Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Program Overview and Theory of Public Administration (Online)

PADM 6000-70I

Course: PADM 6000-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 20583

Course Description

This is a foundation course that provides an overview of the MPA program and introduces students to the public administration profession. Students learn about MPA curriculum, areas of emphasis, and the experiential learning requirements. Additionally, students study the theoretical and practical framework for public administration, as well as competencies required for career public servants and nonprofit administrators. (Fall, Spring [Online]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Mary E. Guy & Todd L. Ely. (2022) Essentials of Public Service, 2nd edition. Irvine, CA: Melvin & Leigh, Publishers.
ISBN: 978-1-73604022-5

Learning Outcomes


  1. Understand the major concepts, approaches, and authors of public administration theories and apply them to real-world cases.
  2. Discuss and write about the competing public sector values, ideals, traditions, and practices that comprise the field of public administration.
  3. Use and apply graduate-level research and presentation skills to course content.
  4. Evaluate personal knowledge gained from the course and apply the concepts to your current and future career goals.

Course Requirements


Participation – Optional Synchronous Get-Togethers

We will have six lunch lectures that I would like you to participate in. These lectures are noted on the syllabus course schedule.  If you are unable to attend these synchronous meetings, recordings will be posted in the module. You will be required to watch these videos and indicate something that you have learned. These events will be held over Zoom, and you can access them using the Zoom tab in Canvas.   

Discussion Board Participation

  1. You will complete a discussion post every two to three weeks. For each discussion, you are expected to submit your own response to the prompt. In the following week, you will reply to at least two of your peers. Additional details about these requirements can be found in the Our MPA Guide to Discussion Boards for PADM 6000 located in Module #1.
  2. We will be addressing issues associated with the theory(ies) and history of public administration and their application to our modern field.
  3. Your discussion board participation may be completed in written or video format.

If you choose the video option, you may record yourself responding to the discussion prompt by walking through each question and providing your answers. You may also use video for your peer replies.

Alternatively, you may collaborate with at least two other students (a minimum of three total participants) to record a group discussion using Zoom or another platform. In this format, you should collectively discuss each prompt and share your individual perspectives. If you choose this option, the recorded group discussion will count as both your initial post and your required peer responses. To receive full credit, all participants must be present in the video and actively contribute to the discussion.

Other Assignments

We have three additional minor assignments this semester. You can find the details for each in the assignment descriptions on Canvas. These assignments are designed to help us get to know you better and support your progress throughout the program.

  1. Initial Skills Self-Assessment
  2. Student Information Form/Survey
  3. Visit with Academic Advisor

Written Papers or Memos

You will have four moderately sized papers/memos due throughout the semester.  Details about paper requirements and topics can be found in the modules.  These memos will be written in memo style in accordance with the MPA Style Guide Linked below, and included in the first module.

Midterm Assignment – Theory & Practice Crossroads Project

This semester, we are going to create a project that you design to integrate your experiences and apply theory and practice.  

Theory & Practice Crossroads Project

You will create some type of communication tool (video, infographic, etc) on one of the key concepts important to public administrators.  Grading Criteria:  (Check the Rubric that will be posted) - Organization and flow of the materials; Content (relevancy and substantive material); Incorporating References (you must include 2 references to the course materials/videos, and include at least one concept and one scholar/writer who has written about this topic); Current Day Relevance (you must include at least one reference to a current event; article; example), and participation (both you and your partner must be part of the video) to illustrate the "crossroads of theory and practice."  Be creative and have fun with it!  You can use any platform you wish in order to create your project.  (An additional Discussion Board Link will be provided to have you post the link or file so we can see everyone's midterms together.)

Examples of topics you can choose:

    • Transparency
    • Civic Engagement
    • Power
    • Grassroots Campaigns
    • Leadership and Change
    • Crisis Leadership
    • Negotiating with Diverse Public Constituencies
    • Polices involving your 'Policy Pick' in the Introductions
    • Choose your own... - Just get approval! 

Final Exam

There will be a final exam that will cover your textbook reading, lecture information, and discussion board topics through the second half of the semester, as well as some questions covering the whole semester.  The exam may also include some reflective questions.  The exam will be open on the designated day, and then you will have several days to complete it on your own.  

