Public Affairs

PUB_AF 1000: Principles of Public Policy Administration

This course introduces students to the basics of public administration and policy implementation. It focuses on what happens after public policy is passed. Students will learn how actors within and outside of government influence the administrative aspects of public policy, what motivates and influences the decision making of the individuals within the administrative state, and how non-government organizations are often tasked with administering public services. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand what makes for successful or unsuccessful implementation of public policy by public (and non-government) organizations. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4001: Topics in Public Affairs

Selected topics in public affairs.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4001H: Topics in Public Affairs - Honors

Selected topics in public affairs.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Honors eligibility required

PUB_AF 4175: Early Childhood Policy

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7175). This course explores early childhood development issues and their impacts on policy formation. We will study a range of family situations in the United States and other countries (e.g., maternal employment and job policies, divorce, child abuse and neglect) that may be of concern for child policy analysts and policy makers. Additionally, we will examine the effects of different early childhood programs in the United States and other countries using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. This course is applied in focus; as such, by the end of the semester, students should expect to understand policy analysis and the trade-offs of implementing policy choices, as well as be able to apply analytical skills for early childhood and family policies. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Recommended: undergraduate junior or senior level; instructor consent

PUB_AF 4210: Ethics and Leadership

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7210). Ethical literacy is a significant dimension of the discovery of who we are as human beings. A sophisticated awareness of ethical literacy is especially important for those who wish to understand or act within the political realm. This course draws on a mix of ancient and contemporary texts in ethics to examine the role of ethical sensitivity and reasoning in leadership.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4340: Regional and Economic Development Policy

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7340). Presents an overview of historical perspectives and current practice in regional development policy. Topics include the major theories of economic development in the U.S., major trends affecting local economic development, local strategies for economic development, analyzing data from secondary sources, and federal strategies for economic development and regional collaboration. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Recommended: Senior standing, instructor consent

PUB_AF 4420: Program Assessment and Improvement

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7420). Program Assessment and Improvement provides a broad overview of the approaches and tools used to conduct research on the implementation and impact of programs in public and nonprofit sectors. Students learn to formulate research questions and methods for answering them, all in an applied environment that will translate into practical and actionable goals in the public and nonprofit workplace. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4430: Public Policy Analysis

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7430). This course provides an introduction to public policy analysis. The key elements of policy analysis are introduced: problem structuring, monitoring, evaluation, forecasting, policy simulation, and recommendation.

Credit Hours: 3
Recommended: We suggest students have a foundation in economics (ECONOM 1014) and public policy (PUB_AF 1000)

PUB_AF 4520: Human Resources Management and Development in Public and Nonprofit Sector

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7520). Examines the political, economic, and legal context of the personnel function, as well as the technical aspects of the personnel administrator's job. Stresses the dynamics of bureaucratic organizations. Students taking this course toward the Public Administration and Policy degree must take course as A-F grading basis.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4540: Local Government Management

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7540). Organization and division of service responsibility within local governments. Problems of managing delivery of services with special emphasis upon program implementation, productivity, planning, responsiveness. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4700: Social Entrepreneurship

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7700). This course will help illustrate social entrepreneurship in a broad sense and understand how it differs from entrepreneurship as understood in the private sector, social innovation and social enterprise. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 4710: The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 7710). This course introduces students to the nature and purpose of the nonprofit sector including definition, boundaries, and roles. This course also explores basic aspects of nonprofit governance, management, and resource acquisition. Overall, this course is designed to help students build their awareness of the role and importance of the nonprofit sector and better prepare them to be nonprofit and public sector leaders. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7001: Topics in Public Affairs

Select current topics in public affairs. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: consent required

PUB_AF 7175: Early Childhood Policy

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4175). This course provides an understanding of early childhood development issues and their impact on policy formation. Will study different family situations in the US and other countries (e.g. maternal employment and job policies, divorce, child abuse and neglect) that may be a concern for child policy makers and analysis. In addition we are going to examine the effects of different early childhood programs in the US and other countries around the world. Also, US federal regulations that have an impact on child policy, such as the National Health Policy and Welfare reform will be examined. Will use both qualitative and quantitative criteria to analyze these policies. This course is applied in focus, so by the and of the semester students should be able to understand policy analysis and the trade-offs of implementing policy choices, as well as being able to develop analytical skills for early childhood and family policies in their work. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7176: Early Childhood Education and Care Today: Policy, Leadership, and Policy Advocacy

In the United States, early childhood education and care (ECEC) is heavily influenced by the government through the fiscal investments made and the regulations that are applied to those programmatic and workforce investments. This course is designed to focus on: (i) the practice and process of policymaking; (ii) the practice of policy advocacy; and (iii) leadership and ethics. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7210: Ethics and Leadership

