COMPARATIVE PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
SYLLABUS
Instructor: as assigned/Dr. Tom O'Connor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual assigned syllabus

COURSE DESIGNATION: PM 4090 Comparative Public Administration (3 semester hours)

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: An introduction to the governmental, administrative, and political systems of both developed and underdeveloped countries with a focus on political systems and their manifestation in administrative systems.  (no prerequisites)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To acquire an informed understanding of the subfield of comparative public administration
2. To understand conceptual and practical issues of comparative investigation and analysis
3. To examine regularities and patterns from a broad base of diverse practices
4. To analyze and evaluate patterns best suited for efficiency and incorruptibility
5. To articulate the basic ideas of sustainable development and good governance
6. To appreciate the challenges of national and international management

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:

In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:
1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in public management

CONTENT OUTLINE:

Week 1: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. Introduction to Comparative Public Administration
1a. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
1b. Comparative Homeland Security

Week 2: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
2. Theories of Bureaucracy
2a. The Structural-Functional Classification of Political Systems

Week 3: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
3. Foundations of Organizational Theory
3a. Human Relations Management

Week 4: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
4. European Management Styles
4a. Oligarchies and Polyarchies

Week 5: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
5. Civic Culture
5a. Characteristics of Modernization

Week 6: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
6. Regimes, Elites, and Parties
6a. Patterns of Sustainable Development

Week 7: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
7. Economic Security and International Political Economy (****Secure Login Required)
7a. World Trade Organization Law

Week 8: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
8. The Management and Mismanagement of Foreign Aid (****Secure Login Required)
8a. Corruption in Cross-Cultural Perspective (****Secure Login Required)   

REQUIRED LEARNING RESOURCES:

Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Heady, F. (2001). Public administration: A comparative perspective, 6e. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 0824704800

Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA.

Additional Learning Resources (Internet Links in lectures and these general resources)
Accel-Team.com
American Society for Public Administration
Approaches to Organizational Theory
Comparative Criminal Justice Resources on France
Postmodern Organizational Theory
Prof. Charles Dreveskracht's Comparative CJ Resources
Prof. Fred Riggs Home Page
Prof. Harry Schweizer's Global Criminal Justice Links
Prof. Phil Reichel's CJ Ed Website
Prof. Rbt. Dahl's home page
Prof. Rbt. Winslow's Comparative Criminological Tour of the World
Public Administration and Management
Public Governance Indicators Literature Review (pdf)
UN Millennium Development Goals
Wikipedia Entry on Bureaucracy
Wikipedia Entry on Democracy
Wikipedia Entry on International Development
Wikipedia Entry on Mixed Member Proportional Representation
Wikipedia Entry on NPM
Wikipedia Entry for Organizational Studies
Wikipedia Entry on Public Administration as a Discipline
Wikipedia Entry on Sustainability
Wikipedia List of Countries by System of Government
Wikipedia List of Modern Monarchies
Wikipedia Portal on Forms of Government
World Bank
World Factbook of Criminal Justice Systems
World Values Survey

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read assigned text chapters, to read assigned Lecture Notes, and to seek and read additional suggested resources as provided by the textbook and Instructor.  In addition, students are expected to be alert and attentive with note taking in class and have a demonstrated desire to participate in any discussion.  Exams are to be completed within the deadlines given by the Instructor, and any special instructions for the paper and/or writing assignment(s) are to be followed precisely.  The Instructor's website for the course contains deadlines and instructions.    

BASIS AND METHODS FOR GRADING: (May vary by instructor):

25% Midterm Examination (objective test with possibility of writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions)
25% Writing assignments (at least the equivalent of 8 pages)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, contributions)

The grade scale used in this course is normally a 7-point scale, as follows, although instructors are free to make adjustments or modifications as circumstances permit:

A = 93-100
B = 86-92
C = 78-85
D = 70-77
F = 69/below

ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (or not kept, if this is a web-based course), and students are expected to attend all sessions on time and as scheduled. If a session and/or assignment deadline is to be missed for circumstances beyond the student's control, prior permission of the instructor must be obtained, and arrangements made for submission of the work. Regular late submission of work as well as tardiness and absenteeism will result in reduction of the final grade by at least one letter, depending upon severity. An "Incomplete" can only be given if the student has normally completed at least half the coursework, has a reasonable justification, and makes arrangements with the instructor.

DISABILITY POLICY: Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you may contact Disability Services; telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.

POLICY ON MINORS: Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.

ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the "Code of Student Conduct" in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any student found cheating or plagiarizing will receive an "F" for the work in question, and possibly an "F" for the course, and may be recommended for suspension from the University.  Cheating is defined as not working on exams or assignments alone, and plagiarism is defined as taking the work of someone else's as one's own.  APSU uses software that will identify plagiarism.

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Last updated: Dec. 31, 2009
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T.  (Date of Last Update at bottom of page). In Part of web cited (Windows name for file at top of browser), MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.apsu.edu/oconnort/rest of URL accessed on today's date.