Courses

This course covers such topics as public sector organization theory and behavior at the micro and macro levels, networking, and interorganizational relations.

Technology and Public Administration explores the implications of information management technologies for public and nonprofit managers, including: the role of eGovernment, citizen engagement through Web 2.0 and social media, digital service delivery, cyber security awareness, the exploration of how policy and technology intersect, and how technology can be best managed through various governance models.

 Government and private organizations are recognizing the benefits of data driven decision making. As such, all business and strategic operations of this era are deploying technologies to improve data integrity in order to better serve its constituency. The course introduces various technologies public organizations may use to collect, manage, and disseminate information used to inform and administer public services.

The Arts and Culture of Public Service focus on the connection between arts and cultural program and community building, based on the perspective that arts and cultural programs can be a vehicle of community change and enhancement. This course will examine the role that arts and cultural programs played in community development and consider that arts and cultural programs a vital part of our public service commitment.

This course introduces students to the public policy process and to the institutions and actors involved. These include legislative bodies, chief executives, administrative agencies, courts, interest groups, advocacy coalitions, and the media. Students study the stages in public policymaking: identifying and describing public problems, agenda setting, policy decision-making, policy design, implementation, evaluation and policy learning. Activities in the course include policy development research, preparing policy memoranda, and policy analysis. On completing this course students are expected to be able to effectively use evidence to guide their participation in, and contribution to the policy process, with insight into different policy types and tools, while appreciating the relevance of context (social, economic, historical, political, and technological) toward developing effective policies.

This course will introduce students to the cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental elements and complexities of urban communities from a domestic and international perspective. Students will examine topics such as poverty, healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, employment opportunities, transportation networks, gentrification, and current social challenges. Through the lens of public service, students will explore the interconnectedness of world efforts in provoking the social, economic, and human service needs of local communities from an international comparative course of study.
Note: English Composition 355:101 and 355:102 recommended

(Course updated as of Spring 2025; Formerly known as Introduction to Public Administration)

This course introduces students to the field and profession of public administration. By covering the economic, political, and social dynamics within which governments and public organizations operate, the course allows students to develop a broad understanding of the public sector. Moreover, the course addresses several administrative, managerial, and political challenges facing public organizations and related to human resources, finances, program development and evaluation, strategic planning, among others. By completing this course, students gain an initial understanding of the functioning of government that is necessary to make adequate decisions and effect change as public administrators.

(Course updated as of Spring 2025; Formerly known as Introduction to Nonprofit Administration)

This introductory course will provide students with an understanding of the nonprofit sector in the United States and the distinct leadership and management challenges often faced by nonprofit managers. This course covers both general management practices that apply to all organizations such as marketing, strategic planning, human resources management, ethics, and financial accountability, as well as topics unique to nonprofit organizations such as board governance, volunteer management, advocacy, and fundraising.

(previously Administrative Transparency)

This course will address historical and current issues surrounding the concepts, theories, practices, and impacts of open government. A critical perspective on governmental transparency, accountability, and participation policies and reforms is presented. Students will learn the theory and art around accessing government information to inform their careers in government or nonprofit organizations. Students will be critical consumers of government information considering issues of politics, ethics, and inclusion to better understand what information is, and is not, readily available to them.