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4210). Ethical literacy is a significant dimension of the discovery of who we are as human beings. A sophisticated awareness of ethical literacy is especially important for those who wish to understand or act within the political realm. This course draws on a mix of ancient and contemporary texts in ethics to examine the role of ethical sensitivity and reasoning in leadership. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7330: Scientific and Technological Aspects Terrorism and Counter Terrorism

(same as NU_ENG 7330). Terrorism has been a familiar tool of political conflict, and it has assumed greater importance during the past twenty years. This subject has been treated by political scientists in various forms, but the scientific and technological aspects of different forms of terrorism cannot be found in a single place. It is important for persons who propose counter measures to understand the basics of different types of terrorism such as for instance the nature of chemical agents, their properties such as toxicity, etc. in order to build better defense systems.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7340: Regional and Economic Development Policy

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4340). Presents an overview of historical perspectives and current practice in regional development policy. Topics include the major theories of economic development in the U.S., major trends affecting local economic development, local strategies for economic development, analyzing data from secondary sources, and federal strategies for economic development and regional collaboration. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7357: Health Economics for Public Affairs

(same as ECONOM 7357; cross-leveled with ECONOM 4357). This course analyzes the economics of health care in the United States with particular attention to the role of government. It examines the demand for health care and the structure and consequences of public and private heath insurance; the supply of health care, including professional training, licensure, speculation and compensation, hospital competition and finance, and the determinants and consequences of technical change in medicine, as well as an examination of recent proposals and initiatives for health care reform.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ECONOM 3251 or ECONOM 4351 and (STAT 2200 or STAT 2500 or ECONOM 3271) or equivalent

PUB_AF 7420: Program Assessment and Improvement

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4420). Program Assessment and Improvement provides a broad overview of the approaches and tools used to conduct research on the implementation and impact of programs in public and nonprofit sectors. Students learn to formulate research questions and methods for answering them, all in an applied environment that will translate into practical and actionable goals in the public and nonprofit workplace. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7430: Public Policy Analysis

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4430). This course provides an introduction to public policy analysis. The key elements of policy analysis are introduced: problem structuring, monitoring, evaluation, forecasting, policy simulation, and recommendation. Graded on A-F basis.

Credit Hours: 3
Recommended: We suggest students have a foundation in economics (ECONOM 1014 or PUB_AF 8190 ) and public policy (PUB_AF 1000 or PUB_AF 7170)

PUB_AF 7520: Human Resources Management and Development in Public and Nonprofit Sector

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4520). Examines the political, economic, and legal context of the personnel function, as well as the technical aspects of the personnel administrator's job. Stresses the dynamics of bureaucratic organizations. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7540: Local Government Management

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4540). Organization and division of service responsibility within local governments. Problems of managing delivery of services with special emphasis upon program implementation, productivity, planning, responsiveness. Graded on A-F basis.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7700: Social Entrepreneurship

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4700). This course will help illustrate social entrepreneurship in a broad sense and understand how it differs from entrepreneurship as understood in the private sector, social innovation and social enterprise. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7710: The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector

(cross-leveled with PUB_AF 4710). This course introduces students to the nature and purpose of the nonprofit sector including definition, boundaries, and roles. This course also explores basic aspects of nonprofit governance, management, and resource acquisition. Overall, this course is designed to help students build their awareness of the role and importance of the nonprofit sector and better prepare them to be nonprofit and public sector leaders. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 7810: Comparative and Global Governance

This course examines governance and the policy process at the international. Course topics include differences in political regimes, the structure and powers of institutions and the effect on quality of governance, roles of multi-national and non-governmental organizations in coordinating efforts to promote peace and security, human rights, education, health, and economic development. The course also examines the situations within the world's poorest countries and how the international community act to improve the lives of citizens. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8001: Topics in Public Affairs

Select current topics in public affairs.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent

PUB_AF 8085: Problems in Public Affairs

Intensive study of an area of public affairs related to the student's special interest.

Credit Hour: 1-99

PUB_AF 8110: Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Management

This course introduces students to the field of public and nonprofit management. It examines the histories of public and nonprofit management in the US and provides students with the knowledge of some subfields. Graded on A-F only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8150: Collaborative Governance

Political, economic, and social context of government and public service; examines theories and models of collaborative governance and implications for policy-making, public management, and public service delivery. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8160: Organizational Dynamics and Leadership

Focuses on understanding human action in administrative situations and on developing personal capacities for effective action in varied and difficult organizational situations. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8170: Public Policy Processes and Strategies

Processes through which public demands are generated, converted into public policy, and implemented. Examines the intersection of politics, policy, and management as well as the diverse strategies and tools of public action. Graded on A-F basis.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8171: Environmental Policy

