Bureaucracy and the Policy Process
POLS 330 – Spring 2006
I. Introduction
In
order to adequately evaluate the American political environment, as a political
scientist one must take on the challenge of understanding bureaucracy. In this course we will examine a number
of questions surrounding public bureaucracies, including: What is the origin of the American
bureaucratic system? How has it
progressed and evolved into its current form? Has bureaucracy been corrupted by the advancement of Òtechnical
rationalityÓ and, if so, should bureaucracy be considered inherently evil? Why are bureaucrats reviled in
some
instances and revered in others?
How can or should unelected government officials be made more
accountable to their elected counterparts and to the citizens they serve? Do unelected government officials Ômake
policyÕ and, if so, what is the policy process? Is it accurate, or even fair, to carve out public
bureaucracy as the Òfourth branch of governmentÓ?
In
addressing these and many other questions, we will rely on the blending of
classic and contemporary public administration theory. Also, we will discuss real-life cases
in several areas of public policy, including homeland security, education, the
environment, law enforcement, and social welfare.
II. Contact and Meeting
Information
Instructor
Trent
J. Davis
Office:
DuSable 476
Phone:
(815) 753-1818
E-mail:
tdavis2@niu.edu
Office
Hours: MW 9:00 to 10:00am, or by appointment
Class
meetings
MWF
10:00 to 10:50am, DuSable 246
III. Required Course Materials
The following textbooks are
required for this course:
IV. Course Assignments and Grading
Policy
This section provides an
outline of the assignments/exams required for this course and the point value
each exercise will carry. In
addition, an overview of each assignment/exam has been provided below.
|
Attendance/Participation |
|
The following grading
scale will be utilized: |
||
|
and
Assignments |
100 |
360
- 400 |
A |
|
|
UAE:
Policy Research Paper |
100 |
320
- 359 |
B |
|
|
Midterm
Exam |
100 |
280
- 319 |
C |
|
|
Cumulative
Final Exam |
100 |
240
- 279 |
D |
|
|
|
400pts. |
Below
240 |
F |
|
Attendance, Participation,
and Assignments
Class attendance will be
taken on a regular basis; each absence beyond two (2) will result in a 5-point
grade deduction. That being said,
students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class lectures and any
special study sessions or exam review periods that may occur. It is also expected that students will
arrive to class on time and remain for the duration of the class period (unless
prior arrangements have been made with the instructor). Students are strongly encouraged to
frequently participate in class discussion. So that everyone is given an equal opportunity to
participate, I will randomly call on students. This, however, should not discourage
you from volunteering your comments.
Over the course
of the semester, there will be two take home assignments. These assignments will be graded on a
pass or fail basis. Responses must
be typed and turned in during class on the day in which they are due (i.e.,
late assignments will not be accepted).
See the Òweekly class scheduleÓ for assignment and corresponding due
dates.
Unmasking Administrative
Evil (UAE): Policy Research Paper
Overview: Over
the course of the semester we will make extensive use of the Adams and Balfour
text, Unmasking Administrative Evil. Using this text, students will take
part in examining the field of public administration and its relationship, if
any, to the notion of evil. In
addition, readings critical of
or counter to the aforementioned text will be
explored.
Using Unmasking Administrative
Evil (UAE) as a foundation, students
will be required to develop a policy research paper that either supports or
refutes the key themes found in the text.
Note: students are required
to submit a short (i.e., approximately one paragraph) paper proposal outlining
(1) the public policy or program to be addressed and (2) why you are
interested
in examining that particular issue
no later than October 23. The
final paper is due in-class on (or before) December 1; late papers will not be accepted under any
circumstances.
Specific paper requirements
are provided below; please see me as early as possible in the semester if you
have additional
questions.
Paper Requirements:
Grading:
As with all academic
writing assignments, you should approach the policy research paper with the
utmost seriousness. In general,
this means that you should not Ôput offÕ or wait until the last minute to begin
or complete any aspect of the assignment.
More specifically, considerable care should be taken in designing,
researching, drafting, and editing your paper. A poorly
written paper (defined as any paper that does not
meet the paper style or length requirements, does not contain proper or
sufficient citations, contains more than three grammatical errors, or is
otherwise deemed unsatisfactory) will receive a non-passing grade.
Finally, it is strongly
recommended that each
student take his or her paper to the UniversityÕs Writing Center. While much of
your grade will be based on the substance of
your work, quality of grammar and
style should by no means be overlooked.
Visiting the Writing Center is not mandatory; however, students who
choose to take advantage of this resource (minimum 30-minute session) will
receive an automatic 5-point increase on their policy research paper grade
(staple proof of session to your paper).
The Writing Center is located in
Stevenson Towers South, Lower Level.
For more information or to make an appointment call 753-6636.
