American Public Service Environment Course Syllabus
Spring 2008
Instructor
Scott Steinbrecher
Class meeting times: Wednesday’s 9:00- 11:45
Small Conference room in Suite 525
Office Hours: I am generally in the office all day on Monday and Wednesday, or by appointment.
Office Location: Suite 500MM (across from the computer/stats lab)
Office Phone: 303 315 2755
List of Journals/Magazines- These are NOT required, however, these publications will help you to better understand policy and administration activity in the US
General Interest Magazines and Newspapers
Time (available in hard copy and on the web)
Newsweek (available in hard copy and on the web)
These first two are general interest magazines and have information on US Politics, world politics, popular culture and more. Fairly easy to read.
The Atlantic Monthly (available in hard copy and on the web).
This is one of the best magazines in the US. They cover politics, the arts, etc. Subject is a bit more narrow than other magazines. I’ve subscribed for over 20 years.
The Economist. This is weekly magazine published in Britain. It may be the best magazine in the world. Not all articles in the hard copy are available on the web.
The Wall Street Journal is a daily newspaper. It covers financial news, business, as well as politics, culture and arts. Very good publication
Foreign Affairs: This is one of the best periodicals covering the international scene. It comes out every three months. You may be able to gain full access the site from a University computer
On-line Journals in Public Administration
Governing Magazine
This is a magazine that has some very good articles and analysis on practical public administration topics of importance at the state and local level.
International Public Management Network
The Public Management Review is available on-line and has lots of good resources and articles.
International Public Management Journal
Public Administration and Management, an Interactive Journal
Dr. Stillman from SPA is the editor of Public Administration Review
They have a nice feature on related websites.
American Society for Public Administration
Political Science Quarterly
Organizations
International City/County Manager Association
Additional Books that may be of interest
Laboratories of Democracy: David Osborne
The Federalist Papers
Democracy in America: Alexis De Tocqueville
January 23: Introductions, go over syllabus, start discussion on Academic honesty. Assign Democracy in America reading.
January 30: Academic Honesty Discussion, examples and guided practice. Hand out Johnson reading.
Citation Resources
You Quote It, You Note It. Multi-media and interactive tutorial
Guide to APA citation
Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing
APA Style Essentials
Writing and Grammar Resource
Strunk and White: Elements of Style
This is a very short and fairly inexpensive book, but it is one of the very best books on writing and editing (it is available at the Campus bookstore and other bookstores such as Barnes and Noble or the Tattered Cover. Some used bookstores may carry it as well).
A web-based version is available at:
There is also a WritingCenter on campus to assist you.
February 6:Guest Speaker, Mr. Aden Hogan, City Administrator, Town of Evans, CO
February 13:Foundations of US Government:
Hand-out A Load of Local Governments
Chapter two of Johnson’s Text Public Administration. (Handout)
Reading from Democracy in America, Alexis DeTocqueville
Democracy in America was written in the mid 1800’s by a Frenchman named DeTocqueville. It still is useful in understanding how the United States thinks and operates. The book is reproduced on-line at the sites listed below. You can also find the book in the library and at bookstores.
In the first section (sometimes called book one), read the following chapters:
- Local Government (chapter 5 in the original)
- Decentralization in America and its Effects (chapter 5 in the original)
- Political Associations in the United States (chapter 12 in the original)
The first two chapters listed above are about 12-15 pages total and the third chapter listed above is about 6-8 pages in length.
February 20: Local Govt Introduction:
Read “A Load of Local Governments” from the PAD and Public Affairs book by Nicholas Henry (ppg 396-402)
Some of the material from the Chapter from Johnson will also be useful for this discussion
February 27: Guest speaker/TBD
March 5: TBD
March 12: Capitol Tour. NOTE: The tour starts at 9 a.m. Meet at the Capitol no later than 8:45.
March 19 (AMPA spring break)
March 26 (regular spring break):
April 2: Guest Speaker TBD
April 9: Guest Speaker TBD
April 16: Guest Speaker TBD
April 23Guest Speaker TBD
April 30 Guest Speaker TBD
May 7: Guest Speaker TBD
In addition to the Capitol visit, we will also visit the Mint, and possibly the EPA
Spring 2008 Class Sessions:
Class One: Introduction, go over syllabus, etc
Class Two: Organization of Education
Case Study on schools? Have Paul Teske talk about the Center?
Class Three: Visit to ECS?
Class Four: Barry Cress: DOLA
Class Five: RTD- Scott Reed (Commute case study)
Commute Partnerships (use this with RTD visit)
» access case
An award winning public agency development group applies innovative approaches to transportation issues. The group’s success in using private sector concepts and public-private partnerships transforms the agency's outlook on providing services.
Class Six: International Trade office
Class Seven: Mint Tour
Class Eight: Capitol Tour
Review the following documents:
How a Bill Becomes Law (chart)
The Legislative Process:
Class Nine: Bruce Kirschner
Class Ten: Dave Thomas. Non-profits and Disabilities?
Class Eleven: City Government person? City of Denver?
Class Twelve:
Class Thirteen:
Class Fourteen:
Class Fifteen:
Roughly 30-35 classes