This course is an introduction to U.S. environmental policy, focusing on important political institutions and political actors. The course provides a survey of the primary laws, regulations, and policies that comprise pollution control and natural resource management policy.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8174: Social Policy

This seminar will examine the nature and extent of poverty in the U.S., its causes and consequences, and the antipoverty effects of existing and proposed government programs and policies.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8177: Energy Economics

The course examines economic theory and empirical analyses of global energy supply and demand. It examines the role of non-renewable and renewable energy in the economy and trends in energy production and consumption. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Recommended: Principles of Economics, Instructor's permission

PUB_AF 8178: Sustainable Energy Policy

This course examines the concept of sustainability as it applies to energy production and consumption, and explores policy options for achieving sustainable energy use.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8177
Recommended: Principles of Economics, Instructor's permission

PUB_AF 8180: Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs I

Introduction to research methods for graduate students in public affairs. Topics include measurement, quantitative description, problem definition, the policy research process, and basic analytical tools commonly applied in public affairs. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8181: Research Methods and Inquiry in Public Affairs II

Advanced topics and applications in research methods for public affairs. Topics include: multivariate analysis and other advanced quantitative techniques; evaluation of policy research products.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8180 or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 8190: Economic Analysis for Public Affairs

Application of tools of economic analysis to understand and interpret the behavior of government, consumers and producers. Sources of economic inefficiency, including market failures and limitations, and policy solutions. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8195: Economic Analysis for Public Policy - Mid Career

Application of tools of economic analysis to understand and interpret the behavior of government, consumers and producers. Sources of economic inefficiency, including market failures and limitations , and policy solutions.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent

PUB_AF 8210: Public Service and Democracy

This course examines some of the challenges of public service in a liberal democracy. It addresses basic questions about the design of institutions through which public power is exercised and about the ethical and administrative obligations of people who work within those institutions. The aim of the course is to provide students with tools for thinking about such questions, and practice addressing them. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8211: MPA Capstone (Applied Project)

Application of concepts and methods of public affairs to actual policy or management problems. Diagnosis of problem or decision situation, collection of relevant data, development of alternative solutions, recommendations of proposed course of action.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8280: Public Affairs Internship

Gives students an opportunity to gain experience in government operations by providing supervised work with an agency at the local, state, or federal level of government or in nonprofit agencies. Graded on A-F basis.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8282: Practicum in Public Affairs

Supervised field experience in an approved community, public agency, or nonprofit organizations. Opportunity for observation and participation under the guidance of a qualified advisor. Formal study of advanced theories and techniques is integrated into the student's experience. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 3-6
Prerequisites: advanced standing and instructor's consent required

PUB_AF 8320: Spatial Analysis for Public Affairs

Examines theoretical and empirical issues related to the spatial analysis of economic activity and local public issues. Major topics include the role of the public sector, the economics of public services, social accounting matrices, input-output analysis, econometric models of regional economies, and geographic information systems. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8350: Regional Development Issues and Analysis

(same as AAE 8350). Examines theories of regional growth and development and methods for analysis with applications to current policy issues. Topics include firm location, new economic geography and agglomeration theory, clusters, human capital, migration, social capital, tax and development incentives, and sustainable regional development. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ECONOM 7351 or PUB_AF 8190 or equivalent

PUB_AF 8420: Public Program Evaluation

Covers implementation and outcome evaluation models, research design strategies, and data collection methods used to assess the effectiveness of public programs and means of their improvement. Graded on A/F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8181 or equivalent

PUB_AF 8510: Public Budgeting and Taxation

Intensive study of the institutions, processes, politics, and social and economic impact of public taxation and expenditures.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8530: Strategic Management of Public Service Organizations: People, Information and Money

Presents the rationale for strategic planning, and techniques and processes to develop and implement strategic planning in the public sector. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8610: Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution

Focuses on the study of group psychology in the context of communities and organizations. It provides a specific examination of the emergence and resolution of conflict. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8620: Organizational Analysis and Change

Investigates processes and methodologies of organizational diagnosis, intervention strategies, and the role of a change agent. Graded on A-F basis.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8630: Organizational Change in a Community and Global Context

Examines changing organizations in their task environments, which include communities and the global economy. The phenomenon of ambiguous boundaries between public and private as well as nonprofit sectors will be investigated as these profound changes impact organizational behavior. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8720: Budgeting and Financial Management in the Nonprofit Sector

Nature and environment of public and nonprofit financial administration. Principles of accountability for management of public and nonprofit funds; management and investment of cash balances; special problems related to long- and short-term debt. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8830: Grant Writing I

Provides students with knowledge regarding the process of seeking grant funding. Students will work in small groups to complete a letter proposal. They will experience the peer review process both as applicant and reviewer. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8831: Grant Writing II