Portfolio

Students will be given instructions on how to create a Google Site that will be the home of their electronic portfolio.  This will be created and framed in this course, and you will add to it with each course that you take in the program, so that once you finish, you will have a portfolio that demonstrates your competencies and skills developed during the program.  


 

Course Outline

Module 1: Public Administration Orientation

Dates: May 11 – May 17
Readings: G&E Chapter 1

Assignments (Due Sunday, May 17 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #1: Introduction 
  •  Student Self-Assessment Skills Survey 
  •  Student Information Form/Survey 
  •  Commenced Attendance Quiz 

Module 2: Foundations of Public Administration

Dates: May 18 – May 24
Readings:

  •  G&E Chapters 2 & 15 
  •  Evolution of Public Administration 
  •  Max Weber’s Bureaucracy 
  •  Study of Public Administration 
  •  Robert Putnam Video 
Assignments (Due Sunday, May 24 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #2 
  •  Reply to Discussion #1 
Event:

  •  Lunch Lecture #1 – May 19 at 12:00 PM (MT) 

Module 3: Leadership and Administration

Dates: May 25 – May 31
Readings:

  •  G&E Chapter 3 
  •  Article: Managing Oneself
  •  Article: Leadership vs. Management
Assignments (Due Sunday, May 31 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #3 
  •  Reply to Discussion #2 
  •  Leadership Writing Assignment 

Module 4: Organizing Principles

Dates: June 1 – June 7
Readings: G&E Chapter 4

Assignments (Due Sunday, June 7 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #4 
  •  Reply to Discussion #3 
Event:

  •  Lunch Lecture #2 – June 2 at 12:00 PM (MT) 

Module 5: Human Resource Functions

Dates: June 8 – June 14
Readings:

  •  G&E Chapter 5 
  •  Video: Simon Sinek – Leader vs. Manager 
  •  HR Articles (Overview of HR Roles) 
Assignments (Due Sunday, June 14 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #5 
  •  Reply to Discussion #4 

Module 6: Budgeting

Dates: June 15 – June 21
Readings: G&E Chapters 6 & 9

Assignments (Due Sunday, June 21 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Budget Writing Assignment 
  •  Reply to Discussion #5 
Event:

  •  Lunch Lecture #3 – June 16 at 12:00 PM (MT) 

Module 7: Midterm

Dates: June 22 – June 28
Readings: None

Assignments (Due Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Midterm Exam 

Module 8: Digital Democracy

Dates: June 29 – July 5
Readings: G&E Chapter 7

Assignments (Due Sunday, July 5 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #6 

Module 9: Public Policy

Dates: July 6 – July 12
Readings: G&E Chapter 8

Assignments (Due Sunday, July 12 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Reply to Discussion #6 
  •  Policy Pick Assignment 
Event:

  •  Lunch Lecture #4 – July 7 at 12:00 PM (MT) 

Module 10: Transparency

Dates: July 13 – July 19
Readings: G&E Chapter 10

Assignments (Due Sunday, July 19 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #7 

Module 11: Contracting

Dates: July 20 – July 26
Readings: G&E Chapter 11

Assignments (Due Sunday, July 26 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Reply to Discussion #7 
  •  Personal Action Writing Assignment 
Event:

  •  Lunch Lecture #5 – July 21 at 12:00 PM (MT) 

Module 12: Dimensions of Public Administration

Dates: July 27 – August 2
Readings: G&E Chapters 12 & 14

Assignments (Due Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Discussion Post #8 
  •  Visit with Academic Advisor Assignment 

Module 13: Integrity and Ethics

Dates: August 3 – August 9
Readings: G&E Chapter 13

Assignments (Due Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Reply to Discussion #8 
Event:

  •  Lunch Lecture #6 – August 4 at 12:00 PM (MT) 

Final Module: Final Exam & Portfolio

Dates: August 10 – August 16
Readings: None

Assignments (Due Sunday, August 16 at 11:59 PM MDT):

  •  Final Exam 
  •  Portfolio (Submit link) 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments are due at 11:59 PM (Mountain Time) on the listed day. Late assignments will be penalized 10% of the possible grade. For each additional week late, another 10% penalty will be applied.

Attendance Policy

As a fully online course, you are expected to participate in discussion boards and video lectures. 

Course Fees

No course fees

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.