CPM 091 - Introduction to Public Management in Pennsylvania
Course Description
This course will focus on contextualizing public management, defining public management, and will then introduce some of the tools/methodologies that public managers can apply in the workplace. In a nutshell, Public Management is the application of tools from the private sector to solving problems in the public sector with efficiency and effectiveness.
Note that although this course will refer heavily to examples from government, we think of the public sector as being composed of both government entities and not for profit organizations that serve the public interest. Therefore, we welcome discussion board postings and learning log entries that explore examples, experiences, challenges, etc. that you may refer to from both professional and/or volunteer service in non-profit organizations.
More specifically, This course will have 6 areas of focus, each of which corresponds to one week of our six week course.
We will focus on six areas in this course:
1. Become acquainted (or reacquainted) with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its structure of government.
2. What is public management and how do we differentiate between public management as we define it and normative public administration theory.
3. Applied systems thinking is a methodology for improving service and public sector organizations. We'll study the "system" concept, explore how public management takes place within a system and learn more about how systems thinking can be applied to solve problems in the public sector.
4. We will study the concept of leadership through reflective exercises and explore how our understanding of what it means to be a leader, the importance of followers, and other associated factors can impact our approach to public management.
5. We will delve into organization culture and climate in the public sector by reflecting on your own organization. You'll be asked to complete an organizational assessment instrument and will also take a look at the 2016 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey provided by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
6. Wrapping up this course, we'll get into some lively discussion on how to serve citizens. Be prepared to answer the question: Are citizens "customers" or "stakeholders?"
A variety of approaches and tools will be used to help you meet the course objectives. You will be reading, researching, writing, collaborating, and reflecting through discussion boards, learning logs, assessments, worksheets and reflections.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Pennsylvania Certified Public Manager : Required Courses