Provides students with knowledge regarding the process of seeking grant funding. Students will work in small groups to complete a full-blown state or federal grant proposal. They will experience the peer review process both as applicant and reviewer. The course will cover a variety of funding sources and a range of funding types to provide students with an information base for preparing future grant applications.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8830

PUB_AF 8832: Sponsor Relationships

Provides students with knowledge of the landscape and culture of grant seeking with an emphasis on understanding how private and public sector sponsors are in many ways, significantly different enterprises. Students will gain an understanding of the pivotal role relationships play in grant seeking and gain an appreciation of the particularities and rigors of both public and private grant seeking.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Proposed Grant Writing 2 course

PUB_AF 8833: Grant Award Management

Provides students with knowledge regarding the process and policies entailed in managing grant awards. Course content includes federal OMB circulars, basic human resource issues, project management strategies, reporting obligations, and project close-out.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Proposed Grant Writing 2 course

PUB_AF 8850: Policies and Institutions of the European Union

Policies and Institutions of the European Union

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 8860: International Comparative Rural Policy

(same as AAE 8860, NAT_R 8860). Compares the rural policy objectives and implementation strategies of various countries, and assesses these policies in terms of economic, social, environmental outcomes and their implications for international relations. Includes 2-weeks of study Abroad. May be repeated for credit. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent

PUB_AF 8864: Administrative Law

(same as LAW 5310). Administrative Law is concerned with the process government agencies use to make decisions. As such it develops the requirements for establishing rules and policies. It also covers the means by which agencies enforce regulations and statutory provisions, and the means for securing judicial review of rules and enforcement actions. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

PUB_AF 9000: Directed Individual Study

Supervised readings and research in area of doctoral specialization. Student must submit formal written proposal to doctoral supervising faculty member prior to registration. May be repeated up to 6 hours.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9090: Dissertation

Independent research for Ph.D. dissertation. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-99
Prerequisites: PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9150: Governance and Public Affairs

Examines theories of governance, the role of the state and other social institutions. Other topics include administrative reform, the new public management, and the emergence of the multi-sector public service. International comparative dimensions emphasized. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8150, PhD standing or permission of professor

PUB_AF 9160: Organization Studies in Public Affairs

Examines theories of public and nonprofit organizations, including classical and contemporary perspectives in organization science; individual and group behavior; leadership, power and influence; organization design and structure; and organizational culture. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9170: Policy Theory

This seminar examines theories on the policy process, institutions, and delegation of power that influence public policy. Topics covered may include agenda setting, policy design, implementation, legislative decision-making, state political institutions, and federalism. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9180: Advanced Research Methods for Public Affairs I

Focuses on multiple regression analysis, the implications and treatment of serial correlation, heteroskedasticity, multicollinerarity, specification error, and measurement error. Students estimate models, use diagnostic information, and interpret and present findings for public affairs. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8180 or equivalent, PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9181: Advanced Research Methods for Public Affairs II

The seminar examines statistical modeling tools for limited dependent variables and complex data situations, such as time-series cross-sectional data, clustered observations, and multilevel data. Other topics include simultaneous equation modes and instrument variable in public affairs. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 9180 or equivalent, PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9182: Logics of Inquiry in Public Affairs

This course examines the philosophical foundations of social inquiry public affairs. Topics include investigation of epistemological and methodological issues in development and use of social research, and exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of multiple paradigms in public affairs. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9183: Public Affairs Research and Professional Development Seminar

Research and professional development through participation in research seminars, colloquia, academic conferences, lectures, and professional workshops. Students required to register every spring semester in residence. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1
Prerequisites: PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9184: Government and Public Affairs Teaching Training Seminar

This seminar prepares government and public affairs graduate students to serve as independent instructors. To this end, the seminar is designed to help students understand syllabus design, improve their lecturing, become more effective at leading discussions, and develop active learning strategies. Problem-solving strategies are also introduced, such as methods to address academic dishonesty, manage student concerns, and reduce conflict situations in the classroom. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1

PUB_AF 9185: Supervised Research

Research experience directed by major professor designed to prepare doctoral students for independent scholarship in area of doctoral specialization.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: PUB_AF 8150, PhD standing or permission of instructor

PUB_AF 9446: Advanced Empirical Methods

(same as ECONOM 9446). Empirical and modeling techniques for evaluation of microeconomic policy questions. Graded A-F only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Instructors consent or PUB_AF 8181, PUB_AF 9180, and PUB_AF 9181

PUB_AF 9447: Topics in Microeconomic Policy Analysis

Applies the methods and techniques of microeconomics and to specific timely policy questions. Taught by applied-microeconomics faculty and focuses on current topics in labor economics, public economics, crime economics, the economics of education, health economics, and other applied areas of microeconomics. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Instructor's consent
Recommended: PUB_AF 8181, PUB_AF 9180 and PUB_AF 9181