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College of Arts and Sciences |
PA6699
Capstone in Public Administration
COURSE SYLLABUS
Last updated September 9, 2016
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For course syllabus posted prior to the beginning of the
term, the instructor reserves the right to make minor changes prior to or
during the term. The instructor will notify students, via e-mail or Blackboard
announcement, when changes are made in the requirements and/or grading of
the course.
eTROY Courses At Troy University
All eTROY courses at Troy University utilize Blackboard Learning System. In
every eTROY course, students should read all information presented in the Blackboard
course site and should periodically check for updates—at least every 48 hours.
Remember: This is not a “correspondence course” in which a student may work at his/her own pace. Each week there will be assignments, on-line discussions, online activities and/or exams with due dates. Refer to the Course Schedule at the end of this syllabus for more information.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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MPA eQuad
As an active MPA student you have access to the MPA eQuad located on your eTROY Blackboard page under "Organizations". The MPA eQuad is your immediate access point to information and links for suggested course sequencing, course concentrations, registration, MPA and eTROY forms, major program requirements, professional opportunities, MPA program orientation, faculty advising, "live" chat access and much more. Visit the MPA eQuad 24/7 for the latest program happenings and to review the available resources. Please take approximately 4 minutes to view this video link to find out what the MPA eQuad can do for you: http://trojan.troy.edu/artsandsciences/politicalscience/mpa/how-to-access-eQuad-advising.html
COURSE INFORMATION:
Prerequisites: PA6699 may not be taken unless all core courses in the PA program have been completed, or in special circumstances with instructor permission PA6699 may be taken in conjunction with the last core course in the program. A 3.0 Grade Point Average is required to enroll in PA6699.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The required outcome assessment course using case analyses, papers, and /or computer simulations that emphasize the application of analytical skills and knowledge gained from curriculum courses to administrative, organizational, and policy problems. To enroll in PA 6699, students must have a 3.0 grade point average or better and take PA 6699 as the final core course or, with the approval of the instructor, in conjunction with the final core course in the MPA program. To complete this course successfully, the student must achieve a grade of “B” or better. Students should retain core course textbooks for use in PA 6699.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Demonstrate the competency to integrate, synthesize, and apply the multiple concepts, methods, and processes that reflect the theory and practice of Public Administration using the seven (7) MPA program core courses to identify and define the key problems/issues, desired short- and long-term goals, objectives, and outcomes; and key stakeholders (internal and external) with their motivating role(s) and agenda(s).
2. Confirm a mastery of the concepts, methods, and processes that reflect the theory and practice of Public Administration using each of the MPA seven (7) program core courses relevant to the student’s catalog year: PA 6601 Research Methods, PA 6603 Economics for Public Management OR PA 6631 Program Evaluation, PA 6620 Theory of Organizations OR PA6646 Organizational Behavior, PA6624 Public Human Resource Management, PA6622 Public Policy Analysis, PA6650 Governmental Budgeting and Financial Management, and PA 6640 Intergovernmental Relations, PA 6644 Administrative Law, OR PA 6674 Ethics in Public Administration.
3. Demonstrate the competency to analyze complex public sector issues, identify, compare, and contrast potential solutions, and defend courses of action by integrating and synthesizing multiple theoretical and policy perspectives.
4. Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate decision methodology for selecting a single solution to a problem from among several choices and utilize selection criteria and a decision matrix to make a rational choice of an appropriate solution to solve a public sector problem.
5. Demonstrate the competency to integrate, synthesize, and apply the multiple concepts, methods, and processes that reflect the theory and practice of Public Administration using the seven (7) MPA program core courses to develop an implementation plan for a chosen course of action, identify potential obstacles to its successful implementation, and develop a plan for its evaluation.
6. Demonstrate the ability to research complex public issues and present information in writing.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES: Students will demonstrate professional competency required to lead and manage in public governance by interpreting, integrating, synthesizing and applying theoretical and policy perspectives from the seven (7) MPA program core courses
Student Expectation Statement
- Interaction will take place primarily via the course discussion board supported
by email as needed. Weekly postings are required to the discussion board in
response to posted assignments. I will respond to each posting and provide
general responses to the class.
- In addition to instructor-student interaction, student to student interaction
is expected in the discussion board, and specific group assignments will be
posted that require such interaction. I assess that interaction by reviewing
the group discussion board I will create for each group.
- Students are to participate in this course by following the guidelines of
this syllabus and any additional information I will provide during the term.
- The student is expected to remain in regular contact with the instructor
and class via email or other communication means by participating in the discussion
forums, submitting assignments, and taking exams.
- TROY requires instructors to respond to students’ emails within 24
hours Monday-Thursday and 48 hours Friday-Sunday, but I normally respond to
all questions and issues within 24 hours or faster.
- As the instructor, I will communicate on the Blackboard Announcements page,
in the discussion board for the appropriate week and/or via email. Check your
email, the announcements section of Blackboard and especially the discussion
board area daily.
Internet Access
Since this is an on-line class, students must have access to a working computer and access to the internet. Students can use the TROY computer lab, a public library, etc., to insure they have access. Not having a computer or computer crashes are not acceptable excuses for late work. Have a backup plan in place in case you have computer problems.
Useful Web Sites for This Course:
See the External Links section in Blackboard.
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED:
There will be no textbook required for the course. Handouts will be provided for the assigned weekly case analysis work.
