COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 609: THEORIES OF ORGANIZATION AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, FIRST SEMESTER 2019/2020 ACADEMIC YEAR.

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UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

FIRST SEMESTER, 2019/2020

                                                      

Time: 12:30hrs(Thursdays)                              Contact: lgamoah@gmail.com/lgamoah@ug.edu.gh

Venue:   DLR, Dept. of Pol. Science                   Office Hrs: Mondays 11:00 -12:30hrs

Office: Room 15, Dept. of Political Science  

           

When a society decides to change its identity, it can do so.

                                                        —Ayi Kwei Armah, The Eloquence of the Scribes

Course Overview

This course will concern itself with the various theories of public administration, organizations and bureaucracy in order to tease out the foundational claims with which scholars have approached them. Central to this task will be the utilization of critical analysis to point out the ways in which ideology conditions and shapes public organization theories. Given that the socio-economic and politico-cultural milieu plays a pivotal role in public organization theorizing African conceptualizations of public administration in particular and non-Western reflections generally will be engaged to underscore the long standing and unsettled debate in the literature on the variegated, multiple and complicated nature of public administration theory and practice.  The course will be based on a hands-on approach marked by a constant application of concepts treated to contemporary trends and issues through the use of case illustrations and/or film depictions.

Objectives:

• Explore and better understand the historical foundations of public administration as a discipline.
• Become familiar with key thinkers on theories of public organization.
• Analyze how specific public organization theories and theorists use differing logics in their conceptualizations.
• Muse about and explore the role of African thought in public organization theorization and thinkery.

Lecture Themes

Lecturer	Lloyd G. Adu Amoah, Ph.D.
Assessment	The writing and reflection assignments will constitute 30% of the overall assessment of the course. A final examination will constitute 70% of overall assessment.
Lecture No.:	Date	Lecture Topics	Venue	Assessment
1	23rd   Aug , 2019	Course admin. Issues/Overview of syllabus/ Assignment 1	DLR	N/A
2	30th  August , 2019	Public organization theory as social theory Marx to Marcuse I-Why theory matters	DLR	N/A
3	6th  September, 2019	Public organization theory as social theory Marx to Marcuse II-Why theory matters	DLR	N/A
4	13th September, 2019	Theoretical Schools I-Wilson’s Challenge Taylor to Waldo	DLR	N/A
5	20th   September, 2019	Theoretical Schools II-The Scientific Turn and Waldo’s Take	DLR	N/A
6	27th   September, 2019	Theoretical Schools III-The Rational Model	DLR	N/A
7	4th October,  2019	Theoretical Schools IV- Organizational Humanism	DLR	N/A
8	11th October, 2019	Theoretical Schools V- New Public Administration	DLR	N/A
9	18th October, 2019	Theoretical Schools VI- New Public Management	DLR	N/A
10	25th   October, 2019	Beyond the Rational Model I-Critiques of the Rational Model & The Interpretive Turn/Action Theory	DLR	N/A
11	1st November, 2019	Beyond the Rational Models II-Critical Theory and Public Organizations	DLR	N/A
12	8th November, 2019	Beyond the Rational Models III-  Post Traditional Public Administration (Post modernism, Non-Western, Queer theories and Public Organizations)	DLR	N/A
13	15th   November, 2019	Beyond the Rational Models IV-The New Public Service	DLR	N/A
14-15	22November-Dec8 2019	Revision and Exams	DLR	N/A

             

Learning Approach

As a graduate level course and key step to a doctorate, this course will be driven by a heavy reading and discussion, including student-led activities. I will not spoon feed you which is why the course is designed to make you spend time(lots of it) reading, reflecting and writing. This is because, as Bob Denhardt likes to say, “Ideas make a difference.” The course is philosophical and theoretical in nature, and therefore is anchored on exposure to many ideas and perspectives on public administration and organization. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, to read thoughtfully, and to engage both intellectually and emotionally with the material. Active participation is necessary for a top grade—be prepared for ALL class sessions!

Class activities will include lectures to clarify assigned readings, small group discussions and exercises, and film interpretation (where applicable). The course schedule is designed to combine simultaneously exposure to and rigourous discussion of ideas and real life application of these ideas.  Syllabus not cast in stone and maybe tweaked as when a compelling need arises.

Required Reading

1. Course Syllabus

2. Amoah, L.G.A. (2018). #notesofapatriot:On Ghana,Asia,China,Fela,Women, Zidane and more. Accra, University of Ghana Pres
3. Denhardt, R. B. and Catlaw Thomas (2015). Theories of Public Organization, Seventh Edition. Connecticut: Cengage Learning.
4. Shafritz, J. M. & Layne, K. (2006). Classics of Public Policy. Beijing, China: Peking University Press.
5. Ott, S.J. & Russel, E.W.(2006) Introduction to Public Administration: A Book of Readings. Beijing. China: Peking University Press.
6. Various Assigned Readings especially journal articles.

Course Requirements

1.          Students are required to be conversant with at least 85% of the relevant reading materials on the suggested reading list above. Self-led extensive reading is a  MUST  for the course. The lecturer will assist where possible with suggested texts. Evidence of diligent reading will contribute to grading.

2. Course Preparation Assignments aim at ensuring that students read and reflect (individually or as group) on the texts and cases assigned for the class and serve as preparation for class discussions. CPAs will involve write ups on assigned texts and case(s) reflections based on rubrics provided by the instructor. These will be graded (in addition to other forms of assessments) and be part of your 30% interim assessment.

The format(infra) is required. Deviation from this format will result in a reduced grade. CPAs will also come with specific formatting rules.

·         Microsoft Word file

·         Cover page with title and name (not included in page numbering)

·         One-inch margins on ALL sides with header and footer at .5 inch

·         Page numbers at bottom right hand corner

·         Times New Roman 12-point font

·         Left aligned text

·         1.5 space between sentences

·         Body text paragraph indents of .5 inch

·         Double line spacing throughout (including titles, headings, and subheadings—no extra space!)

·         Title and level 1 section headings centered.

·         Subsection level 2 headings centered.

·         Subsection level 3 headings left justified.

·         APA citation and reference list style (This is the UG preferred reference approach; master it).

All written work is expected to be of high quality. It should be appropriately titled, clearly written, logically organized, complete, and lead the reader to a recognizable conclusion. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format will all be considered in grading. Longer length than requested does not mean better and is discouraged.

All quotations and significant paraphrasing should be cited properly. In regard to paraphrasing, you cannot simply refer to an author at the end of a paragraph (or more) because there is no way for the reader to know which sentences are yours and which are the cited author’s ideas. Any paper containing even cited text directly from online sources such as Wikipedia will be severely docked. The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of its mission and cannot be sacrificed for expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course will be enforced. For the detailed policy of the University of Ghana regarding the definitions of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing sanctions, please see the Plagiarism Policy. In case you have any questions about possible improper research citations or references, or any other activity that may be interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see the professor before the assignment is due to discuss the matter.

Please note that I am a demanding reviewer but will provide substantive and detailed feedback to help you improve your writing and formatting skills, and will give an opportunity for corrections (where necessary) to support this learning process. Please note that the point of feedback is constructive criticism to prepare you for your professional and academic writing.

Mastering these skills is critical to your success in either endeavor!

Department of Political Science-POLI 609[M.PHIL]