Midterm and Final Examinations
There will be a
closed-book/note midterm and final examination. Both exams will consist of any combination of multiple
choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions. The specific format, however, will be
announced in advance. The midterm
exam is scheduled for October 16
and the
final exam is scheduled for December 11. Make-up
examinations will not be given.
The format for the final exam will differ from the midterm in that it
will be cumulative in nature; however, material covered during the second half
of the semester will be emphasized.
Extra Credit
Individual opportunities
for extra credit are not available.
Similar to make-up exams, such assignments raise serious questions of
equity.
V. Undergraduate Writing
Awards
The Department of Political
Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers
written in conjunction with 300 and 400 level political science courses or
directed
studies. Authors do not
have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing;
however, winners are expected to attend the DepartmentÕs spring graduation
ceremony where they will receive a certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by
students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary
by February 28. All copies should
have two cover pages – one with the studentÕs name and one without the
studentÕs name. Only papers
written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current
spring semester are eligible for the following yearÕs competition even if
the
student has graduated.
VI. Academic Integrity and Rules of Decorum
Honesty is the essence of the intellectual
life of the University. Students who
copy the work of another on an assignment, paper, quiz, or examination are
guilty of cheating. The
misrepresentation of another's work as your own, copying material from books,
magazines, or other resources without
acknowledgement and identification of
those sources is plagiarism. If a
student is guilty of either cheating or plagiarizing, or of assisting other
students in cheating or plagiarizing on an assignment, paper, quiz, or
examination, the student may receive a grade of ÒFÓ for the course and be
suspended or dismissed from the University. Please consult the UniversityÕs website, the Student
Judicial Code, or speak to the course instructor if you have further questions
concerning this policy.
In addition to the
UniversityÕs Rules of Decorum, there are a few additional policies that each
student should observe.
- Always demonstrate courtesy and respect
toward all others in class. This
includes respecting the opinions of others and refraining from talking while
they are speaking.
- Make every effort to come to class on
time and be prepared. Habitual
tardiness will not be tolerated, as it is an unfair disruption to all others in
the class.
- If you must leave the class early,
please let me know before class begins.
Leaving and then returning to class, unless for a valid and necessary
reason, will not be tolerated.
- Turn off all electronic devices (i.e., cell phones,
pagers, PDAs) prior to entering class.
If you accidentally leave a phone
on and it rings during class, do not answer it. Hang up the phone.
- While the class is in progress do not
read newspapers or books for another class. Moreover, do not engage in side conversations with other
students in the class.
- During an exam, there are to be no
electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, pagers, and PDAs,
left on or visible to you or I.
If
for any reason you are caught with an electronic device during an exam, you
will receive an automatic ÒFÓ on the exam and be turned in to the University
for academic misconduct.
- During an exam, all backpacks,
briefcases, purses, and etcetera are to be closed and stored under your
seat. If for any reason during the
exam you must access one of these items, raise your hand and let me know prior
to doing so.
VII. Statement Concerning Students with
Disabilities
Under Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Those students with disabilities that
may have some
impact on their coursework, and for which they may require
accommodations, should notify the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on
the fourth floor of the Health Services Building. CAAR will assist students in making appropriate accommodations
with course instructors. It is
important that CAAR and instructors be informed of any disability-related needs
during the first two weeks of the semester.
VIII.
Department of Political Science Website
Undergraduates are strongly
encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science website on a regular
basis. This up-to-date,
central
source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and staff,
reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching
career options, tracking department events, and accessing important details
related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
IX. Weekly Class
Schedule
Week 1: Class Introduction and Perceptions of
Bureaucracy
Monday, August 28
-Course Introduction
-Overview of the Blackboard
Course Server
-Assignment I: Perceptions of
Bureaucracy (Due September 6)
Wednesday, August 30
-Class canceled –
professional travel
Friday, September 1
-Class canceled –
professional travel
Week 2: Bureaucratic Myths
and Realities
Monday, September 4
-Class
canceled – Labor
Day
Wednesday, September 6
-Debunking common myths and
realities about bureaucracy?
-Size of the American bureaucracy
and the Òshadow governmentÓ
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 1
-Assignment I due
Friday, September 8
-Bureaucratic myths and
realities, continued
-Small group exercise –
Interactions with bureaucracy
Week 3: Rise of the
Administrative State
Monday, September
11
-Understanding the functions and
tools of government
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 2
Wednesday, September 13
-Overview of the American
Administrative State
-American Bureaucracy formally
defined
Friday, September 15
-The American Administrative
State,
continued
Week 4:
Politics-Administration Dichotomy
Monday, September 18
-What is the
Politics-Administration Dichotomy?
Why does it matter?
