Instructor:             Jos C.N. Raadschelders
                              classroom: DAH 107
                              DAHT rm. 304
                              tel.: 325-6620
                              e-mail: raadschelders@ou.edu

Office hours:         MWF 9.20-10.30 a.m.

Required Texts:
- Albert H. Cantril, Susan Davis Cantril (1999). Reading Mixed Signals. Ambivalence in American Public Opinion about Government. Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press. ISBN 0-943875-91-9.
- Jerome NB. McKinney, Lawrence C. Howard (1999, second edition). Public Administration. Balancing Power and Accountability. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-275-95565-6.
- Max Neiman (2000). Defending Government. Why Big Government Works. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-373044-1.

Grading: Grading will be based on two exams, a midterm (20%, 100 points) and final exam (25%, 125 points) (both exams will be graded anonymously), weekly assignments (for a total of 20 1-page papers) (20%, 100 points), a group presentation individually graded (10%, 50 points), an individual term paper (4-5 pages) (20%, 100 points), and attendance and participation (5%, 25 points).

Grading Scale: A = 500 - 450, B = 449 - 400; C = 399 - 330; D = 329 - 280; F = 279 - 0.

Late Work: The Wednesday papers must be turned in on Monday prior to class so that the instructor has ample time to grade and to prepare for the discussion on Wednesday. Late papers will not be accepted (unless in case of, for instance, documented medical emergency). The individual term papers are due on December 3rd.

Course Content and Objectives: Whether we like it or not, government is one of the most striking structuring elements of our society. It is striking in the scope of public services offered, in its personnel size, in the size of its revenue and expenditure, in its meaning for society. Never before has government been so large as in the 20th century. Never before has government been so involved in society. Never has government faced so many different challenges as today. Government and society are very much intertwined. It is not always a happy marriage, but it is one that will prove hard to dissolve, if indeed we would wish so. In this course we will become acquainted with the meaning of contemporary government for society, with the ways in which government directly and indirectly influences each and every one of us. In this course we will focus on the relation between government and society, drawing upon our individual experiences with government and on our reflections about the literature. We will learn that there are many ways in which we can look at government and that stereotypes about government are hard to counter. We will also learn about the ways in which the study of Public Administration systematically investigates government and its relation to society. With respect to the relation between government and society we will discuss the foundations of government in society (block I) and the services that government provides to society (block II). Next we will briefly touch upon all those topics that are regarded as mainstream public administration such as public management, organizational structure, policy making and decision making (block III), and the role of politicians, civil servants, and citizens in government (block IV).
Specific objectives:
- To develop an understanding of the meaning of government for modern society;
- To acquire knowledge about government in the State of Oklahoma (through collecting information for group presentations and individual term papers);
- To develop presentation and cooperation skills (through a group presentation);
- To develop studying and writing skills (through the weekly assignments a summary overview of the readings is generated)
- To develop research skills (through an individual term paper);
- To develop discussion skills (through the discussion sessions on Wednesday).

Course Format: The course format will be one with lectures (M), weekly discussion of the readings based on student papers (W), and presentations by students (F). The lectures on Monday will provide an introduction to the topic of the week. For the discussion meetings on Wednesdays you will individually prepare comments on the readings for that week (see each week in the course schedule below for specifics). A copy of each assignment should be presented and submitted each week on Monday prior to class. All of your ideas and comments will provide the basis for the discussion on Wednesday. On Fridays the group for that week will deliver a presentation of about 20-25 minutes, followed by class discussion. Since the deadline for the group papers is December 3rd this means that the text of the individual term paper does not have to be finished at the time of the presentation. Hence, those in earlier groups should not feel pressured. The individual term papers should not exceed four-five pages.

Academic Misconduct: University policy will be followed. See the Academic Misconduct Code, printed in full in the 1998-99 OU Student Handbook.

Students with disabilities: Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the instructor and/or the Office of Disability Services (Goddard Health Center, room 166, 5-3852) as soon as possible so that accommodations can be discussed that are necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities (e.g., tape recording of lectures or alternative means of note taking, additional time for exam, oral instead of written exam, transcriber, etc.).

Religious Holidays: It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required class work that may fall on religious holidays.

