literature on theories of public administration in modernity. Students will learn ...
Assigned reading should be done Before the class in which it is to be discussed.
Western University Department of Political Science
Theories of Public Administration Public Administration 9916 Fall 2013 Course Instructor: Joe Lyons Office: 4226A SSC (in the MLG library) Email:
[email protected] Office Hours: by appointment
Location: 4255 SSC Dates and Times: Friday, September 13: 3-7pm; Saturday, September 14: 9am-5pm; Friday, October 18: 3-7pm; Saturday, October 19: 9am-5pm; Friday, November 8: 3-7pm; Saturday, November 9am-5pm Course Information: Calendar Description: This course introduces students to selected elements of the academic literature on theories of public administration in modernity. Students will learn how to use theory-based critical analysis in the study and in the practice of public administration. Source materials for the course and classroom discussions will provide students with the opportunity to learn to analyze current and emerging issues in local government administration through a theoretical lens. Course Objectives: The principal aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of key literature in the field of public administration theory. A primary objective is to prepare students to conduct theoretically informed research and analysis of local government issues. Readings and Materials: Students should obtain their own copy of the following text, which has been ordered for the University Bookstore: Frederickson, George H. et al. 2012. The Public Administration Theory Primer, second edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. All other readings will be available electronically through the library’s website, or posted on the course’s OWL site. Assigned reading should be done Before the class in which it is to be discussed. Requirements: 1. Three Short Reading Responses. Every student is required to submit a short reaction paper to the assigned readings for three sessions (sessions are Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon). Submissions cannot be for three consecutive sessions (this will be discussed 1
during the first class). These papers should be no more than two pages single-spaced and should outline the commonalities and differences amongst the readings, offer comments on the authors’ main assumptions and reflections on any issues or approaches in the readings that you agree or disagree with. You are encouraged to develop an overall argument in these papers, which ties all of the readings together. You will be asked to present one of these responses to the class (see Class Participation). You should be prepared to help lead class discussions for each of the sessions that you prepare a response for, and especially during the session in which you present. Responses are to be submitted at the start of the session which is covering the readings that you have responded to. Late papers will not be accepted. 2. Class Participation. Two items make up the class participation grade: a. Attendance and participation. You must attend all classes, keep up with the readings, and participate during discussions. If you are unable to attend a particular day or session, you should advise the instructor in advance. b. Reading response presentation. You will be required to present one of your reading responses to the class. The presentation schedule will be determined during the first class. These presentations should be approximately five minutes in length. No audiovisual equipment will be used for these presentations. 3. Final Paper. The final course requirement is a longer written assignment (approximately 3,000 words in length) that is due Friday, November 29, 2013. Students must choose one of the following two options (more detailed guidelines will be discussed in class during the first weekend): a. Under the first option, students must write a longer reading response that reflects on the theories and issues discussed in the course. The essay must incorporate as many of the required readings as possible. There is no need to draw on readings beyond the course readings. b. Under the second option, students must analyze a particular local government administrative issue using theories covered in the course. Students that choose this option should consult with the instructor on their chosen topic. PLEASE NOTE: Overdue final paper submissions will be penalized two percent of the paper grade for each day that the paper is late. Extensions will be granted only in the event that written confirmation of any extenuating circumstances is provided. Evaluation: 1. Three Short Reading Responses 2. Participation 3. Final Essay
10 % each = 30% 20% 50%
Note on academic offences and plagiarism: Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholastic_discipline_grad.pdf.
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Note for students with disabilities: Please contact
[email protected] if you require any information in plain text format, or if any other accommodation can make the course material and/or physical space accessible to you. Course Schedule and Required Readings September 13. Introduction, Organization, and Theories of Political Control of Bureaucracy Required Readings:
Frederickson, Chs. 1, 2. Wilson, Woodrow. 1887. The Study of Administration. Political Science Quarterly 2(2): 197-222. Weber, Max. 1922. Bureaucracy (posted on the course’s OWL site).
September 14. Morning: Theories of Bureaucratic Politics Required Readings: Frederickson, Ch. 3. Long, Norton E. 1949. Power and Administration. Public Administration Review 9(4): 257-64. Rosenbloom, David H. 1993. Editorial: Have an Administrative Rx? Don’t Forget the Politics. Public Administration Review 53(6): 503-07. Afternoon: Decision Theory and Rational Choice Required Readings: Frederickson, Chs. 7, 8. Lindblom, Charles E. 1959. The Science of Muddling Through. Public Administration Review 19(2): 79-88. Tiebout, Charles M. 1956. A Pure Theory of Local Expenditures. The Journal of Political Economy 64(5): 416-24. October 18. Public Institutional Theory Required Readings: Frederickson, Ch. 4. March, James G. and Johan P. Olsen. 1984. The New Institutionalism: Organizational Factors in Political Life. The American Political Science Review 78(3): 734-749. Hooghe, Liesbet and Gary Marks. Unraveling the Central State, but How? Types of Multi-Level Governance. The American Political Science Review 97(2): 233-243 October 19. Public Institutional Theory Cont’d Morning: Metropolitan Organization and Intergovernmental Support Required Readings: Ostrom, Vincent, Charles M. Tiebout and Robert Warren. 1961. The Organization of Government in Metropolitan Areas: A Theoretical Inquiry. The American Political Science Review 55(4): 831-842. 3
Lyons, W. E. and David Lowery. 1989. Governmental Fragmentation versus Consolidation: Five Public-Choice Myths about How to Create Informed, Involved, and Happy Citizens. Public Administration Review 49(6): 533-43. Fainstein, Susan S. and Norman I. Fainstein. 1978. National Policy and Urban Development. Social Problems 26(2): 125-146.
Afternoon: Special Purpose Districts and Municipal Governments Required Readings: Mullin, Megan. 2008. The Conditional Effect of Specialized Governance on Public Policy. American Journal of Political Science 52(1): 125-141. Berry, Christopher. 2008. Piling On: Multilevel Government and the Fiscal Common Pool. American Journal of Political Science 52(4): 802-820.
November 9. Critical and Postmodern Theories Required Readings: Frederickson, Ch. 7, pgs. 142-164. Harvey, David. 1989. From Managerialism to Entrepreneurialism: The Transformation in Urban Governance in Late Capitalism. Geografisca Annaler 71(1): 3-17. Young, Robert. 1978. Steven Lukes’ Radical View of Power. Canadian Journal of Political Science 11(3): 639-49. November 10. Public Management and Governance Theories Morning: Public Management Theories Required Readings: Frederickson, Ch. 5. Hood, Christopher. 1991. A Public Management for all Seasons? Public Administration 69(1): 3-19. Denhardt, Robert B. and Janet V. Denhardt. 2000. The New Public Service: Serving Rather than Steering. Public Administration Review 60(6): 549-59. Afternoon: Governance Theories Required Readings: Frederickson, Ch. 9. Peters, Guy B. and John Pierre. 1998. Governance without Government? Rethinking Public Administration. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 8(2): 223-43. Papadopoulos, Yannis. 2010. Accountability and Multi-Level Governance: More Accountability, Less Democracy? West European Politics 33(5): 1030-49.
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