Political Science 361 Room 216, Humanities
Introduction to Public
Administration Phone:
901/587-7481
e-mail: tmosch@utm.edu
Office
Hours:
Every American is directly involved with government in
countless ways. In short, each of us is
involved with public administration whether it be on the local, state, or
national level. Voter registration,
motor vehicle licensing, social security are all examples of public
administration. And one should also
mention the United States Postal Service, which affects every citizen of the
nation. Ours has been an age of
bigness, and big government, especially on state and national levels, has been
characteristic. And it continues to be
an important political issue. Many
candidates claim the growth of the national bureaucracy may actually destroy
the federal system; others respond that the national government is the only
level with sufficient expertise and resources to properly administer needed
programs. During recent presidential
administrations, a new focus took place, that of returning responsibilities to
the states and their subordinate layers of government. Also the issue of privatization has become a
continuous theme. This has become a time of reflection, a time to look more
closely at programs and the role of governments on all levels. And with this, costs deserve special
attention. Most noteworthy here is the
ever-increasing national government debt.
Government will always be with us and hence, public
administration, unless, as James Madison wrote in the FEDERALIST PAPERS, men become angels. And that day still appears somewhat distant. But an elemental question in regard to
public bureaucracy remains; that is:
What should be the proper role of government?
The answer to this question determines the essence of
one’s political philosophy. Is
government only to endorse contracts, protect citizens, and provide for the
national defense? Or is it also to
provide minimal educational, social, and medical benefits for all? In talking with citizens from other
countries, one detects vast differences on what “essential services” really
are.
GOAL: Although this vital question will emerge
again and in this course, the focus of Political Science 361 will be
two-fold. First, to look at the
development of public administration in the United States, with some references
to programs in other countries. Major
themes will include: organizational
theory, leadership, decision-making, management, budgeting, ethics, personnel,
and intergovernmental relations. Major
emphasis will also be placed on issues in the field. The READER will provide good insight into these issues through
case studies. A second goal is to keep
students current on state-local, national, and international affairs. The world community has become more
interdependent; a look at the foreign investment in Tennessee confirms this. About 26 percent of all land in West
Tennessee is owned by foreign investors. In addition, many plants from
international companies have been established in Tennessee. To keep abreast of
current events, students are to read NEWSWEEK.
The following course in this sequence, Political Science
362, deals with public policies.
The impersonal effect of bigness in government has been a
real concern to many. Some point to
George Orwell’s 1984 and see his
predictions coming true. Others cite
Professor C. Northcote Parkinson’s PARKINSON’S LAW and again see applications in today’s society. The impersonal is, of course, not confined
to government. Labor unions,
corporations, education, churches also have bureaucracies. Not only is there the problem of feeling
worth in a big organization, but there is the challenge of change. In this regard President Truman’s
description of then President-elect Eisenhower is most pertinent. “Poor Ike – it won’t be like the army. He’ll give out executive orders for this and
that. But nothing will be done. He’ll find it most frustrating.” This resistance to change in bureaucracy is,
of course, universal in application. The former Soviet Union gives us an
excellent example of how a bureaucracy becomes self-perpetuating. As a result, General Secretary Mikhail
Gorbachev’s perestroika (restructuring) plans became much more difficult than
those of glasnost (openness).
The United States has undergone considerable change in
its approach to government during the period 1981-89. The Reagan Presidency cut back on funds to states and localities.
The Revenue Sharing Program ended. This was due in part to President Reagan’s
ideology and also because of the lack of resources on the national level,
especially with the escalating national debt.
The conservative ideology claims the national government through a maze
of grants undermined the states; governors and legislatures followed Washington
D.C. and became subordinates, not equal partners in the federal system. The
cuts in funds mean less restrictions on the states; thus, the 50 states will
take initiatives in many areas.
This may mean more powerful
states in the federal system.
Opponents of this approach, which also involves heavy
emphasis on privatization, claim the national government is needed to provide
minimum standards for essential services.
Without its role, citizens will not have quality opportunities. Why?
The vast disparity among the states in regard to resources. Also states
are in some cases not willing to commit themselves to acceptable services. Former President Jimmy Carter is among the
proponents of active national government involvement to ensure adequate
services. This may cut into state
prerogatives; however, the goal is to ensure a better America for all. This debate over the relationship between
our two governmental levels originates with the founding of the republic and
will continue.
REQUIRED BOOKS
TEXT
William C. Johnson.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, POLICY, POLITICS AND PRACTICE. Second Edition. ISBN 1-56134-425-7 . Madison, WI: Brown and Benchmark, 1996. This book focuses on major aspects of public
administration. These include: the characteristics of a bureaucracy,
intergovernmental relations, the development of public policies, government
regulation, the relationship between the public and private sectors, leadership,
decision-making, personnel management, budgetary considerations,
implementation, evaluation, and administrative accountability. This text is well-written and
well-organized.
READER
I have gathered 30 case studies, 15 of which I wrote after
research in the summer of 1995. Two
concern Tennessee issues: TVA’s Tellico
Dam Project and the I-40 Overton Park Controversy. Copies of the READER will be placed on reserve in the
library. The purpose of these studies
is to share public administration issues and to stimulate discussion.
