Foundations of Public Administration

Catalog description

PADM 800 is an overview of the study and practice of public administration and non-proft management. It gives students an overview of the basic concepts and issues in the field, including theories of organization, public policy, public management, decision making, public law, program implementation and evaluation, and ethics, and notes how the field has developed over time. Students develop skills in decision making, and in appreciating the multiple perspectives, values, and ethical challenges of public service. The course shows the interrelationships of organizations, public policies, and management activities within the public sector, including the role of nonprofit organizations in delivering services to the public. Theories from social psychology, economics, political science, jurisprudence, ethics, and organizational studies are covered to illustrate the range of ideas used in governance and management. Contemporary efforts to reform organizations and management activities are assessed, and future directions in which the field is likely to head are considered.