(4/15) - The take home final exam is now posted.  It is due in my mailbox by 5:00 PM on Friday May 2, 2008.  Be sure to sign and attach the honor pledge. 

(4/7) - Next week (4/15) your grant proposals and group presentations are due.  Your presentations should be professional and will be limited to 10 minutes.  I will keep the copy of the proposal that you turn in so be sure to make yourselves a copy.  I will provide written feedback on the grant proposal and presentation with your grades. 

(4/2) - Next week (4/8) we will discuss the readings on communication and conflict.  Your memos on Case #8 on Columbine are also due.  Remember that your grant proposals and presentations are due on 4/15.  Make an appointment if you want to discuss your drafts or look at old proposals for formatting ideas. 

(3/24) - This week (3/24) we will finish discussing the readings pertaining to organizational culture and the Red Cross Case #6 and then begin discussing the readings on motivation.  Your memos on Case #7 on the Unbuilding of the World Trade Center are also due. 

(3/24) - Next week (4/1) we will continue our discussion of the readings on  motivation.  If you are having trouble getting motivated for class, view this slide show (or this one). 

(3/17) - This week (3/18) we will continue discussing the readings and theories related to leadership and organizational culture.  You should come prepared to discuss the exercises handout out at the end of last class (download now).  Your memos on Case #6 on Bernadine Healy and the red cross are also due at the start of class.

(3/17) - Next week (3/25) we will finish our discussion of leadership and organizational culture and then begin discussing the readings and theories related to motivation.  Your memos on Case #7 on Unbuilding the World Trade Center are also due at the start of class.

(2/26) - Next week (3/4) there is no class due to spring break.  When we return on 3/11 we will finish our discussion of decision making problems and Case #4 on the Columbia Disaster.  Be sure to read this short article describing how bad PowerPoint presentations contributed to poor decision making.  We will then begin discussing the readings on leadership, power, and organizational culture (download lecture notes).  Case memo #5 on the MOVE disaster is also due. 

(2/19) - Next week (2/26) we will focus our discussion on the readings on decision making (download lecture notes) and focus specifically on some of the common psychological problems individuals face when making individual and group decisions.  Your memos for Case #4 on the Columbia Disaster are also due (see assignment page for supplemental readings and handouts). 

(2/13) - Next week (2/19) we will continue discussing the readings on bureaucracy and organizing (download lecture notes).  Your revised memos on Centralia are due.  Your pre-proposals for the grant proposal assignment are also due.

(2/6) - Next week (2/12) we will discuss the readings on bureaucracy and organizing (download lecture notes).  Case memo #3 on How Kristin Died are also due at the start of class with your revised Case memo #1 (remember to attach the original). 

(1/22) - Next week (1/29) I have to be at a public meeting in the Town of St. James so we will not have class.  However, your revised memo # 1 for Reinventing the School Lunch Program is due in my mailbox.  The course schedule has been revised to reflect the change.

(1/22) - Our next class will be on 2/5.  we will discuss the environment of public administration and continue our discussion of the role of politics in administration.  Your memos for case #2 on the Blast at Centralia are also due. 

(1/15) - Next week (1/22) we will discuss the foundations of administrative theory and focus much of our discussion on the politics vs. administration dichotomy and the differences between managing in the public and nonprofit sector.  Everyone is also required to write a memo for case #1 on the school lunch program.  Tentative assignments for the project teams are now posted with their case assignments.  These may change if enrollments increase. 

(12/20) - Welcome to PLS 500 - Managing Public & Nonprofit Organizations.  I will periodically post reminders and announcements so you should check the website frequently.  The syllabus for this class can be viewed on the website or can be downloaded for printing by clicking here.  You should view the course schedule for dates that readings and assignments are due.  Please check the class web site and your email frequently as the course schedule may change.

(12/20) - Since this class involves a lot of writing, I advise you read this recent article in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM) that has a number of useful writing tips (Download).