Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Introducing the City. PMAP 2011 is designed to introduce students to the study of cities and urban policy issues. It draws upon a variety of the social sciences to answer questions such as how cities have changed over time, what kinds of people live in cities, why are people and things located where they are in cities, how people in cities earn a living, and how cities are governed. Often, Atlanta will serve as a case study for illustrating many of the issues that will be considered.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Policy and Politics in the American City. This course is designed to introduce students to the study of policy and political issues in American cities. It draws upon a variety of the social sciences to answer questions such as how cities have changed over time, what kinds of people live in cities, why people and things are located where they are in cities, how people in cities earn a living, and how cities are governed. Often, Atlanta will serve as a case study for illustrating many of the issues that will be considered.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Citizenship, the Community, and the Public Sector-CTW. Citizenship is a basic component of a democratic society. Students in this course learn the structure of the federal system as well as the responsibilities and obligations of an individual to government at all levels. Emphasis is placed on the variety of roles an individual can play in relationship to the public sector. The role of the individual as a part of the larger community is also considered. Students are expected to become active participants in public and community affiars. The department has designated Citizenship, the Community, and the Pubic Service as a CTW (Critical Thinking through Writing) course.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Policy Leadership. In the simplest terms, this course is about character in it's dictionary sense of "'moral excellence." We will be concerned with how we should behave as responsible individuals in the communities in which we live and work. That concern will not involve assertations of absolute "shoulds"--of what you or I should or should not do in specific situations-but will focus instead on stimulating thinking about what is best to do and why, both as individuals and sometimes as leaders, too. Toward that end, the course will examine several related broad topics: (1) leadership, perspectives on the nature, techniques, and exercise of leadership and its necessary companion, "followership"; (2) ethics, the pursuit of what's right and just; (3) citizenship, our rights and responsibilities in a democratic society; (4) the multisector context-private businesses, government, nonprofit agencies, and various communities-in which these topics assume meaning.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Urban Political Economy. An examination of the intersection of the political and economic systems in the United States and how they impact urban areas. Of particular interest are urban development policies.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Introduction to Nonprofits. The course provides an overview of the nonprofit sector in society with a consideration of the nonprofit sector's relationship to government and business. Attention will be given to the social settings in which nonprofit organizations function, the role of the nonprofit sector in the economy, and the range of services these organizations produce. The intent of the course is to increase students' awareness of the role and importance of the nonprofit sector and the potential of nonprofits as a place for employment. The class is required for all students in the Nonprofit Leadership concentration in the BS degree with a major in Public Policy.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Career Development in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. This course focuses on policies and methods used to align the career plans and aspirations of employees with the goals and critical skills needs of public and nonprofit agencies. Major career development system components are examined, including targeted selection, job enrichment, fast-tracking, core competency asessments, work-family programs, diversity initiatives, executive development, and succession planning. Career planning and development issues and problems that affect persons during different career and life stages are addressed.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Nonprofit Financial Resources. Prerequisite: PMAP 3210. Nonprofit organizations support themselves through many different sources including charitable gifts and grants, government grants and contracts, earned income from fees, memberships and sponsorships, returns on investments, volunteer labor, and gifs-in-kind and other sources. This course is intended to introduce students to the practical considerations involved in developing and utilizing particular sources of income so that nonprofit organizations can effectively advance their particular missions, sustain the infrastructure of their organizations and remain financially healthy.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Nonprofit Leadership and Management. This course will examine the theorical and practical differences associated with leading and managing nonprofit organizations in contrast to for-profit and government organizations. Theories and analytic frameworks about leadership and management will be examined along with the appropriate roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers of nonprofit charitable organizations. In addition, other topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, board governance, philanthropy, program evaluation, public-private partnerships, and accountability. The role of leaders and managers will be integrated in all discussion topics throughout the course.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Critical Policy Issues. This course examines a selected number of critical issues in public policy. The course provides a view of how the processes of public policy operate from agenda setting through formulation and legitimation to implementation and eventual evaluation with examples drawn from several areas of policy.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Contemporary Planning. This course introduces the student to the principles, issues, and practice of urban planning. It reviews the history of planning, models of the planning process, and issues in contemporary urban planning practice in several substantive specialities, including transportation, land use, environmental, and economic development planning.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Introduction to Human Resource Development (HRD) in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. This course introduces students to the human resource development (HRD) profession and its application in the public and nonprofit sectors. Issues and roles associate with the design and development of training programs, organization development (OD) interventions, and strategies for career development counseling are addressed through research findins and case studies.