Public Organizations (V504) Spring 2007

Wednesdays, 7 to 9:45 pm

Hawthorn Hall, Room 103

Ms. Cara Spicer

Dunes Medical/Professional Building 2114

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., or by appointment

Phone: (219) 730-7831

Email – cmspicer@iun.edu

Required Texts | Projects and Evaluation | Schedule   Diagnostic Essay    
  

Syllabus

Overview:

Theories of organization provide the material from which public managers create the tools they need to analyze, understand, and alter behavior in the organizations they manage. Students will examine the various streams of theorizing about organizations with a special emphasis on the special characteristics of public sector organizations. Students will learn to reframe organizational experiences so that they can apply different management tools more effectively. Finally, students will explore their own theory preferences and learn how these preferences affect their ability to effectively manage organizations.

This course addresses elements of SPEA’s MPA competencies of Strategic Analysis and Action (managing complexity and change requires an enhanced ability to view the organization through many lenses) and Organizational Management (organizational environment; alternative perspectives; and leadership).

Required Texts:

Gareth Morgan (2000) Images of Organization, 2^nd edition.

Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal (1997) Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership, 2^nd edition

Other readings will be on reserve at the Library, both paper and electronic.

Projects and Evaluation
 

Evaluation: Evaluation of the students’ performance will be made based on four factors. First, there will be a take-home midterm examination, handed out at the end of class on March 7 and due March 21. The exam will count 30% toward the students’ final grade.  Second, each student will select an organization theorist/pivotal book or school of thought from the attached list and prepare and present a brief report on the author(s) and/or summary of the book’s salient points and/or contribution to the field of organization theory for public administration. Students will discuss where the particular book or school of thought fit into our map of organization theories as a part of the report. Students will prepare a 2-page handout for fellow students and a short (4-6 pages) paper to hand in. Students will present their findings in class according to a predetermined schedule. This report/presentation contributes 30% toward the student’s final grade.   Third, each student will complete a “personal theory style diagnostic essay.” In this essay the student describes his/her preferred theory model, his or her least preferred theory model, and the most characteristic errors in organizational analysis and action that a person holding their theory preference would make. This essay will amount to 3-4 pages of description and analysis along a model that will be posted on the web toward the end of the semester. The diagnostic essay contributes 30% to the student’s final grade and will be due the last class session.  Fourth, attendance, preparation, and participation will contribute the final 10% of each student’s final grade. Attendance at all class sessions is expected; on the rare occasion where a student finds he/she must miss a class session, it is expected that the student will display the courtesy of contacting the professor before the class session. In the case where there are multiple absences, the student may be required to complete additional assignments. ***outlines for the eight management models can be accessed by following this link.

Please note:

All cell phones/pagers are to be turned off during class.  If you have a reason to have your device on, please tell me; you may be permitted to have it on, set on vibrate.

 The scheduled date for automatic withdrawal for this class is Friday, March 23.  If you are unable to attend or complete the course work, you should withdraw.  If you discover these difficulties after the withdraw date, please contact me.  Do not assume that lack of attendance will withdraw you from the class.  If you do not complete the work or contact me, your final grade will be and “F”.

Schedule of Classes and Required Readings. Students should read (and be prepared to discuss) the listed readings before the class session for which they are listed. Texts will be abbreviated: B&D (Bolman & Deal) and M (Morgan), with chapter or section numbers for each. All library materials will be identified.