Students and instructor are both expected to go beyond that what they would be able to achieve without effort. Learning and - ultimately - wisdom are achieved through effort and digestion, not through brainless spoonfeeding.

- The student will study to the best of her/his abilities. This means that
1. every week the prescribed literature is read and studied prior to class;
2. every week the prescribed literature is summarized in writing and the key concepts memorized;
3. s/he will ask the instructor to explain in more detail in class or upon appointment, if the readings or the lectures are unclear. The true mark of an intellectual is admitting that s/he does not understand;
4. s/he will come to the instructor's office whenever considered necessary, for guidance, for explanation, whatever;
5. s/he will take the responsibility of spending the number of hours needed to adequately prepared for class and exams. For some this may be only two hours a week, for others it may be eight hours. But spend whatever time it takes.
6. the student will not discuss and negotiate grading scales. The highest possible commitment to this class should guarantee a satisfactory result.
7. the student will not ask the instructor what is important and necessary to know for the exams. What is discussed in the readings and the lectures is important. By the time the student can distinguish what s/he understands from what s/he does not understand, s/he is probably very well prepared for the exam and still has the time to ask the instructor for further explanation..
8. the grade ‘A' is not passed out like candy; An ‘A' indicates nothing more, nothing less but excellent performance.
9. papers will be submitted typed and in a well-organized manner.

- The instructor
1. is adequately prepared for the lectures;
2. will address the literature in a wider context for that helps the understanding of the literature; the prescribed literature will not be rehashed but discussed in class;
3. is available during office hours or upon appointment for guidance, tutoring, explaining etc.
4. will grade the weekly assignments before the discussion on Wednesday
5. is available to discuss draft term papers in order to advise on improvements;
6. is more impressed with academic performance, commitment and effort than with negotiating skills;
7. will discuss the proper answers to the questions of the mid-term exam in the class-meeting following;
8. will discuss the exams individually with the student who so desires;
9. is flexible enough to review the grading after the mid-term and final exams, if such is a) warranted in view of overall performance, b) in view of possible ambiguous questions, and c) in view of protest by individual students against the grading of a particular question. In the last case the instructor expects that the student is able to substantiate a claim to a higher grade or a higher number of points;
10. will monitor the progress of each student and will seek contact if considered necessary.

Program of Class

Introductory Week
CC = Cantril & Cantril; MH = McKinney & Howard; MN = Max Neiman

Week 1: Introduction to Class
August 20: Introduction participants, discussion of hand out
August 22: Lecture: Why is a class on society and government important?
August 24: Determining members of twelve presentation groups

Block I: The Foundation of Government and Society

Week 2:
August 27: Lecture: Do people need government?
Literature: CC entirely. Assignment 1: Write a 1-page commentary on the Cantrill & Cantrill book. Organize your discussion by identifying what you believe to be the five most important remarks/observations in this book (in ranking order). Argue why you find these important.
August 29: Discussion 1st assignment
August 31: Presentation group 1: Does government need people?

Week 3:
September 3: Labor Day
September 5: Lecture: The legal foundation of government
Literature: MH ch.2: Assignment 2: Write a 1-page commentary on chapter 2. Organize your comments by identifying the five most important elements in this chapter (in ranking order and argue why).
(remember: this week the assignment 2 is due on Tuesday instead of Monday)
September 7: Presentation group 2: The legal foundation of government in Oklahoma

Week 4:
September 10: Lecture: The moral and ethical foundations of government
Literature: MH chs.1 and 18. Assignment 3: Write a 1-page summary of both chapters 1 and 18.
September 12: Discussion 3rd assignment
September 14: Presentation group 3: What values are important to the people of Oklahoma?

Block II: What does Government do for Society?

Week 5:
September 17: Lecture: Government in a Democracy
Literature: MH ch.6. Assignment 4: Write a 1-page paper on which five aspects of the external environment of public administration you find most important (in ranking order and argue why)
September 19: Discussion 4th assignment
September 21: Presentation group 4: What are advantages and disadvantages of democracy?

Week 6:
September 24: Lecture: Social Justice and the Judiciary System
Literature: MN chs.3-5. Assignment 5: Write a 1-page commentary on each of these three chapters, organized around the five most important concepts/ideas in each (in ranking order and argue why).
September 26: Discussion 5th assignment
September 28: Presentation group 5: How is the Judiciary organized in the State of Oklahoma?

