PA
6326 Decision Tools for Managers (3 semester hours) This
course introduces students to the variety of analytical and mathematical tools
intended to improve management decision making. Cognitive failures in
decision-making and remedies are also explored. Tools range from systems
analysis to techniques of management science. Uses available
software for management science studies. (3-0) Y
PA 6329 Data Analysis for Public Affairs
(3 semester hours) This course is an introduction to methods of statistical
description� and inference that are
commonly used in policy analysis, program evaluation, performance assessment,
action research, survey work, and related tasks in the public and non-profit
sectors. Coverage includes
probability, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance,
nonparametric correlation and multivariate regression. Emphasis is on both
method and interpretation of results. Solid grounding in college-level algebra
is essential. (3-0) Y
PA 6340 Domestic Social Policy (3 semester hours) Overview of
governmental and nongovernmental programs, policies, and institutions dealing
with those who cannot function self-sufficiently within the American market economy,
including low-income families, the elderly, the unemployed, and people with
disabilities. Analyzes how social policy in the
PA 6341 (POEC 6341,ECO 6371, SOC 6341) Urban
Development (3 semester hours) Presents methods and models for
understanding urban development processes. Topics of analysis include urban
growth, land use patterns, transportation and local public goods systems.
Welfare consequences of various urban policy options are explored. (3-0) Y
PA 6346 (POEC 6346 and SOC 6360)
Qualitative Research Methods (3 semester hours) Examines the gamut of
qualitative, non-quantitative research methods. Includes case
study analysis, interviewing techniques, ethnographic studies, direct
observation, document analysis and content/textual analysis. For
students who intend to use the above methods in their dissertation research.
(3-0) Y.
PA 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy
Sciences (3 semester hours) A review of research methods used in
program evaluation, with an emphasis on public and non-profit social programs.
Issues to be addressed include research design, appropriate performance
standards, measurement and selection of individuals, sampling, data collection
and data analysis. (3-0) Y
PA 7305 Leadership of Public and Non-Profit Organizations (3 semester
hours) Examines
the range of contemporary theories of leadership with particular emphasis on
Public and Non-Profit organizations. Explores cases of leadership success
and failure in these environments. Examines the set of
actions and behaviors requisite for leading contemporary organizations.
(3-0) Y
PA 7311 Models and Tools of Change Management (3 semester hours) Examines
the set of theories and models of change management as they relate to
organizational change. Provides applied tools for enacting change in a variety
of organizational environments. Provides tools for adapting models of
change to scope and scale of changes required. (3-0) Y
PA 7322 Negotiations for Effective Management (3 semester hours)
Students in this course will learn about negotiations, principally in the
public sector, and will develop and practice skills to become more proficient
negotiators and more efficient managers. The course will be a combination of
learning about negotiations and participating in exercises and simulated
negotiations. The exercises and simulations reinforce theories about the role
of negotiations in effective management and enable students to develop their
own negotiation skills. (3-0) Y
PA 7325 Survey of Public Affairs (3
semester hours) This class examines current issues and challenges in the field
of public affairs, with emphasis on the four fields that comprise the PHD
program: leadership, change and conflict resolution; social policy and
development; decision-making; and management and organizational analysis. The
concept and practice of action research will also be explored within the
context of public affairs. Open only to PhD students in Public Affairs. (3-0) Y
PA 7326 Normative Theory of Public
Affairs (3 semester hours) Addresses the moral
dimensions of discretionary judgments made by public managers. Particular
emphasis is placed on how the philosophical principles of American
constitutional tradition provide guidance for the appropriate exercise of
administrative ethics and authority. (3-0) Y
PA 7328 Economic Theory for Public Affairs (3 semester hours) This course
examines concepts and analytical tools of economics and demonstrates how these
concepts are used in analyzing public policy problems and designing appropriate
responses. Following an exposition of the basic theoretical and analytical
concepts in a public policy context, the course examines the role and
limitations of economics in public policy making. (3-0) Y
PA 7330 Research Design in Public Affairs (3 semester hours) Includes
a variety of applied research techniques aimed at enhancing analysis of
intra-organizational and extra-organizational settings. Both qualitative and
quantitative techniques will be explored and applied. Techniques range from
ethnographic analysis of organizational and social cultures to development of
survey research methods for needs assessment, environmental sensing and marketing.
Prerequisite: PA 5313 or equivalent. (3-0) Y
PA 7332 Legal Environment of Public Affairs (3 semester hours) This
class explores how the law affects the operation, management and environment of
public and non-profit organizations. Examines topics ranging from
administrative law to legal relationships with other governmental and
non-profit entities. The course also examines the
relationship between legal and ethical mandates in the public realm. (3-0) Y
PA 7338 Seminar in Human Resources
(3 semester hours) This
course is an advanced seminar for Ph.D. students in Public Affairs that will
include readings and research on the broader human resource issues in the
public and non-profit workplace. (3-0) Y
PA 7375 Non-Profit Organizations: Theory and Practice (3 semester hours)
This
class explores the leading theories of non-profit organizations. Examines
the unique elements of non-profit organizations and the academic and practical
challenges produced by these distinctive elements.
Examines how theory is applied to the practice of management in non-profit
organizations. (3-0) Y
PA 7381 Special Topics in Public Affairs (3 semester hours) Topics vary
semester to semester and are rotated typically among the major fields within
the program. May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours. (3-0) R
PA
7V62 Policy Research Workshop in Social
Policy (3-9 semester hours) Students join
a faculty member in a group research project. (May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 12 hours. MPA or doctoral students
may not take more than 3 hours of their concentration requirement from policy
research workshops and POEC 7376.).� Same as POEC 7V62. ([3-9]-0) T
PA 8340 Dissertation Seminar in Public Affairs (3 semester hours)
Students will be required to make oral and written reports that detail the
progress of the dissertation. The group environment is designed to foster an appreciation
for how the research experience influences decision-making and leadership
characteristics (3-0) Y
PA 8360 Public Affairs Research Practicum (Total hours may not exceed 9
semester hours) This
practicum will focus on the dissertation research. Students will be required to
make oral and written reports that detail the progress of the dissertation. The
group environment is designed to foster an appreciation for how the research
experience influences decision-making and leadership characteristics. May
be repeated. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program
Director. (3-0) Y
PA 8V01 Independent Study (1- 9
semester hours) Students will work with a faculty member to develop an
individualized course of study relevant to public affairs. ([1-9]-0) R
PA 8V99 Dissertation (1-9 semester hours) May be repeated. Total hours
may not exceed 18 semester hours. Students will design and implement an
improvement effort within an organization in their chosen field of
specialization. The goal of this course is to provide students an applied
experience dealing with the challenges of institutional and organizational
change. Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. ([1-9]-0) Y