Introduction to Public Administration

Catalog description

Three lecture. Political context of American public administration, alternative frameworks for the analysis of the policy process in government agencies, the budgetary process, accountability and responsibility in government, bureaucratic politics, and administrative reform and reorganization. Students will be able to: basic missions of agencies – how well defined – what specific limitations; major policy issues a. posture of clientele groups b. response of agency to conflicting demands; significant changes in missions in response to environment; character of service supplied a. routine or unique b. service, regulation, extractive or income contribution; extent and effectiveness of planning–evidence for it; recent budgetary trends–upward, downwards and within budget categories; evaluations of performance; relationships vertically and horizontally within the agency relationship with the executive branch; character of the public service; principal agencies with which they must deal–dependencies and interdependencies; relationships with the legislature and its committees; major clientele groups with which it interacts and their character; relationships with public; extent of public attention–highly political or not.