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Canyon College

online Administrative Theory and Practice course

COURSE SYLLABUS: ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY AND PRACTICE


Course Title:
Department:
Instructor:
Prerequisites: 		BU621 - Administrative Theory and Practice
Business
John D. Theodore, Ph.D., D.B.A., CMC - E-Mail - Vita
Good standing in the program.


Course Description:

This course will help students develop knowledge of administrative theory and examine the administrative state as a system of integrated and complex structures, networks, and processes with the purpose of addressing the needs of citizens and business in both the private and public sectors. The course will focus on issues such as whether public administrators should just be responsible for the efficient implementation of public policies, and leave policy to elected officials. The student will develop his/her own personal and intellectual insights into the numerous questions about administrative theory and be able to analyze and critique the reading assignments and outside research.

Learning Objectives:

The students will:
  1. Understand and apply administrative theory to the practice of public administration and the organization of public agencies.
  2. Demonstrate an ability to understand and appreciate the significance of public organizations and the role of leadership and the need for optimizing performance within these public organizations.
  3. Analyze the role and responsibility of public organizations and the interactions of the private and nonprofit sectors.
  4. Develop problem-solving techniques for analyzing unique social and organizational problems in public organizations.
  5. Be able to analyze and assess organizational structures as well as the interactions and relationships of structure and mission of the public organization.
  6. Develop an appreciation and see the need for professional computer skills that will be necessary to meet the needs of a future administrative work force.
Required Text: Online Bookstore

Text:

Rainey, Hal G. (1997). Understanding and Managing Public Organizations. San Francisco: JosseyBass. Second Edition

Supplementary Resources:

The students are encouraged to become familiar with other sources, especially those located electronically and particularly topics dealing with administrative theory available in various databases.

Journals & Periodicals: Public Administration Review, Public Administration Times, Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Management, Management Review and Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM) journal.

Assessment:
  1. Six reading and case study assignments covering important aspects in administrative theory and practice.
  2. A twelve-page Reflective Paper (APA Style, 5th Edition) on any topic covering compensation and or benefits.
Academic Requirements:
  1. All students are expected to “attend” the course by completing all course assignments in an academic manner and with complete preparation.
  2. Grammar, punctuation, spelling and overall composition will be included in the grading of all assignments.
  3. Students are required to complete each unit within a one-week time frame. At the student’s request, and upon successful completion of a unit in less than one week, the instructor will provide students with subsequent units of homework in advance.
  4. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Method Of Instruction:

BU621 is a distance-learning course offered through Canyon College. Because this class is a partially self-paced program in that you may complete a specific weeks work at anytime during that week timeframe, it is essential that the student review all available materials located in the text, classroom, e-mail, and syllabus. Course examinations will be administered on-line during the fourth and eighth weeks of class. Prior to the submission of the first assignment each student is required to submit via e-mail to the instructor the following information.
Name, e-mail address, course expectations, professional work experience, educational background and anything else you would like the instructor to know about you.
Course Schedule and Assignments:

Week 1
Unit 1: Read Chapter 1 through 5 of your text. Submit a two-page summary to your instructor of these six chapters. Cite appropriate references from your text in the summary paper. Submit the summary paper to your instructor.
Week 2
Unit 2: Read an academic article on a public administration problem and write a two-page summary on a public problem.
Week 3
Unit 3: Read an academic article concerning administrative practice in public organizations. Submit a two-page analysis of the materials read and how you plan to expand this research into a term paper. Wait for the professor’s comments.
Week 4
Unit 4: Submit a detailed description of the Term Paper you have chosen (any topic on administrative theory and practice), including the purpose of the study and the limitations of the study. This can be done in two to three pages. Wait for the professor’s comments.
Week 5
Unit 5: Read an article on administrative theory and describe how you would relate this administrative practice to a public organization.
Week 6
Unit 6: Read remaining chapters in the text and submit a two-page analysis of these chapters to your instructor.
Week 7
Unit 7: Read a journal article on how to design a new bureau or unit within an organization. Submit a two-page analysis of your work.
Week 8 – Final Exam
Unit 8: Submit your twelve-page Reflective/Term Paper. Wait for the professor’s comments.
Grading criteria:

Readings:
Reflective/Term Paper: 		50%
50%


* This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.