Public Administration (PUB) - Courses

+PUB 210 Cr.3

Contemporary Issues in Government

Government is designed to solve problems, and this includes the ways that leaders serve communities to advance the common good through the organization and management of people and resources. In this course, students are tasked with the Wisconsin Idea, which proposes that the university expand beyond the borders of its campus. The course focuses on contemporary issues in government and the policy solutions that might help alleviate the problems we face at each level of government (local, state, and nation). Offered Fall, Spring.

PUB 320 Cr.3

Public Budgeting and Finance

An examination of the public budgetary process. Included are studies of the various approaches to taxation, decision-making and policy evaluation. Prerequisite: PUB 210. Offered Fall.

PUB 330 Cr.3

Public Policy

An intensive, in-depth analysis of selected public policies - their development, administration, effects and relationship to the broader political system from the perspectives of the policy maker and policy analyst. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Fall.

PUB 332 Cr.3

Urban Policy

An in-depth analysis of the forms, functions, and problems of urban governments with special attention to metropolitan areas. Field work and the materials of contemporary urban politics will be used. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Fall.

PUB 334 Cr.3

Health Policy

An intensive, in-depth analysis of health policies - their development, administration, effects and relationship to the broader political system. The perspectives of the policy maker and public policy analyst are emphasized. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Alternate Years.

PUB 338 Cr.3

Environmental Policy

An in-depth exploration of environmental politics and policy making beginning with American environmentalism in the 1960s and concluding with global environmental politics in the 21st century. Environmental issues, ethics, institutional problems, philosophical approaches, economic analyses and implementation problems will be studied. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Occasionally.

PUB 340 Cr.3

Public Personnel Law and Administration

An introduction to the field of public personnel administration; encompassing an overview of the laws, regulations, and practices governing the implementation of civil service systems. Offered Fall.

PUB 342 Cr.3

Local Government Administration

This course examines the politics, policies, and challenges faced by local government administrators with emphasis on how future leaders can improve delivery of basic city services. Key issues include policing, fire protection, parks and recreation, economic development, and affordable housing. Prerequisite: PUB 210. Offered Alternate Years.

PUB 346 Cr.3

Ethical Decision Making in Government

This course familiarizes students with a set of concepts, frameworks, and approaches for reasoning, arguing, and writing about the normative issues that confront public administrators. We will connect concepts from political philosophy and applied ethics - including utility, liberty, justice, rights, and deliberative democracy - to assess real-world challenges facing government administrators. The course also addresses why ethical failures occur by explaining such concepts as administrative evil, lying, blind spots, moral hazard, and how deviancy is justified. Last, students will understand the various ways of combating unethical behavior, to include whistleblowing, inspectors general, and expressing loyal dissent. Prerequisite: PUB 210 or legal studies minor. Offered Annually.

PUB 399 Cr.3

Special Topics in Public Administration

An introduction and study of selected topics in public administration. Local officials, visiting lecturers, or persons specializing in a particular sub-area of public administration will be invited to present a course focusing on a particular topic. To be on an ad hoc basis. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Offered Occasionally.

PUB 440 Cr.3

Recent Court Decisions Impacting Public Law and Administration

Through deep discussion and analysis of federal and state court decisions of the past year, this course helps explain how the third branch of government shapes the institutional foundations of government and its policy implementation. Such substantive analyses will illustrate the relationship between law, government, and society, while providing an opportunity to apply legal theories and criticisms of law and politics. Covered cases will range broadly, to include topics such as speech, religion, policing, prohibited discrimination, and government regulation and policy. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: POL 221. Offered Annually.

PUB 450 Cr.1-12

Internship in Public Administration

An academically relevant work experience within the federal, state, or local government structure, or within other political organizations such as nonprofit organizations, as arranged by the department. The experience will be supervised closely both by the local internship coordinator and the departmental staff. A written report relating the field experience to academic training will be required. Repeatable for credit - maximum 12. Consent of department. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

PUB 451 Cr.3

Civic Engagement and the Wisconsin Idea

The study of the Wisconsin Idea of Community Service and late twentieth century communitarian and service learning philosophies are examined. The course includes service learning work in non-profit and local governmental agencies as well as the study of the meaning of democracy, citizenship, personal political efficacy, leadership and political culture. Lect. 1, Lab 4. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered Occasionally.

PUB 453 Cr.3

Nonprofit Organizations

The management of nonprofit organizations has become an increasingly important field of study given the importance and role of nonprofit organizations within our society. This course will provide students with a general overview of management practices that are specific to nonprofit organizations. Specifically, this course will examine the scope, dimensions, and roles of nonprofit organizations, particularly those designated by the IRS as 501(c)(3), in order to understand their distinctive characteristics and functions in society. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Occasionally.