(5/3) - A reminder that the take home final exam (download by clicking here) is due by 5:00 PM on Friday May 6, 2011. If you plan to turn in a hard copy, you must do so by 2:00 PM.  If you turn in an electronic copy, please do so as a single email attachment and be sure it is sent by 5:00 PM.  You should also be sure to sign and attach the honor pledge. 

(4/20) - Next week (4/26) your grant proposals and presentations are due.

(4/19) - This week we will discuss the final set of readings on new trends in public management research.  The memos and presentations for Case 8 on the ValuJet Disaster are also due. 

(4/5) - Next week (4/12) we will discuss the readings on communication and conflict.  The memos and presentations for Case 8 on the Columbine Shooting are also due. 

(3/29) - Next class (4/5) we will finish discussing the readings on motivation.  If you need help getting motivated, check out this slide show.  

(3/25) - Next class (3/29) we will finish discussing the readings on leadership and organizational culture and then begin discussing the readings on motivation.  Your memos for case 7 on unbuilding the WTC is also due.  If you need help getting motivated, check out this slide show.   

(3/10) - Next class (3/22) we will continue discussing the readings on leadership and organizational culture.  Your memos and group presentations for the Red Cross case are also due.  Be sure to prepare for the discussion by preparing the individual portion of this exercise that asks you to think about the characteristics of your best boss and manager (Download exercise). 

(3/10) - There is no class next week due to Spring Break. 

(3/1) - Next week (3/8) we will focus on the readings on leadership & power.  Your memos for the MOVE case are also due. 

(3/1) - The GAO released a report today entitled Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in Government Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue that has a lot of interesting examples at opportunities for reorganization of the federal government.

(2/21) - Next week (3/1) we will focus on the readings covering individual and organizational decision making.  Specifically, we will focus on some of the common problems that plague decision making by using the case and reserve readings for the Columbia and Challenger Disasters.  Case memo #4 on the Columbia Disaster is also due. 

(2/14) - Next week (2/22) we will finish discussing the readings on organizing and the use of teams and work groups.  Your revised memos for case #2 on the school lunch program are due.  Your pre-proposals for the grant proposal assignment are also due. 

(2/7) - Next week (2/15) we will begin discussing the readings on organizing with particular focus on bureaucracy.  The group presentations and memos for Case #3 on How Kristin Died are also due. 

(2/1) - Next week (2/8) we will continue our discussion of the environment of public organizations and your memos for Case #2 on the efforts to reform the school lunch program is due. 

(1/28) - You might want to read this article on the Challenger Disaster - 25 years later from the USA Today when preparing for the discussion of the Columbia Disaster case in a few weeks. 

(1/26) - Next week (2/1) we will discuss the environment of public organizations and continue exploring the differences between managing in the public and private sectors.  Your case memos for Centralia are also due. 

(1/24) - This week we will discuss the readings on the foundations of public administration theory.  Your first case memo on the Centralia Disaster is also due.  All students must do a memo for this case. 

(1/18) - The teams for the grant proposal assignment and team case memos are now posted. 

(1/18) - Our first class is Tuesday January 18, 2011.  We will discuss the introductory readings and review the course requirements.  You may want to bring a copy of the syllabus with you to class.

(1/18) - 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.

(1/18) - 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).