CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO

PPA 100:  Introduction to Public Policy and Administration

Fall 2002

Overview

This course will introduce you to public policy and administration and is the first course in the undergraduate minor.  It is designed to provide a set of knowledges, skills, and abilities that you can integrate with your major in a public service career.  We will explore with wide variety of opportunities available to recent graduates and the challenges they face.

Learning Objectives

This course is intended to:

• Enhance understanding of the complexities of the public policy/administrative arena
• Familiarize students with some of the different roles that people play in that arena
• Acquaint students with some of the key access points whereby young people can enter this arena
• Demonstrate the important analytical, administrative, and political work in which newcomers can engage
• Assist students in determining if they might want to pursue a career in this area
• Build skill at clear, concise writing
• Enhance ability to work effectively in a small group; and
• Sensitive students to ethical issues and challenges

Required Text:  Jay Shafritz and E.W. Russell, Introducing Public Administration, Longman-Addison-Wesley, 2003.

Reference Site:  Joint Legislative Committee to Develop a Master Plan for Kindergarten through Higher Education, The California Master Plan for Education:  Kindergarten through University, July 2002 Draft (available at www.sen.ca.gov)

Reference Site:  California Budget Project, 2002 Publications on Welfare Reform, (available at www.cbp.org)

Other reference sites will be offered after we determine other policy areas of interest to students enrolled in the class

Format

This course will feature a combination of lecture, seminar discussion, small group work, short presentations from guest speakers, student observations and interviews, and student presentations.  There will be a strong emphasis on active learning and student participation.

Assignments

SAC LINK account:  Several class sessions will be held in cyberspace.  It is necessary that you have a sac link account in order to access the WEB ct program which we will use on those, and other occasions.  If you do not have an account, you may secure an account on line at http://www.csus.edu/uccs/inetemail/saclink/  or go to the User Counter on the third floor of Sequoia Hall.  You must have the account before the September 12 WEB ct Orientation.

Attendance

Because this courses places a large emphasis on active learning, attendance is especially crucial.  Regular classroom attendance is therefore expected.  Except under unusual circumstances, a student who misses more than three  classes will be penalized in determining the class participation grade. 

Grading

Grades will be determined in accordance with the following weights:

         Papers                                      20% (5% each)
         Midterm exams                        30% (15% each)
         Group Project                          20%
         Class Participation                  10%
         Final Examination                    20%

Schedule

Public Policy and Administration and the California Context

9/3              Orientation and Syllabus Review
9/5              United States and California Context
9/10            Read Chapter I (note discussion questions at end of chapter)
9/12            Web Ct orientation:  Solano Hall 2003 Lab

Public Policy and Its Administration

9/17            Chapter 2
9/19            Interview Assignment Due
9/24            Chapter 4
9/26

Management and Administration

10/1            Chapter 5
10/3
10/8            Chapter 6
10/10       Midterm #1  (Chapters 12,4,5,6)

Strategic and Performance Management

10/15          Chapter 7
10/17       WebCt session - observation assignment due
10/22          Chapter 8
10/24

Leadership and Human Resource Management

10/29          Chapter 9
10/31
11/5            Chapter 10
11/7         WebCt session - election assignment due

Social Equity, Honor, Ethics, and Accountability

11/12       Midterm #2 (Chapters 7,8,9,10)
11/14          Chapter 11
11/19          Chapter 14
11/21          Ethics and Equity assignment due
11/26

Public Financial Management and Audit/Evaluation

11/28       Thanksgiving - no class
12/3            Chapter 12
12/5

Group Presentations

12/10
12/12
12/17   3-5 p.m. Final Examination

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