GOVT 3310 – Introduction to Public Administration Fall 2005

Prof: Scott Robinson TR 3:30-4:45

GR 2.537 (x4043) GR 2.302
scottr@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: TR 2-3pm, Th 6-7, and by appointment

Course Objectives:

Administrative agencies are an increasingly important part of the political landscape. This course introduces
you to the study of the creation and operation of these administrative agencies. The course will cover such
subjects as the history of administrative agencies and the civil service, the management and design of
administrative agencies, and the ethics of administrative politics.

Textbooks:

There are two required textbooks for the course.

Kettl, Donald F. and James W. Fesler. 2005. The Politics of the Administrative Process. Third Edition

Shafritz, Jay M., Albert C Hyde, and Sandra J. Parkes. 2004. Classics of Public Administration. Fifth
Edition.

Attendance:

Attendance is optional. The tests will cover material discussed in class as well as in the readings. Missing class
may mean missing material that will be tested. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get the class notes
from a classmate.

Class Etiquette

It is essential that you respect the interests and needs of your fellow students. Do not do anything that may be
disruptive or prevent other people from learning. Disruptively talking in class or having your cellular phone go
off will result in you being asked to leave class for that lecture. PLEASE turn your cellular phones off before
coming to class.

Grading:

Test 1 – 33 1/3%
Test 2 – 33 1/3%
Test 3 – 33 1/3%

A comprehensive file will be offered that can substitute for any of these three tests (including a missed exam)

Final letter grades will be distributed based on the following system.

F: 0-59 B-: 80-82

D: 60-62 B: 83-86
D: 63-66 B+: 87-89
D+: 67-69 A-: 90-92
C-: 70-72 A: 93-96
C: 73-76 A+: 97-100
C+: 77-79
Academic Dishonesty:

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students are responsible for knowing what constitutes scholastic
dishonesty and its consequences (see http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/chapter49.html). If you have any
doubts, contact me before you turn in your assignments.

Disability:

If you have a condition that requires accommodation in this course, please speak with me after class or in
office hours during the first week of class. I will be happy to make appropriate accommodations provided
timely notice is received and the arrangement is consistent with any recommendations from Disability Services,
when applicable. Disability Services can be reached at 883-2098. The syllabus and other course materials can be
made available in alternative formats.

Missed Examinations:

There are no make up exams for the three tests. The final exam is optional and the grade on it can replace one
of the three exams, including a missed exam.

Schedule of Topics and Readings:

The following schedule lists the topics and readings for each week.

I reserve the right to revise the syllabus at any time (for example, by adding or removing reading material,
changing the daily topics). I will announce any changes ahead of time in class.

8/18
Class Introduction
8/23
What is Public Administration?
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 1
Wilson “The Study of Administration” SHP Page 22
Goodnow “Politics and Administration” SHP Page 35
White “Introduction to the Study of Public Administration” SHP Page 56

8/25
Administrative Activity
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 2
Allison “Public and Private Management” SHP Page 396
Downs “The Life Cycle of Bureaus” SHP Page 258

8/30 and 9/1

Administrative Decision Making
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 9
Lindblum “The Science of Muddling Through” SHP Page 177
Stone “Policy Paradox” SHP Page 571
Follett “The Giving of Orders” SHP Page 64

9/6 and 9/8

Organization Theory
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 3
Weber “Bureaucracy” SHP Page 50
Taylor “Scientific Management” SHP Page 43
Simon “Proverbs of Administration” SHP Page 22 136

9/13
Executive Branch Organizaiton
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 5
Brownlow et al “Report of the President’s Committee” SHP Page 99

9/15
*** Exam #1 ***

9/20 and 9/22

Organization Problems
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 6
Bennis “Organizations of the Future” SHP Page 238
Merton “Bureaucratic Structure and Personality” SHP Page 109
Selznick “The Cooptative Mechanism” SHP Page 155

9/27 and 9/29

Organizational Reform
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 4
Kaufman “Administrative Decentralization” SHP Page 285
NPR “From Red Tape to Results” SHP Page 556
Moe “Exploring the Limits” SHP Page 467
Hood “A Public Management for All” SHP Page 503

10/4 and 10/6

The Civil Service
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 7
Eaton “Civil Service Reform in Great Britain” SHP Page 16
Krislov “Representative Bureaucracy” SHP Page 350
Mosher “Democracy and Public Service” SHP Page 434

10/11 and 10/13

Human Capital
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 8
Maslow “A Theory of Human Motivation” SHP Page 123
McGregor “Human Side of Enterprise” SHP Page 171
Thomas “From Affirmative Action” SHP Page 494

10/18
Budgeting
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 10
Caiden “Public Budgeting amidst Uncertainty” SHP Page 423

10/20
*** Exam #2 ***
10/25 and 10/27
Implementation
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 11
Landau “Redundancy, Rationality” SHP Page 302
Lipsky “Street Level Bureaucracy” SHP Page 414
Pressman and Wildavsky “Implementation” SHP Page 339

11/1 and 11/3

Regulation, the Courts, and Federalism
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 12
Lowi “The End of Liberalism” SHP Page 298
Grodzins “The American System” SHP Page 233
Wright “Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations” SHP Page 517

11/8 and 11/10

Legislative Control
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 13
Rosenbloom “Public Administrative Theory” SHP Page 446
Kingdon “How Does an Idea’s Time Come?” SHP Page 564

11/15 and 11/17

Ethics and Conclusion
Required Reading:
F&K Chapter 14
Thompson “The Possibility of Administrative Ethics” SHP Page 458

11/22
*** Third Exam ***

12 /1
Optional Comprehensive Final Exam