The format of the course includes lectures and discussions. Course Requirements Public administration is a profession, and like any profession, there are attributes which distinguish those individuals who would be considered exemplary public administrators. Some of those attributes include a thorough understanding of the subject for which the administrator is responsible, the ability to articulate one's own position on a subject both orally and in written form, the ability to work with other individuals toward mutually defined objectives, and completing required projects and tasks within the time-frame given by the people to whom one reports. These are the same attributes I would hope you already possess in some measure, and which I expect you to develop further during the semester in this class. Attendance in class is required.
Participation is an important part of the course.
You are expected to read the assignments before the scheduled class meetings. Lectures and discussions will be based on the reading assignments. Class participation will be gauged primarily on your responses to questions posed in class, particularly regarding the case studies. Each student will do a profile of a department of the government of Durant, Bryan County, or Oklahoma state or your home town. The profile will include an organization chart, a description of the purposes of the department and how the department attempts to achieve its goals, its personnel policies, budget forms and a description of the budget cycle.