PA 600: Integration of Theories, Methods and Practices in Public Administration

Fall 2007 Schedule: Saturday 9-12:50 pm

Location: Bldg. 24-106 Phone: (909) 869-3879

Professor Sandra M. Emerson Email: smemerson@csupomona.edu
Office: 94-309 ......... Office hrs: Sat. 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. or by appt.

Course Objectives

This is the capstone class for the MPA program, a transition from the work of gathering skills and knowledge in core and elective classes to the application of skills in creative independent work. It is a time to reflect on the work completed so far and identify any gaps in experience or knowledge that may still need to be addressed.

Public Administration is a profession with core concepts that use a common vocabulary and share a common ethos. This class will examine some writings that form that foundation. Professions encourage and require members to stay current in their discipline. This class suggests ways to be active in professional associations that serve the field as a whole --as well as areas of specialization.

Required Materials

Article:

Knopf, Jeffrey W. 2006. “Doing a Literature Review”. Political Science and Politics, 40 (1) 127-132. (On-line via Wilson Web)

Texts:

Kaptein, S. P. 1998. Ethics Management. New York: Springer

Patten, M. 1998. Questionnaire Research. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing

Truss, Lynn 2003, Eat, Shoots and Leaves. New York: Gotham Books

Recommended:

Ammons, D. 2002. Tools for decision-making: a practical guide for local government. Washington, D. C.: Congressional Quarterly Press.

Clark, Irene L. 2006. Writing the successful thesis and dissertation, entering the conversation. Uper Saddle River, N. J.: Prentice Hall. (available on line via the university library)

Pollack, P. 2005. An SPSS companion to political analysis. Washington, D. C.: Congressional Quarterly Press.

DATA : TBD

Recommended Memberships, Subscriptions:

Join the American Society for Public Administration at the student rate (www.aspanet.org) and receive Public Administration Review and PA Times. Look for an association (or section of ASPA) relevant to your subfield or topic. Please review ASPA’s code of ethics for public administrators at http://www.main.org/aspa/code.htm .

Course Schedule

Wk	Day/ Date	Topic	Material
1	Sept 22	Introduction to Course · Masters’ Culminating Paper · Public Service · Portfolio	Syllabus MPA Handbook (on-line)
2	Sept 29	The Culminating Paper: 2 views · Masters’ Faculty Gossett, Reese and Speak · Master's Alumni Role of IRB	Kaptein, S. P. 1998. Ethics Management begin reading. Portfolio cover page, functional matrix and course listing with title of task (Sept 29 assignment) is due. 3X5 card with proposed culminating project due
3	Oct 6	Ethics Training in an organizational setting Dr. Bennett Monye LA/Ont. Org. Chart LA/Ont Structures	Kaptein, S. P. 1998. Ethics Management CLASS will be at: LA/ Ontario Airport 1940 East Moore Way Ontario, CA. 91761 Park behind Terminal 1; proceed to room 213
4	Oct 13	Lit. Review Guidance and Instrument Development Role of IRB Survey drafted in class and submitted to Dr. E. via email. smemerson@csupomona.edu Dr. E. distributes finalized instrument via email to all MPA students by Oct 15.	Knopf, “Doing a Literature Review”. Political Science and Politics, (On-line via Wilson Web) Quick points about lit. review and what to identify in a publication. Patten, M. 1998. Questionnaire Research Chapters 1-7 Federal Ethics Survey form (example)
5	Oct 15 to 18 Oct 18 Oct. 20	Pre Test Instrument Enter 4 instruments on EXCEL spreadsheet provided by Dr. E. and submit data to : smemerson@csupomona.edu Analyze data from instruments in class on 10/20	Share instrument with 4 persons and have them complete survey. Patten, M. 1998. Questionnaire Research Chapters 9--11 or Pollack Chapters 2, 7 and 8. CLASS will be in 1-317 SPSS file of the DATA

6	Oct  27	English Eats shoots and leaves PRELIMINARY LAWA RPT PRELIMINARY LAWA Power Point PRESENTATION	Truss, Eat Shoots and Leaves Clark, Writing the successful thesis. Drafts of all sections of final report to LA/Ontario are due on October 27 via email Power point presentation outlined
7	Nov 3	Date Bases Dr. Korey SSRIC Power Point The LIST of LINKS	100 word abstract of culminating paper due. Submit drafts of chapters 1 and 2 for review and feedback only. (optional) Practice presentation for LA/Ontario on Nov. 10. Class meets in 1-317.
8	Nov10	LA/Ontario Presentation	LOU Sections A to D and discussion of proposed instrument
9	Nov. 17	Presentation of Student's Culminating Paper Proposals	Submit proposals for culminating paper: includes introduction, literature review, proposed methodology and Appendix E. Each student will present an 8 minute summary of problem, literature and proposed methodology.
10	Nov 24	Thanksgiving	Happy Holiday
11	Dec 1.	Portfolios	Portfolios submitted: title page, functional matrix, course/task list, essays and support for functional areas and resume with cover letter.