Required Additional Reading
None
Recommended Additional Reading
Stillman, Richard J., (2005), Public administration, concepts and cases, 8th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS (See eTROY Policies and Procedures in Blackboard)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS:
a. Class Preparation and Individual and Group Case Analyses/Critiques: Students are expected to participate fully in all areas of the class, read all assigned material, and participate in individual and group discussions. Students will be assigned cases for analysis/critique and discussion individually and in groups. Cases must be presented in the Discussion Board using the attached case analysis worksheet as an outline: Case Analysis Worksheet. Weekly case analysis work constitutes 50% of the course grade.
b. Examinations: A proctored course final examination consisting of a complex case analysis will be used to measure students' ability to analyze, integrate, and articulate understanding and application of MPA curriculum concepts. The final examination which accounts for 50% of the grade will be scheduled during week eight of the term.
Examination Schedule & Instructions
The final examination must be completed during Week 8 of the course, and consists of a single complex case analysis chosen by the TROY MPA Faculty, with the same case being used in all PA6699 courses conducted in a single term to ensure consistency in the assessment process. The examination will be graded using the Assessment Rubric provided to students, and will equal 50% of the course grade. Six hours will be allowed to complete the closed book no-note exam.
Proctored Examination
Since there will be a proctored examination for this course, be sure to follow the instructions for establishing a proctor capability.
This course will include one proctored final exam which will be made accessible in Blackboard for preparation in MS Word in a proctored setting for submission in Blackboard. The proctor will have the password available for students to access the exam information at the time of sitting for the exam. The dates of this exam will be from Sunday at the end of Week 7 through close of business, Monday of Week 9. Additional information will be posted in the Week 8 Assignment Area and/or the Exam Area of Blackboard once the course begins. You are responsible for choosing an acceptable proctor available for the six hours allowed for the exam, and submitting the online proctor form to eTROY before the deadline. Instructions for doing so may be found at http://trojan.troy.edu/etroy/testing/ or under the Student Resources Proctoring button in Blackboard. The proctor form will be available shortly after the beginning of the term and immediate preparation is important. All questions about the proctor form or proctor options should be directed to eTROY. Contact information is available at the posted link.
GRADING POLICY:
The course grade is a compilation of scores achieved on the course elements noted under the grading scale below. All work is graded on a 100 point scale. Those scores are then multiplied by the percentage weight noted below. Weekly homework is valued at a maximum of 100 points per week. Late work is assessed a minimum of a 10 point per day penalty if submitted after the due date/time. Students can view their progress in the Blackboard grade book at any time. The final course weighted score will tell students what their course grade will be in accordance with the grading standard below. A grading rubric will be made available at the beginning of the course or earlier via a link in this syllabus.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Unexcused late assignment will be assessed a penalty of at least ten points per day and may include zero value for the assignment. Any barrier to timely submission must be discussed with me in advance.
| a. Grading Standard: | b. Weighted Percentages: |
| 90-100 = A | Individual Case Analyses/Critiques - 25% (10% per assignment) |
| 80-89 = B | Group Case Analyses/Critiques - 25% (10% per assignment) |
| 70-79 = C | Course Examination (Case Analysis) - 50% |
| 60-69 = D | |
| 59 and Under = F | |
| FA | “FA” indicates the student failed due to attendance. This grade is given to any student who disappears from the course for three or more weeks. See the Attendance section of this syllabus for additional information. |
COURSE POLICIES:
Attendance Policy
Although physical class meetings are not part of this course, participation in all interactive learning activities is required via Blackboard discussion boards and other assigned methods in accordance with assignments and submission deadlines.
Submitting
Assignments
Weekly assignments must be posted directly to the discussion board by the
submission deadline. If the work was prepared in MS Word and then pasted into the Discussion Board, a link to an attachment of the same work should be included so I can see the original work to avoid questions about formatting issues in Blackboard. The weekly assignments will be the primary
interaction mechanism for the course, and accounts for 50% of the course grade. Instructor comments and discussion of
student submissions will be provided each week. These assignments will assist
the student in preparing for the examination which equals the other 50% of the grade. A live online session will be scheduled early in the course to explain course requirements and answer student questions.
Submit papers in Standard English using a 12-point format, 1-inch margins, and double spacing in MS-Word format. The American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines are the standards for writing and referencing papers in the MPA program. Use the APA Research Style guidelines found at: http://trojan.troy.edu/writingcenter/
Failure to submit assignments on time will result in point deductions as noted above. All time deadlines are in Central US Time.
eTROY Policies and Procedures
Click on the Syllabus tab at the Blackboard site that supports this course a link to the following important eTROY Policies and Procedures:
Method of Instruction
Student/Faculty Interaction Expectations
Internet Access Requirements
Technology Requirements
Technical Support Center
TROY E-Mail
Textbooks(s) and/or Other Materials Needed
Library Support
Honesty and Plagiarism Policy
Late Registration
Attendance Policy
Make-Up Work Policy
Incomplete Grade Policy
Non-Harassment Policy
Adaptive Needs (ADA) Policy
Faculty Evaluation
eTROY Contact Information
Site Map for Your Blackboard Course Site
To obtain a site map to enable students to navigate through the Blackboard
course, please go to the Blackboard course site and click on the Start Here
button found in the course functions menu on the left.
COURSE SCHEDULE/CALENDAR OF WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
Week One:
Introduction of course requirements, discussion of case analysis process, posting of student information, assignment of groups, and case analysis assignments.
Week Two:
First case analysis or critique, depending on class size.
Week Three:
Second case analysis or critique depending on class size.
Week Four:
Group case analysis & critiques (some groups complete analyses others critique)
Week Five:
Group case analysis & critiques (reversed roles from Week 4)
Week Six:
Case analysis as assigned.
Week Seven:
Case analysis as assigned.
Final exam will be made available after the seventh week for completion during week eight.
Week Eight:
Proctored complex case analysis final exam to be completed during this week.
Week Nine:
Final Class Discussions