Teaching

Perspectives on Public Administration (POLI 770) 

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the study of public administration. The course begins with an examination of the role that government plays in modern society, and the complementary roles assumed by public managers in a democratic political system. Next, classical writings in organizational theory will be studied. These writings lay the foundation for later research in public administration, and also relate directly to the real-world practice of management. Finally, the course will end with a broad discussion of popular ideas concerning how the field should be reformed in order to make it more useful to society. Students will leave the course with a knowledge base that will enable them to better comprehend the more advanced materials studied in later courses in the MPA Program. 

Main topics include:
  • An Introduction to Public Administration
  • American Government and Tools of Government
  • The Political Context of Public Administration
  • Administrative Discretion and Representative Bureaucracy   
  • The Economic Theory of Bureaucracy and Public Perception of Bureaucracy
  • Organizational Theory and Bureaucratic Structure
  • Public and Private Management 
  • The Human Side of Government 
  • Decision Making in the Public Sector 
  • Implementation, Networks, and Governance 
  • Evaluations of Government Performance 
  • Administrative Ethics 

 Nonprofit Management (POLI 797)

The objective of this course is to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical tools needed to manage nonprofit organizations. This course is designed to enhance students’ understanding of the role of nonprofit organizations, the size and scope of the nonprofit sector, and the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations in the U.S. Also, this course aims to help students acquire skills necessary to analyze and resolve various managerial situations within a complex framework of legal, fiscal, ethical, and administrative constraints. 

Main topics include:
                
  • Definitions, Purposes, and Character of the Nonprofit Sector
  • The Theoretical and Practical Explanations of Nonprofit Organizations 
  • Political, Social, and Economic Aspects of the Nonprofit Sector
  • The Interdependence of Government and Nonprofit Organizations 
  • Ties between Public, Nonprofit, and For-profit institutions
  • Public Trust, Accountability, and Performance Assessment 
  • Nonprofit Governance and Executive Leadership
  • Strategic Management, Planning, and Building Capacity
  • Financial Management, Philanthropic Fundraising, and Government Grants
  • Managing People in Nonprofit Organizations
  • Collaborations, Competition, and Collective Impact
  • Communications and Marketing for Nonprofit organizations