URPA 6320 Advanced Public Organization Theory

Instructor: Colleen Casey, Ph.D.

Time and Place of Class Meetings: Thursdays, 7:00-9:50, TBA

Contact Information

Phone: 817-272-3356Fax: 817-272-5008

Office: University Hall, Room 526Email:

Office Hours: By appointment

I.Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Articulate and describe the assumptions of organizational theories;
  • Critically evaluatenew directions in organizational theory and research and their implications on public organization;
  • Articulate the implications of these theories on the core concepts of organizations (ex: organization structure and design, leadership, and environment, etc.).
  • Apply a broad range of organizational perspectives to everyday settings, tasks, and roles;

You will achieve the outcomes by successfully participating in the following activities:

  • Leading and participating in verbal discussions related to the various topics covered in this class;
  • Grading Criteria: Class participation, Preparing the class for and leading us in discussion
  • Demonstrating your ability to apply the material we cover to an issue facing organizations today;
  • Grading Criteria: Community-based project or journal ready article.

II.Textbooks and Other Course Material Requirements

NOTE: READINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE-PLEASE CHECK WITH THE BOOKSTORE FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE LIST OF BOOKS.

Koliba, Meek, and Zia. Governance Networks in public administration and public policy. Routledge. ISBN: 978-1-4200712-6-9.

Agranoff, Robert. 2007. Managing Within Networks: Adding Value to Public Organizations. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press

ISBN: 1589011546

Bingham and O’Leary. Big Ideas in Collaborative Management. M.E. Sharpe. ISBN: 978-0765621191.

Scott, W. Richard. 2007. Institutions and Organizations: Ideas and Interests. Sage Publications.

ISBN: 1412950902

Additional readings placed on course reserve (CR) or uploaded to the web site (WS).

Class Format

In order to prepare for the seminar portions of the class, it is imperative that you read all assignments PRIOR to class to benefit from class discussion. Overall, the expectation is that an informal atmosphere will prevail in our class discussions. There will be for the most part, no one right answer to questions raised in this course and no one right set of recommendations. Finally, given the applied nature of the course, much of what occurs will evolve as we move forward. As such, I intend to keep us as close to schedule as possible, but I do reserve the right to alter the syllabus (date and readings) should it be in the best interest of the class and the project.

III.Ground Rules

  1. Academic Integrity. Academic honesty and integrity is a priority in this classroom. All students are expected to pursue their academic careers with honesty and integrity. Academic integrity will be defined in this classroom in accordance with UTA’s policies and procedures, which can be found on the Division of Student Affairs web site, .

According to the web site ( academic integrity…is a commitment on the on the part of the students, faculty and staff, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values:

  • Honesty
  • Truth
  • Fairness
  • Respect
  • Responsibility

Conversely, UTA defines scholastic dishonesty in the following manner ( Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and collusion on an examination or an assignment being offered for credit.

Cheating

  • Copying another’s test or assignment
  • Communication with another during an exam or assignment (i.e. written, oral or otherwise)
  • Giving or seeking aid from another when not permitted by the instructor
  • Possessing or using unauthorized materials during the test
  • Buying, using, stealing, transporting, or soliciting a test, draft of a test, or answer key

Plagiarism

  • Using someone else's work in your assignment without appropriate acknowledgement
  • Making slight variations in the language and then failing to give credit to the source

Collusion

  • Without authorization, collaborating with another when preparing an assignment

Students suspected of engaging in academic dishonesty will be subject to the University’s disciplinary processes, which are described online at . In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System (Rule 50101), institutional procedures regarding allegations of academic dishonesty are outlined in Part Two, Chapter 2, of the UT Arlington Handbook of Operating Procedures. This information may be obtained by accessing the Student Judicial Affairs' Web site at affairs. Printed copies of this information can be requested from the Division of Student Judicial Affairs.

  1. Cell Phones.Cell phones will not be allowed in class, please turn them off before entering class. However, I also understand that many of you have professional demands that will require you from time-to-time to monitor your cell phones. If this is the case, please make sure it is turned to vibrate and leave the classroom quietly if it is necessary to take the call.
  1. Attendance.Attendance in class is critical to your success in this course. My advice is simple: Attend class and be prepared!
  1. Punctuality.Arriving late to class disrupts me and other students. It is understandable if you are occasionally late; however after two late arrivals, it will be reflected in your participation points. If you are consistently late to class and/or more than 20 minutes late to class, we will need to discuss a solution.

5.Late work.I require that you meet all deadlines specified in the course schedule, or verbally by me. Late work will not be accepted. I do realize that emergencies do arise throughout the course of a semester. Therefore, each student has one free pass. A free pass means that you can turn in onebook review or essay assignment 24 hours late. You are responsible for notifying me when you use your free pass. This means that if you turn in the assignment late, you must include a message indicating that it is late and that you wish to use your free pass. If the work is not turned in within 24 hours of its due date, I will deduct 5 points. I will continue to take off 5 points for each week it is late.

6.Student Support Services.The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.

7. Americans with Disabilities Act. The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in room 102 of University Hall or call them at (817) 272-3364.

  1. UT Arlington Sexual Harassment Policy. UTA is committed to an academic and working environment free from inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is prohibited and will be in violation of this policy. Sexual harassment is a prohibited practice for employees under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1973 and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, and under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for students. The university will take prompt disciplinary action against any individuals on this campus who engage in actions that violate this policy, see

9. E-Culture Policy. UTA has adopted the University email address as an official means of communication with students. Through the use of email, UT-Arlington is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email.

All students are assigned an email account and information about activating and using it is available at New students (first semester at UTA) are able to activate their email account 24 hours after registering for courses. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active as long as a student is enrolled at UT-Arlington. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly. I will also use your UTA email address to communicate with you regarding throughout the semester.

IV.Course Requirements

1. Class engagement and participation. (10%)

Your presence and active participation is expected at all sessions.

2.Service-Learning Projector Journal Ready Article(40%) –

You will be graded according to the following criteria:

1. Achievement of deadlines and requirements (20)

2. Oral Presentation (30)

3. Final Written Project or Paper(50)

  1. Short Papers– (50%)

Short Memo.

You will have the opportunity to either participate in a service-learning project or identify your organizational issue of choice. Your first assignment is to write a one-page memo outlining the key components of the problem, applicable organizational theories, possible solutions, and strategies. What is a major challenge facing public organizations today? What are the BIG questions in organizational theory? This original memo should be based upon your existing knowledge of organizational theory and experience.

Papers #1-3: Short Topic Discussion Papers.2 pages.These short papers will require you to engage in a critical analysis of the readings. These papers will be used to lead us in discussion.

Paper #4: Conceptual Framework.5-8 pages. This paper should develop a framework for approaching the project or your organizational issue. This paper will be written by following the guidelines of a particular journal format. You will select a journal that you feel is appropriate for your topic, and follow the journal’s formatting guidelines.

Paper #5: Peer Review. This paper will be a peer review of a colleague’s conceptual framework. You will be evaluated on your ability to provide constructive criticism to your colleague in an effort to advance the development of their conceptual framework for the final paper.