Foundations of Public Administration
Course Description
This course serves as an introduction to the study of public administration. During this course, the student will review the political and social theories of public administration. Students will review leadership, human resources, finance, and ethics within a public policy-making environment. Students will become familiar with the complex issues facing local, state, and federal public administrators today.
Topics and Objectives
Social and Political Theory in Public Administration
- Identify the major theories underpinning public administration in the United States.
- Describe the development of federalism and the relationships among the various levels of government in the United States.
Core Functions of Public Administration
- Compare and contrast the roles of administrators in the public and private sectors.
- Explain the role of planning in the public sector.
- Explain public budgeting and finance processes.
Leadership and Decision Making in Public Administration
- Determine the resources and constraints that distinguish public sector leadership.
- Explain how resources and constraints influence decision making.
- Outline the qualities of an effective leader in the public sector.
Current Public Administration Challenges and Complexities
- Analyze major trends in public policy issues.
- Evaluate government's ability to respond to changing and complex public policy issues.
Ethics in Public Administration
- Analyze the relationship between "doing well for government" and "doing the public good."