SYLLABUS

Course Number: PAD 3003

Course Name: Introduction to Public Administration
Semester: Spring 2020
Credit Hours: 3 credit hours
Length of Course: 16 Weeks
Prerequisite: None

Course Description

This course examines the role of public administration and public policy at the
local, state, and federal levels, and explores the history, principles, constraints,
and practical concepts of public administration. It also introduces the formulation
and implementation of public policy and explores the difference between public
agencies and other organizations.

This is a hybrid course meaning that it will have in-class and online sessions.

Course Rationale

At the completion of this class a student will

1. Have a broad overview of the field of public administration
2. Gain experience in academic research and writing
3. Be able to analyze and evaluate public administration case studies which
include difficult and complex decision-making.
4. Be able to recognize the context and history of public administration in the
United States and examine the role of leaders and leadership in the public
sector.
Course Learning Objectives

1. Recognize and understand issues of diversity in public administration and

how diversity impacts organizational behavior
2. Describe how organizational behavior in the public sector differs from
organizational behavior in the private sector
3. Defend the complexities of managing human resources in the public
sector.
4. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and

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 electronically.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the different components of
organizational behavior
6. Analyze and evaluate organizational behavior case studies which include
difficult and complex decision-making

Course Resources
Textbook(s) - (available at IRSC bookstore):

Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E. W. Borick, C. P., Hyde. A. C. (2017). Introducing Public

Administration, 9th Edition. Pearson ISBN: 978-7-138-66634-4. (Note that
in the weekly assignments, this book is referred to as Shafritz)

Shafritz, J. M. and Borick, C. P. (2010). Cases in Public Policy and Administration.

Longman. ISBN: 9780205607426 (Note that in the weekly assignments,
this book is referred to as Shafritz and Borick)

Course Requirements

This course consists of a series of activities and assessments to assist you in

achieving the outcomes/objectives for the course and instructional
units/modules. Each week you will work on various combinations of assignments,
activities, discussions, readings, research, etc.

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Grades and Grading Scale
Assignment of letter grades is based on a percentage of points earned. The letter
grade will correspond with the following percentages achieved. All course
requirements must be completed before a grade is assigned.

A 100 - 90
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F 59 - and below

Point Value/
Assignment Name Percent of Course Grade
Discussion Questions Online Only 25%
Research Paper 25%
Weekly Quizzes 25%
Reflection Paper 25%

Discussion Questions (Only for Online Modules)

A significant opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and critical thinking is provided

in the weekly discussion questions. The discussion question will be posed by the
instructor to start a threaded discussion and will comprise 35% of your final
grade.

Following is a detailed description of the requirements, expectations, and

guidelines for answering the weekly discussion questions:

Each week’s discussion question will include questions pertaining to assigned

readings and key concepts or issues covered in the weekly readings. At a
minimum, you are required to post an original response to each of the
questions and post at least two (2) replies per question. This means for
each question you will have a minimum of three posts. Do not cut and paste
from the internet because this is not original work. The required length for your
original postings will be a minimum of 100 words. Replies to other students’
postings will be at least 50 words. Your posts should include information from
the text or other course materials.

Questions will open for discussion on Sunday morning at 12:00 am and can be
found under the lessons tab for each module. Your original post is due by 8:00
pm on Wednesday of each week. Your two responses are due by Saturday at
11:59 pm. Please see weekly assignments in Content Area of Blackboard for the
weekly discussion question(s).

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Research Paper

Each student will be responsible for writing an original academic research paper
about public administration topic. Research will include at a minimum four
academic journal articles. Each student can select any topic that they want
as long as it relates to the course material. If anyone would like suggestions, the
instructor will be glad to help.

The paper should be 6-8 pages not including the cover or reference pages It
should be double-spaced with one inch margins and 12 point font. The paper
should conform to APA publication standards.

Quizzes:

There will be weekly quizzes that cover the material discussed that module in
Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E. W. and, Borick, C. P. (2017). Introducing Public
Administration. The quiz for module 12 will be taken at one of IRSC’s Testing
Centers.

Reflection Paper

Each student will write a four page paper identifying what they thing are the four
biggest challenges in public administration today and why.

Schedule of Activities

The schedule will be located in the Schedule of Activities folder.

How to Succeed in this Course

 Review “What makes a successful online student?”
(http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.
asp)
 Log in and check for announcements daily.
 Check your course e-mail regularly.
 Communicate with your instructor.
 Create a study schedule so that you don’t fall behind on assignment.

Course Guidelines

Online Course
This is an online course and therefore there will not be any face-to-face class
sessions. All assignments and course interactions will utilize Internet
technologies.

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Communicating with the Instructor

When questions arise during the course of this class, please remember to check
these three sources for an answer:

1. Course syllabus
2. Announcements in Blackboard
3. The “Ask Your Instructor” discussion board

If you cannot find an answer to your question, post your question to the “Ask the
Instructor” discussion board. In order to be notified that something has been
posted in the Ask the Instructor forum you must subscribe to the Ask the
Instructor discussion forum.