-Read: Wilson, W. (1887), ÒThe Study of
AdministrationÓ pgs. 197-222 [on-line] and
Goodnow, F. (1900), ÒPolitics and Administration: A Study of governmentÓ
pgs. 1-22 [on-line] and
Svara, J. (1985), ÒDichotomy and Duality: Reconceptualizing the Relationship between Policy and
Administration in Council-Manager CitiesÓ pgs. 221-232 [on-line]
Wednesday, September 20
-Politics-Administration
Dichotomy, continued
Friday,
September 22
-The Revisionist Debate
-Read: Martin, D. (1988),
ÒThe Fading Legacy of Woodrow WilsonÓ pgs. 631-636 [on-line]
-Assignment II:
Politics-Administration Dichotomy Q & A (Due September
Week 5: Traditional
Administrative Theory
Monday, September 25
-Four aspects of traditional
administrative theory: An overview
-Assignment II
due
Wednesday, September 27
-Class canceled –
professional travel
Friday, September 29
-Class canceled –
professional travel
Week 6: The Policy Process
Monday, October 2
-Conclude discussion on
traditional administrative theory
Wednesday, October 4
-Overview of the policy process
Friday, October 6
-Conclude discussion on the
policy process
Week 7: Policy Typologies
Monday, October 9
-Regulatory, Redistributive,
Distributive, and Constituent Policy
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 12
Wednesday, October
11
-Conclude discussion on policy
typologies
Friday, October 13
-First half course wrap-up
-Midterm
examination Q & A
Week 8: Midterm Examination
and Bureaucratic Policymaking
Monday, October 16
-Midterm Examination
Wednesday, October 18
-Bureaucracy as a policymaking
institute, a Òfourth branchÓ of government?
- ÔOur modelÕ of bureaucratic
policymaking
Friday, October 20
-Conclude discussion on
bureaucratic policymaking
Week 9: Decision Making
Models
Monday, October 23
-Overview of most prominent
models of decision making
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 9 (first half)
-Last day to submit paper
proposal
Wednesday, October 25
-Overview of most prominent
models of decision making, continued
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 9 (second half)
Friday, October 27
-Conclude discussion on decision
making
Week 10: Public Choice Theory
Monday,
October 30
-Overview of public choice
theory
-Review: Kettl and Fesler,
pgs. 247-251
Wednesday, November 1
-Public choice theory, continued
Friday, November 3
-Small group exercise –
Public choice case study
Week 11: Implementation and
Evaluation
Monday, November 6
-Common factors affecting
implementation
-Judging implementation success
or failure
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 11
Wednesday, November 8
-Implementation and evaluation,
continued
Friday, November 10
-Class canceled – Reading
day
Week 12: Unmasking
Administrative Evil
Monday, November 13
-Introduction to Unmasking
Administrative Evil
-Read: Adams and Balfour,
chapters 1 and 2
Wednesday, November 15
-Unmasking Administrative
Evil, continued
-Read: Adams and Balfour,
chapters 3, 4, and 5
Friday, November 17
-Unmasking Administrative
Evil, continued
-The ethics of public
administration
-Read: Adams and Balfour,
chapters 6 and 7
Week 13: Unmasking
Administrative Evil, continued
Monday, November 20
-Conclude discussion on Unmasking
Administrative Evil
Wednesday, November 22
-Debating and critiquing Unmasking
Administrative Evil
-Read: Dubnick, M. (2000),
ÒThe Case for Administrative Evil: A critiqueÓ pgs. 464-474 [on-line]
and Vickers, M. (2000),
ÒA New ConceptÓ pgs. 474-478 [on-line] and
Locke, H. (2000), ÒUnmasking Administrative Evil: The book and its criticsÓ
[on-line].
Friday, November 24
-Class canceled –
Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 14: Controlling the
Bureaucracy
Monday, November 27
-Internal and external
controls
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapter 13 and
pgs. 394 – 406
Wednesday, November 29
-Internal and
external controls,
continued
-Is it possible to effectively
control the bureaucracy?
Friday, December 1
-Conclude discussion on internal
and external controls
-Research Paper Due
Week 15: Reforming the
Bureaucracy: The Future
Monday, December 4
-Why is reform so
difficult? Is reform necessary?
-Read: Kettl and Fesler,
chapters 4 and 6
Wednesday, December 6
-Looking at the future of the
American bureaucracy
Friday, December 8
-Second half course wrap-up
-Final examination Q &
A
FINAL EXAMINATION – Monday, December 11
from 10:00 to 11:50am.
Important Dates
-August 30 and September
1 – Class canceled, professional travel
-September 4 – Class
canceled, Labor Day
-September 27 and 29
– Class canceled, professional travel
-October 16 – Midterm
Examination
-October 23 – Last day to
submit paper proposal
-November 10 – Class
canceled, Reading day
-November 24 – Class canceled,
Thanksgiving Holiday
-December 1 – Policy
Research Paper due
-December 11 – Final
Examination
Please note: The instructor reserves the right to change the course schedule/requirements as necessary.