Week 7:
October 1: Lecture: The Nightwatch State: Traditional Public Services
Literature: MN chs.1, 7. Assignment 6: Write a 1-page commentary on each of these two chapters focusing on the five most important concepts/ideas in each (in ranking order and argue why). Given the student holiday on Octber 5, there is no discussion of this 6th assignment on October 3.
October 3: Presentation group 6: What traditional public services are provided by local governments in Oklahoma?
October 5: Student Holiday.

Week 8:
October 8: Questions and answers concerning mid-term exam
October 10: Mid-term exam
October 12: Discussion of mid-term exam

Week 9:
October 15: Lecture: The Welfare State: Modern Public Services
Literature: MH ch.16. Assignment 7: Write a 1-page paper about what you believe to be the most important five concepts in this chapter.
October 17: Discussion 7th assignment
October 19: Presentation group 7: What modern public services are provided by local governments in Oklahoma?

Block III: Structure and Functioning of Government

Week 10:
October 22: Lecture: Fairness and Efficiency: Public Administration and Public Management
Literature: MH ch.4. Assignment 8: Write a 1-page summary of this chapter.
October 24: Discussion 8th assignment
October 26: Presentation group 8: What differences are there between public and private organizations?

Week 11:
October 29: Lecture: Organizational Structure: Bureaucracy and Beyond
Literature: MH ch.7 pp.137-171, ch.8. Assignment 9: Write a 1-page summary of the most important observations in pp.137-171 and a 1-page summary of the most important observations in ch.8
October 31: Discussion 9th assignment
November 2: Presentation group 9: Present and discuss the organizational structure of a public organization in Oklahoma.

Week 12:
November 5: Lecture: Policy and Decision Making
Literature: MH ch.5, ch.9 pp.212-237, MN chs.9-10. Assignment 10: Write a 1-page summary of each of the assigned readings commenting upon the most important ideas/observations in them (hence: 4 one-page papers)
November 7: Discussion 10th assignment
November 9: Presentation group 10: Present and discuss three major policy problems in the State of Oklahoma

Block IV: Who are Working in and Involved with the Public Sector?

Week 13:
November 12: Lecture: Politics, Politicians and Leadership
Literature: MH ch.11. Assignment 11: Write a 1-page paper on how important you believe leadership to be for public administration.
November 14: Discussion 11th assignment
November 16: Presentation group 11: What are the main tasks of political officeholders?

Week 14:
November 19: Lecture: Civil Servants
Literature: MH ch.13
November 21: Thanksgiving
November 23: Thanksgiving

Week 15:
November 26: Lecture: Interest Groups and Citizens
Literature: MH ch.12. Assignment 12: Write a 1-page summary of this chapter
November 28: Discussion 12th assignment
November 30: Presentation group 12: What interest groups exist in the State of Oklahoma?

Conclusion: Back to the Beginning

Week 16:
December 3: Lecture: Civil Society
Literature: MH ch.18
December 5: Questions and answers concerning final exam
December 7: Questions and answers concerning final exam

Week 17: Final Exam; Friday, 14 December, 10.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

How to tackle the Wednesday assignments

You will individually prepare the assignment. You should comment on the prescribed readings in terms of the particular assignment for that week (see above). Together with the discussion on Wednesday this will help you digest the readings and be prepared for the mid-term and final exams. You should read the selected text(s) carefully and make notes on what you find striking in it.

Important to remember
1. Pay attention to logic.
2. Pay attention to grammar and spelling (e.g. run a spell check)
3. The papers need to be typed.
4. Present the paper in a manner that looks decent

Format of the Wednesday assignment
- name and class on top of the page.
- grading: a maximum of 5 points per paper; with intervals of 0.5 points, for maximum total of 100 points. Late papers will not be accepted. The resulting letter grade is determined upon the following distribution: A = 100-91, B = 90-81, C = 80-71, D = 70-61, F = 60 and lower.

