Assignments

PA 800

Capstone Course in Public Administration

Spring 2009

Assignments

Short Case Studies
Assessment case memo
Strategic Assessment Memo
ePortfolio/Career Goals Statement

Class attendance and active participation is required at all of the scheduled class meetings.

(due weekly Feb. 3 through Mar 17).
No late papers accepted.

For each class, you should be prepared to discuss the following about the assigned case, and the impact they have on the problem and potential solutions:

the timeline of the case
the environment (e.g., political, economic) in which the case takes place
the major issues
the players/stakeholders & decisionmakers
the decisions to be made, along with possible courses of action and the potential consequences of those actions
the resolution of the case
what the author(s) you read for the week would add to the discussion about the issues involved

In addition, you are to turn in a written memo (2 page maximum, double-spaced.) Citations are to be done using the APA-in-text citation method, with a reference list at the end (on a 3rd page is fine).

In addition, focus on the items below for the specific case memo identified:

Case Memo 1. Focus on identifying issues and discussing them. Cite 2 public administration authors who support your arguments or suggest your ideas.
Case Memo 2. Identify issues, the decisions made and their repercussions. Cite 3 public administration authors who support your arguments or suggest your ideas
Case Memo 3. Identify issues and recommendations for improvement along with the skills & leadership required to make those changes. Cite 4 public administration authors who support your arguments or suggest your ideas.
Case Memo 4. Identify 3 issues, 3 recommendations and which specific public administration concepts support your analysis and recommendations (i.e., where did you get the ideas?). Cite 5 public administration authors who support your arguments and ideas.

Case Memo 5. Identify 3 issues, 3 recommendations, and 6 public administration authors who support your arguments or suggest your ideas.
Case Memo 6. Identify issues and relate them to the .big issues. in public administration, like politics v administration, how to organize tasks, accountability vs. authority, diversity, ethics, efficiency v. democracy. Cite 10 public administration authors and thinkers who support your arguments

Assessment case memo

The purpose of this assignment is for us to gauge the extent to which your knowledge and analytical skills have developed over the course of the program. In PA 700 most of you were assigned a case study at the beginning of the class. You will now repeat that assignment using the same case study and the same style sheet.

For those who took PA 700 from Dr. Zeemering, or who took PA 700 before the Fall 2007, you will do the Katrina case study assignment.

Those of you who took the course from me will do the IT case study.(Ready.Set.Showdown.)

Strategic Assessment Memo

Two hard copies and electronic version due by 6:00, May 4 (no exceptions). Please include a cover page showing your student number and the title only (not your name). Please do not put the hard copies in folders.

This take home essay should be 15-20 pages (no longer than 20 pages). It will be based on one of the six cases listed below. Its purpose is to give you the opportunity to showcase the knowledge and skills you have acquired while completing your MPA coursework (see list of issues to include below) . Your writing should demonstrate your analytical ability, as well as your proficiency in organizing and writing a logical, cogent and concise paper. Your discussion of the case should refer to appropriate public administration concepts and literature to demonstrate your knowledge of these concepts.

It should also:

Include citations to literature read over the course of the program, as well as any additional library research you do.
Be based on a minimum of 25 sources, comprised of journal articles, books, government documents and other appropriate sources should be cited in the paper.
Be written in memorandum format to a specific individual or position (e.g., mayor, governor, department head) who would be in a position to carry out your recommendations.
Move from a discussion of the issues to providing specific recommendations

The memo will be graded by two faculty members who will review it for:

Effectiveness of argument about the problems/issues involved
Effectiveness of the recommendations (including how specific and realistic they are)
Content, including breadth of issues addressed
Professionalism (including writing, grammar, etc.)
Sufficiency, relevancy and professionalism of sources used
Use of correct method of citation

Your memo should address the following, either in the discussion of the issues presented by the case, in your recommendations, or (preferably) both:

Issue	Potential course to draw from

What do you need to learn to be able to manage the situation? Where would you get that information? What analyses and research would you have to conduct?	PA 705

What potential ethical issues do you foresee—and how would you resolve them?	PA 700 or elective

What issues do or might present themselves with respect to motivating agency employees and what should be done?	PA 725

What organizational and/or managerial issues are evident, and how should they be resolved?	PA 720

What fiscal or other economic issues (e.g., need for market intervention; equity vs. efficiency) present themselves? What would be required to resolve the issue?	PA 710

What human resources issues would you need to resolve, and how would you do it?	PA 725

What policy issues will have to be resolved and how would you resolve them?	PA 715

What budget issues are evident and how would you resolve them?	PA 730

What specific recommendations would you make to the recipient of the memo. What are your reasons? How would he or she carry them out? BE *VERY* SPECIFIC.	All

In addition, you should think about the knowledge and skills you acquired in your elective courses, and address those as well. The following are some examples; this list is not meant to be exhaustive.

What potential diversity issues do you foresee-- and how would you address on them?
What management strategies could be used?
What policy analytic techniques could be employed?
What program evaluation techniques could or should be employed?
What legal and/or Constitutional issues are evident and how should they be resolved?
What issues are raised in this case that are particular to nonprofit organizations and how should they be handled?
What leadership styles would you need to utilize?
You are also encouraged to do a literature search to find additional materials relevant to the case.

Your memo should begin with a brief summary of the important points of the case. This should only include points that the reader must understand to recognize the reasons for your recommendations.

It should then go on to present your recommendations. There should be clear linkages between your discussion of the issues and your recommendations.

Cases for Strategic Assessment Memo

For the Strategic Assessment Memorandum, please select one of these cases to discuss and thoroughly analyze. They are available at the Kennedy School web site.

Number	Title	Author
1667.0	Subject to Appropriations: Funding for Tobacco Control in MA	David Eddy Spicer
1861.0	Defragmenting e-Government in New Zealand	Richard Norman
1837.0	Pension Reform in CA	Brian R. Iammartino
1839.0	Too Many Parents? Governance of Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway	Kristen Lundberg
1707.0	Neighborhood Conservation Services of Barberton	Howard Husock
1895.0	Keeping an Open Mind in an Emergency	Pamela Varley

ePortfolio and Career Goals Statement

To be completed during specified class sessions (see schedule page).

The ePortfolio / career goals statement will be exhibited on your ePortfolio web site. There should be statements on each page of the ePortfolio containing your reflections (hopefully, thoughtful ones) on what you learned and what you have gained in the Public Administration program. These reflections should revolve around the course papers and assignments that you chose to highlight on each of the ePortfolio pages. It should present a summary of what you have accomplished in the completion of their M.P.A. degree and should synthesize what you can therefore contribute to an organization. It should then address your ultimate career goals and the career steps that could be taken to achieve that goal. Please see examples of portfolios compiled by previous students.