If you have questions of a personal nature such as relating a personal

emergency, questioning a grade on an assignment, or something else that needs
to be communicated privately, please contact the instructor via the course mail.
Please allow 24/48 hours for the instructor to respond to questions.

Please also see the office hours located within the instructor information section
of Blackboard. If you need to meet with the professor outside of those hours,
please contact the professor to set up a convenient time.

Please also feel free to call the professor if that is more convenient.

All instructor correspondence should be conducted within your course

messages.

Attendance/Participation
Preparation for class means reading the assigned readings and reviewing all
information required for that week. Attendance in an online course means
logging into the LMS on a regular basis and participating in the all of activities
that are posted in the course.

Studying and Preparation Time

The course requires you to spend time preparing and completing assignments.
For every credit hour you should expect to spend at minimum of three (3)
hours working on the course. Therefore, a 3-credit course would require
approximately 9 hours of time, per week.

Examination Guidelines
IRSC requires some proctored examination(s) for fully online classes. Each
instructor will indicate their requirements on which exams will be proctored. The
proctored exams will be taken using Honorlock.

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The Module 12 Assessment will be the proctored exam.

A quick link to the Assessment Center (Testing) is located in Blackboard in the

“Start Here” folder under IRSC Policies & Resources.

Late or Missed Assignments

All assignments must be finished and turned in to complete the course. Unless
the instructor is notified BEFORE the assignment is due and provides an
opportunity for the student to submit his/her assignment late, points may be
taken off for a late assignment.

All work submitted after the due date may lose one letter grade per day that the
assignment is late. If you know in advance of an issue that could impact your
ability to turn in an assignment on time, please contact me as soon as you
are aware of a conflict.

Submitting Assignments
All assignments, unless otherwise announced by the instructor, MUST be
submitted via Blackboard. Each assignment will have a designated place to
submit the assignment.

Subject to change notice

All material, assignments, and deadlines are subject to change with prior notice.
It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your instructor, review the course
site regularly, or communicate with other students, to adjust as needed if
assignments or due dates change.

IRSC Resources

Quick links to the Indian River State College’s resources and policies are listed in
the Start Here, IRSC Policies & Resources section of the course including:

 MyIRSC – Register for classes,  Incomplete Grade

view grades and financial aid  IRSC Mission Statement
awards  Office of Student Disabilities
 Student Handbook & Student  Student Activities
Handbook Reference Guide  Student Success Services
 Advising  Testing Services
 Catalog  Transcripts
 Drop/Add  Update Personal Information
 Equity Statement  Withdrawal Policy
 Financial Aid

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Academic Resources

Quick links to the Indian River State College’s Academic Resources are listed in
the Start Here, Academic Resource section of the course including:

 Academic Calendar  How to Succeed in this Course

 Academic Support Center  Incomplete Grade
 Academic Warning/  Netiquette Rules
 Deficiency/Suspension  Smarthinking - Tutoring
 Assessment/Examination  Student Responsibility
Policy  Studying and Time Mgmt.
 Graduation

Library & Research Paper Resources

Quick links to the Indian River State College’s Library and Research Paper
Resources are listed in the Start Here section of the course including:

 Library Link  APA Guidelines

 Course Specific Custom  MLA Guidelines
Library Guides  CSE Guidelines
 Ask the Librarian (24/7)  Legal Citation
 American Psychological  Plagiarism Policy
Association Tutorial  Writing a Research Paper

Writing Expectations:
It is expected that all students write in a manner representative of students at
this level of their educational journey. Please pay particular attention to the
information listed below.

Each student will be responsible for writing a research paper about a public
management issue. Research will include a minimum four (4) academic journal
articles. The paper should be 9-10 pages (not including the cover or reference
pages) in length double-spaced with one inch margins. The paper should
conform to APA publication standards.

Citation and Reference Style:

Students should use the APA citation style.

Quick links to Library information and reference styles are located under Start
Here, then Library & Research Paper Information,

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Technical Requirements

Course Specific Technology Requirements

None required

IRSC Computer Requirements

Students must have a reliable computer and Internet connection throughout the
course. Quick links to the Indian River State College’s Technical Requirements
are listed in the Start Here section of the course including:

 Blackboard Course Navigation  Recommended Technical Skills

 What are the technology  How to Get Help
requirements?

Accessibility Statement

In compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, professional disability specialists and
support staff at the Student Disability Services (SDS) facilitate a comprehensive
range of academic support services and accommodations for qualified students
with disabilities.

IRSC offers many disability resources at on-campus labs. The SDS works with
online students to ensure accessibility. A quick link is located to the SDS in the
Start Here folder. Students who wish to request an accommodation for a
documented disability should contact the SDS immediately at 772-462-7782 or
772-462-7808.

Syllabus Disclaimer

The instructor views the course syllabus as an educational contract between the
instructor and students. Every effort will be made to avoid changing the course
schedule but the possibility exists that unforeseen events will make syllabus
changes necessary. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the
syllabus as deemed necessary. Students will be notified in a timely manner of
any syllabus changes in the course Announcements or course e-mail.