Time Schedule:
Peter J. May
POL S 470
Seattle Campus
Growth, power, and roles of governmental bureaucracies in America: conflict and conformity with American political thought, other political institutions, and the public.
Class description
This course is concerned with public bureaucracies and their role in American government and politics. The course is intended to provide knowledge and skills for:
* Understanding the political environment of public bureaucracies;
* Assessing bureaucratic performance and constraints; and
* Thinking about bureaucratic controls and reforms.
In addressing these topics, the course discussion and readings will juxtapose scholarly literature about public bureaucracies with popular advice about reinventing them. The course is intended for advanced undergraduates who have taken courses in American politics. Each of course themes will be developed by discussion of key theoretical perspectives and relevant case studies. The cases consist of a mix of traditional case material, book chapters, and other materials.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Texts. James Q. Wilson, Bureaucracy Balla and Gormley, Bureaucracy and Democracy, 2nd ed Case and other materials to be assigned for download.
Class assignments and grading
An in-class, essay exam at the end of each of three sections of the course and required postings of responses to material for class discussion.
Grading. Exams 75 % Class/quiz participation: 25 % TOTAL: 100 %
