POL 171 - Intro to Public Administration

1. Distinguish between private sector and public sector management
2. Analyze the political environment in which public administration occurs
   1. Examine the importance of legislative politics
   2. Identify political skills necessary for administrative success
3. Explain the nature of intergovernmental relationships and how these have evolved through time
   1. Describe national-state relations
   2. Describe state-local relations
   3. Describe local-local relations
4. Assess the importance of administrative responsibility and ethics in managing a department or agency
5. Explain program management
   1. Distinguish among policy, planning and programming
   2. Apply a formal planning model to a program situation
6. Assess how decision making works in a public sector organization

• Analyze the importance of gathering good data
• Describe the communications process used in making sound decisions

1. Explain how legislative programs can be effectively implemented
2. Describe how policy and programs can be evaluated
3. Assess bureaucratic organizational structure and the matrix organizational structure
4. Discuss the external and internal budget processes of a department or agency
5. Compare the related effectiveness of different management styles
   1. Explain theories x, y, and z
   2. Relate how good and poor leaders work with their employees
6. Describe the role and function of the public personnel office (human resource office) in the work place
7. Analyze how legislative and judicial decisions have impacted the work environment
   1. Examine important national laws
   2. Investigate important affirmative action cases