Instruction for the Group Presentations on Friday
- The students in a group meet and discuss and organize the presentation; they will carve up the main theme into three or four (dependent upon group size) related but distinct subjects. The student can use the material collected for her/his presentation as the basis for the individual term paper.
- All students in the group must be present. Absence from the presentation will result in loss of the points for that part of the grade (unless a documented medical emergency prevents one or two to attend)
- The overall presentation must be coherent: link the topics to one another
- Individual grading of the presentation is based on:
a) style: interactive with class (for instance: questions, simulation) rather than static (i.e., reading up from notes and/or overheads, standing still), active presentation style
b) speed: too quick, too slow;
c) substance: is the information provided relevant to the week's topic
d) structure: is there a clear opening, middle, and conclusion to the presentation
e) use of overheads, handouts, etc.

Topics of Group Presentations

August 31: Topic group 1: Does government need people?
Present and discuss three or four reasons (dependent upon group size) why government needs people. Consider interviewing citizens, political officeholders, civil servants, etc.
 

September 7: Topic group 2: The legal foundation of government in Oklahoma
Present and discuss information about, for instance, the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, other state laws, as well as city charters, city ordinances.

September 14: Topic group 3: What values are important to the people of Oklahoma?
Present and discuss what important values Oklahomans share. Consider interviewing citizens, political officeholders, civil servants, etc

September 21: Topic group 4: What are advantages and disadvantages of democracy?
Present and discuss the positive and more negative aspects of democracy.

September 28: Topic group 5: How is the Judiciary organized in the State of Oklahoma?
Present and discuss an overview of the structure and functioning of the judiciary system at state and local level in Oklahoma. Consider interviewing a judge.

October 5: Topic group 6: What traditional public services are provided in local governments by Oklahoma?
Present and discuss some of the traditional public services (police, prisons, taxation) provided in Oklahoma. Students can compare different local governments (for instance, home town). Consider interviewing (a) public servant(s).

October 12: review of mid-term exam

October 19: Topic group 7: What modern public services are provided in local governments by Oklahoma?
Present and discuss some of the modern public services (health, education, social services) provided in Oklahoma. Students can compare different local governments (for instance, home town). Consider interviewing (a) public servant(s).

October 26: Topic group 8: What differences are there between public and private organizations?
Present and discuss three or four differences between public and private organizations. You can use examples of public and private organizations, and, for instance, interview members of public and private organizations.

November 2: Topic group 9: Present and discuss the organizational structure of a public organization in Oklahoma.
Present and discuss the organizational structure of a state department or a local government department of your choice in Oklahoma. Consider interviewing a civil servant.

November 9: Topic group 10: Present and discuss three major policy problems in the State of Oklahoma
Present and discuss examples of public policy that are important to Oklahomans; do opinions about what is important vary?; if so, why do they vary?

November 16: Topic group 11: What are the three main tasks of political officeholders?
Present and discuss what you believe politicians should do for people; attention can be given also to what politicians should not do. Consider interviewing a local, county or state politician.

November 23: Topic group 12: What interest groups exist in the State of Oklahoma?
Present and discuss examples of interest groups in Oklahoma: pay attention to membership, what they do, how they seek to influence government policy, and so forth. Consider interviewing representatives/members of (an) interest group(s).

Instruction for Individual Term Paper: The topic of the paper is based on that of the group presentation.

Components of a paper
1. Introduction: Public administration is an intriguing, exciting and important field of study. The paper should open with some remarks that will make the reader curious and enthusiastic to continue reading. Clarify why the paper topic is important to understanding government in society. The introduction should end with the major issue addressed in the paper by means of a question or set of questions.
2. Examination: Outline the sections in which you are going to address the question(s). Pay attention to logic.
3. Conclusion: Answer the question(s) raised in the introduction. This could be followed by more generalizing observations.

Format and content
1. General page format: The paper should be typed on 8,5 by 11-inch paper. Margins should be one inch on all sides of the paper. Select a font that is plain and easy to read such as Times Roman or Courier, 12 point type. Line spacing should be 1.25. Page numbers should start on the first page after the title page (hence the title page does not count as a page). Do not bind your paper or enclose it with a plastic cover. Place one staple in the upper left corner, or use a paper clip at the top of the paper. The paper should be four to five pages in length.
2. Title page: the following information will be centered on the title page: