Introduction to Public Management

Instructors

VALENTINE, Scott

Credits / Language / Semester

2Credits / English / Summer

Objectives/Overview

The purpose of this course is to help public management students hone and entrench the skills necessary to cultivate and implement good ideas and effective sustainable performance in public organizations. To do so, the course has been designed in a very unique manner. Firstly, prior to each class, students are asked to complete self-diagnostic exercises which help them to evaluate their current level of proficiency in the skill to be studied. Secondly, a comparably high number of case study discussions and group exercises will be undertaken in class. Accordingly, students need to come to class with their defences lowered. Students who get the most out of this course will be those who come to class prepared to participate and who come with an open mind.

Note: Enrolment in this course will be limited to 30 students. MPPIP will receive priority because this is a core course for them. Following this, GraSPP students will rank second in order of priority. Students external to GraSPP will be admitted only if there is space.

Teaching Methods

Problem-based learning principles are used for classroom delivery. This implies a great deal of guided student participation and involvement. Students should prepare to come and have fun interacting and learning with the rest of class. Common elements of each class will include:

Comprehension quizzes- Each session will begin with short multiple choice tests to ensure comprehension of the assigned readings. This is done to ensure that students have the knowledge base necessary to participate in the class discussions.

Case Studies- Many classes also have case study components where students are asked in teams to solve problems based on a pre-assigned readings.

Exercises- There will be a number of exercises introduced in the class to entrench and practice skills covered.

Grading

Course grades will be based on: short comprehension exams given at the beginning of class each week to evaluate comprehension of the week’s readings (30%), a reflective journal (20%), a group-led case study activity (20%), a short final essay (20%) and class participation (10%).

Required Text

Robert Denhardt, Janet Denhardt and Maria P. Aristigueta, “Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations”, 2nd Edition, Sage Publishing (978-1-4129-5667-3)

Other materials will be assigned.

Related Resources

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