Culminating Paper Proposal (40 Points):

Each student will prepare a proposal for their culminating experience. Completed and approved proposals enable student to enroll in MPA 695. The tasks for completing the proposal are as follows:

· 3X5 card with topic of interest to student. (no grade)

· Abstract due. Drafts of chapters 1 and 2 optional. Abstract (8 points).

· Student’s draft of problem statement, literature review and methodology for his/her own project for MPA 695. Include Appendix E cover sheet from MPA Student Manual on–line. (20 points) and

· Student’s presentation of issue, literature and proposed methodology. (12 points)

Portfolio (25 points)

A professional portfolio consists of materials representative of one’s work. It is a collection of one’s accomplishments and a demonstration of one’s abilities. The MPA Portfolio is a required developmental component of the program, designed to assist students in planning course selection and in encouraging students to reflect on and integrate their experiences while in the program. Portfolios can also communicate the quality of one’s work to future employers. Primarily, constructing a professional portfolio should be seen as the basis for continuing career development.

Ideally, students begin keeping their portfolios in MPA 500, recording self-assessments of strengths and weaknesses, and developing a plan for professional development. If the portfolio was not part of MPA 500 then students should have read the information in student handbook on-line. MPA students will collect their work throughout each course in the program, choosing the best to showcase in the final portfolio, MPA 600.

Portfolios should have at least the following sections, with others added according to the student’s goals:

1. Academic Abilities

2. Leadership and Team Skills

3. Ethics and Professional Standards

4. Public Service/Management

5. Professional Growth and Continuing Education

Portfolio Assignment for September 29 --please bring the following:

a) a list of classes with the titles of the major individual and group projects conducted in each (use form on back page to summarize this information)

b) a matrix of the 5 functional sections (academic abilities, leadership & group skills, etc.) cross checked with what elements were in what class.

c) Start a loose leaf binder of your materials. Your academic record here at Poly is on Bronco Direct. If you took classes elsewhere and they are being applied to your program here, please list as well

d) During the course of this quarter -- create a binder with 6 tabs. Ahead of the tabs are the cover page and matrix. There will be a tab for each function, followed by a reflective essay and an example. Be analytical and selective. You may cross reference a document for more than one area but NOT for all areas. For example if you did a research paper on employee turnover and also worked on a group presentation that helped an agency effectively address workplace complaints-- you could place the presentation and paper in public service and cross reference the effort to academic abilities.

e) The binder need not be fancy or new. It should be sturdy and clean. Inside the first page is the cover sheet followed by the matrix. The first tab is Academic abilities. Behind this tab should be your reflective essay on what courses you took, how they addressed these skills and issues, what relevance it has for you, etc. Behind the essay please include an example.

Final Portfolio Package

A. Cover page: Portfolio of _____________________

(Name)

Date:_________________________

MPA Program beginning: __________

(Quarter/Year)

B. Program Matrix

Courses	Academic Abilities	Leadership and Team	Ethics & Prof. Standards	Public Service/ Mgmt	Prof. Growth	Other (specify:______)
MPA 500
MPA 501
MPA 502
MPA 503
MPA 504
MPA 505
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Intern- ship
MPA 600

C. Academic Abilities: The development and improvement of skills in writing, speaking, research, computer use, and quantitative and qualitative analysis. Keeping track of program requirements and taking responsibility for individual progress.

D. Leadership and Team Skills: Giving directions, setting and communicating expectations and values, learning how to understand group dynamics and work with a group, and developing teams are all important abilities in developing greater public management capacities.

E. Ethics and Professional Standards: Understanding and applying professional standards and codes of ethics for public administration and the academic world. Sensitivity to democratic values, constitutional principles, human dignity and diversity.

F. Public Service (Management): To value making a contribution to society, to develop and exemplify the core ethic of public sector management, and to better understand the larger community. To manage resources effectively and efficiently.

G. Professional Growth and Continuing Education: Involvement in continuing education through professional organizations. To pay attention to becoming well-rounded as an individual, particularly in support of management take advantage of opportunities to renew oneself.

** Other. Define area (Electives)

Reflective Essay and examples of work. Each essay should be 3-4 pages.

H. Student’s Resume

• The entire package from cover sheet to resume is due December 1. No exceptions.
  If the September 29 assignment is incomplete or late,10 points will be deducted. Completed and timely portfolio, including September assignment, is 25 points.

September 29, 2007 Report