Political Science (POLS)

This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices relevant to the role of the non-elected, career administrator in a democratic system.

This course will explore the process of public-sector policy-making by examining selected policy issues and outcomes. Special attention will be given to the role of policy analysis and politics in the process.

An overview of research design and research methodology as it applies to social sciences, and a review of descriptive and inferential statistics as they apply to the field of social sciences.

A graduate seminar exploring selected political science topics. A variety of perspectives will be examined.

A graduate seminar exploring selected political science topics. A variety of perspectives will be examined.

A graduate seminar exploring selected political science topics. A variety of perspectives will be examined.

A graduate seminar exploring selected political science topics. A variety of perspectives will be examined.

A graduate seminar exploring selected political science topics. A variety of perspectives will be examined.

This course examines basic issues of morality and ethics associated with public service roles in a democratic society. Topics covered in this course include the foundations of public service ethics, individual-centered approaches to ethics, institutional approaches to ethics, and issues in public service ethics.

This course examines the fundamentals of management and leadership within public organizations, including skills needed to become an effective public administrator. The course also provides an evaluation of current and evolving challenges faced by public administrators and strategies to respond and adapt.

This course is designed to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the non-profit sector, an introduction to skills essential for effectively managing non-profit organizations (NPOs), and exposure to contemporary issues and strategic opportunities. Students will increase their understanding of how non‐profit organizations can be managed to effectively and efficiently deliver services and products to their constituents, clients, customers, and the public.

This course provides a framework for planning, budgeting, and financial management in nonprofit settings by offering both theoretical and practical applications for everyday use. The course also examines the mission of nonprofits and identifies resources for fiscal growth and development.

This course will teach students to analyze complex public-policy issues and develop concise reports with recommendations on how to address these issues.

Designed to familiarize students with techniques that are utilized in evaluating the effectiveness and impact of public policies and programs. It offers an analysis of c program development with emphasis on procedure and design.

This course is a study in human resource management in public and non-profit agencies. It will address current complex human resource issues, by introducing the student to best practices for impacting long-term workforce needs, recruiting and maintaining high-performance teams, and creating a culture of excellence within governmental agencies.

Using case law and real-world examples, students in this class will examine constitutional, administrative, and civil laws that regulate the actions of public servants.

An introduction to local governmental organization and its various agencies. Particular attention will explore the management of revenue-raising and expenditure activities, including financial management, budgeting, grants and contracts, expenditure monitoring, procurement and purchasing policies, and financial auditing procedures.

This course will introduce students to the concepts of urban governance, including the process of designing, implementing, and managing public policy in an urban environment. Students will develop and apply the analytical and leadership skills necessary to navigate the political and economic structures characteristic of urban politics.

This course is an introduction to major theories concerning organizational behavior and management in the public sector, including analysis of individual behavior in an organizational context. Contemporary trends in organization theory and public management are emphasized.

The aim of this course is to expose students to the broad themes in environmental policy and the major concepts and debates influencing decision-making processes in this area. The course will discuss the development of key environmental policies in the U.S. from the local to national level and use case studies on a range of environmental problems to prepare students for work in the field.

This course examines the structure, function, and outcomes of environmental and natural resource management in the US with special attention to the role of markets and maximization of social benefit. Topics may include pollution control, water management, land use policy, endangered species, fishery management, forestry policy, and sustainable development.

Supervised field experience in a governmental or not-for-profit agency. Students will be required to complete a project that uses scholarly research to illuminate experience gained during their internship.

Using knowledge obtained from coursework, and input from a faulty advisor, students will produce a research paper analyzing an element of public administration and/or policy.