COMPARATIVE PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Tom O'Connor or assigned instructor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual syllabus
Assigned instructors may or may not use this material

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 (****Sensitive Material)
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 (****Sensitive Material)
8a. Corruption in Cross-Cultural Perspective (****Sensitive Material)   

REQUIRED LEARNING RESOURCES:

Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Heady, F. (2001). Public administration: A comparative perspective, 6e. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 0824704800 Note: this book is considered somewhat outdated and a more modern replacement is being sought.

Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA. Note: students do not have to buy this book, but should have access to it or something similar in order to utilize the correct style or format with writing assignments.

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
How Much Does the U.N. Cost the U.S.?
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 Public Administration as a Discipline
Wikipedia List of Countries by System of Government
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 will announce all deadlines and instructions as well as provide reminders about the pace or flow of the course.

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

25% Midterm Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
25% Writing assignments (single or multiple assignments, the equivalent of 8 pages)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, discussion 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. At times when circumstances permit, the scale may be dropped to a 10-point scale, or slightly more.

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

ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (and login records, 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: Sept. 14, 2012
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T.  (2012). "Syllabus for Comparative Public Administration," MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.drtomoconnor.com/4090/default.htm.