Students are
to read a newspaper or magazine on a weekly basis to obtain an up-date on
current events. There are many
available in the library. These
include: TIME, NEWSWEEK, US. NEWS & WORLD REPORT. There are an array of national newspapers, including: THE
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE WASHINGTON POST, AND
THE NEW YORK TIMES. Local and state
newspapers should also be of interest because they focus on public policies. The class will try to devote time on a
weekly basis on current events.
Students are to ready on a weekly basis to be prepared.
Public
television and public radio are also excellent sources for keeping up on
current events.
ORAL REPORT
Each student is to give an oral report on some public
administration issue. The 30 issues covered in the Reader could be used
although the professor will be covering some in detail. The topics for the oral reports must be
different; assignment will be on a first-come, first-served basis. You can develop your own topic, including
case studies. Two come to mind concerning aviation: the Valujet Crash (Florida)
and the TWA Disaster (New York City area) and the aftermath. Students selecting
cases from the READER will be asked to give their reports the week the cases
have been assigned. You need to get
approval of the topic from the instructor.
Evaluation of the Oral
Report
60 pts I. Organization (Background Information,
explanation of the case/issue) Use of visual aids.
20 pts II. Personal Commentary. (Did the presenter give reactions? Was there analysis?)
20 pts III.
Discussion (Was there an exchange of views in the class? Did the presenter elicit discussion?)
The specific schedule of
oral presentations will be made at the beginning of the course. You need to decide on a topic early and to
start your research. This is one-fifth of the course grade.
Course Grade Determination
Test 1 (Assignments 1 – 5) 25 percent
Test 2 (Assignments 6 – 10) 25 percent
Test 3 (Assignments 11 – 16) 25 percent
Oral
Report
25 percent
___________
100 percent
Make-Up Examinations
Those missing major examinations for legitimate reasons
will be allowed to take a make-up.
These will be essays. Bring blue books. The make-up exams will be held
between 6 – 8 a.m. in Room 204 Humanities on
______________________________________.
Seating Chart
This will be programmed after the first several sessions;
students will decide where they wish to locate.
Grading Scale
95 – 100 A
85 – 94 B
75 – 84 C
65 – 74 D
0 - 64
F
Class Attendance.
Class attendance is critical in obtaining the maximum
from courses; excessive absences will affect the grade.
Tuesday/Thursday
Classes. Three cuts are automatically
excused. After that each cut will
result in a 1.5 point reduction from the final course grade average.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Classes. Five cuts are automatically
excused. After that each cut will result in a 1 point reduction from the final
course average.
Of course, those in legitimate university activities or
experiencing illness will merit additional excused absences. Such excuses must be verified.
See web site or circulation desk, university library, for complete course
outline.
Date Assignment Text (Wm C. Johnson) READER (On Reserve in
Due the library)
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1 Ch. 1. Public Admin. The TVA Tellico Dam Project,
pp. 1-28. I-40 Overton Park Controversy
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2 Ch. 2. The Anatomy of Nuclear Waste Site, East
Administration, pp 29-59. Tennessee; Affirmative Action
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3 Ch 3. The Political Love Canal, Postscript on
Dynamics of Bureaucracy, on Love Canal
pp. 60-93.
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4 Ch. 4.
Administration in Centralia No.
5,
the Intergovernmental Radium Tragedy, Ottawa,
Net, pp.94-128. Illinois
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5 Ch. 5. The Sources of Imperial Foods Plant
Public Policy, pp. 129-160. Tragedy, Nuclear Fallout
Tragedy
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Examination 1
(Assignments 1 – 5) (25 %)
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6 Ch. 6. Business Regulation Meat Inspection Indictment,
by Government, pp. 161-188. MOVE Disaster
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7 Ch. 7. Public/
Administrative The $50 Billion
Calamity—
Relationships, pp.189-215. S&L Scandal,
Swine Flu Controversy
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8 Ch. 8. Public Administration Case of Flight 320,
and its Publics, pp. 216-244. Space Shuttle Challenger
Accident
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9 Ch.
9. Administrative
Road to Abscam, the
Leadership and Management, Changing FBI,
pp. 245-276. Gays and Lesbians in
the Military
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10 Ch.
10. Planning and Decision-
Continuing Attack on
Making in Public Agencies, Smoking, Terms Limits on
pp. 277-302. Congress
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11 Ch.
11. Public Personnel The Whistle Blowers,
Management, pp. 303-342. Mayor Dinkins of NYC
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12 Ch.
12. The Administration of
Decision to use Atomic
Public Money, pp. 343-376 Bombs in World War II,
The Bay of Pigs Fiasco
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13 Ch.
13. Implementing Public Vietnam
Cover-up,
Policy, pp. 377-403. Vietnam War: Case of
Sunken Resources
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14 Ch.
14. Evaluating Public Target Quadafi,
Policies and Programs, Decision to Liberate
pp. 404-430. Kuwait
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15 Ch.
15. Administrative The Cuban Missile Crisis,
Accountability, pp. 431-460. Gulf War—Friendly Fire
Tragedy
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