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Public Administration and Politics. Bureaucratic polities and behavior in the political process. The role of bureaucrats in policy making and implementation agency strategies, relations with other executive agencies and with the legislature, the president, the judiciary and clientele groups.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Governmental Budgeting. (Same as PolS 3770.) A study of fiscal planning and management in the administrative process, budgetary theory, and the budget process.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Policy Data Analysis. This course focuses on quantitative research methods applicable to the study of public policy. Students will be introduced to the use of descriptive statistics as well as to the development and testing of empirical hypotheses using basic inferential statistical methods.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Evaluating Public Policy-CTW. This course will survey research methods applicable to the evaluation of public policy. Course topics will cover fundamental techniques and practice of program evaluation for effectiveness in program administration. The course contrasts deductive and inductive approaches as well as the advantages of using evaluation as a mechanism for program improvement. The department has designated Evaluating Public Policy as a CTW (Critical Thinking through Writing) course.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Introduction to Policy Analysis. Prerequisites: Econ 2105 and Econ 2106. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the principles of policy analysis. The course will consider concepts such as market failure, public goods, and externalities, as well as other justifications for government involvement. The course will also consider the relationship between public goals and the design of policy and will survey the use of generic policy tools such as regulation, markets, and subsidies. These concepts will be presented using practical examples involving the public sector, and students will practice application through problem solving.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Issues and Problems in Personnel Management Systems for Public and Nonprofit Agencies. This course provides an introduction to personnel administration for public and nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on human capital issues and problems that challenge policy makers and managers. The course concentrates on the policy issues and problems that challenge today's human resources specialists, managers, and supervisors. Students will study policy issues from the political, legal, and organizational perspectives. Topics covered include equal employment opportunity and the glass ceiling, affirmative action and diversity, sexual harassment law and policy, alternative approaches to pay and benefits, employee health and safety and employer liability, and adapting personnel policies to the needs of the new American workforce. Problems related to recruitment, selection, compensation, career development and training, and collective bargaining are examined, and possible solutions to these problems are evaluated. Emphasis is placed on active participation and problem solving through group case study analysis and class discussions.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Organizational Contexts of Public and Nonprofit Personnel Policy and Administration. This course explores concepts related to how complex public and non-profit organizations function as social-psychological and cultural settings for strategic human resource planning and development efforts. Links between cultural norms, individual and group behavior, organizational performance, and planned change social-technical systems are explored.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Local Governance. An introductory course for urban governance students and others interested in the management of local government. The course encompasses public administration, political science, management and other subjects.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Planning Theory and Analysis. Prerequisites: PMAP 3411. A course using computer spreadsheets and assigned readings to analyze planning and economic development issues. Case problems may include population, employment, land use, environmental, and transportation examples.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Introduction to the Law for Public and Nonprofit Managers. This course provides a broad overview of the legal issues facing employees of public and non-profit entities. Special empahsis is placed on the legal rules and principles that guide public and nonprofit managers in administering their respective organizations. The course also considers how laws and regulations impact current working relationships between government and private concerns.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
GIS Application to Planning and Policy Analysis. Integrational and synthesis of geographical data with composit map overlay, databases, and computer graphics. Includes application of GIS to local government, demographics, planning, transportation, aviation, emergency management, health, social services, marketing, business, real estate, and the environment.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Economic Development Policy. Prerequisite: PMAP 3411. An overview of recent literature and examples of options available to communities as they plan and finance economic development activities.
Credit Hour(s): 1.0 TO 6.0
Directed Readings. Prerequisites: consent or instructor. This course provides the opportunity for students to focus attention on a specific area of interest. It may not be used to substitute for a course that is offered on a regular basis.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Selected Topics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. A seminar designed to explore in depth the most recent issues and/or research results in a particular area of urban affairs. May be repeated if topic varies.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0 TO 6.0
Internship. The academic internship provides senior students with opportunities to broaden and extend their foundation knowledge from the classroom to the world of work. Placement must be approved by the department's internship coordinator, with faculty supervision during employment.
Credit Hour(s): 3.0
Practicum. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. This course provides supervised application of concepts in the student's work setting or an approved field practice site. It will typically entail a project encompassing one or more aspects of human resources. The course is grades S/U.