPER DUE! (late papers really do receive lower grades...)
                 Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 10
Nov 26     NO CLASS:  Be Thankful!
Dec 1       QUIZ: Milakovich & Gordon, Chapters 9 10
                 Read:  Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 11 (not on quiz).
                 Administrative Procedure Act:  Find it, read it, hand in first page only in U.S. Code for
                 10 points bonus on final grade.  Later than class = no bonus!
Dec 3       Milakovich & Gordon, Ch. 12
Dec 10     Milakovich & Gordon, pp. 226-233; Reread it!
                Problem: The Blast in Centralia # 5 (discussion)
Dec 15    10:45am Tuesday (note different time), here, FINAL EXAM:  Everything to date.
                Plan on being here, no exceptions. Failure to attend the final exam period is grounds for
                failing the course.  Make your travel plans accordingly.  Study and you'll do well.