Course Syllabus

Course ID:	PAD101
Title:	Survey of Public Administration
Modality:	Internet
Credit Hours:	3.00

Course Section Information

Course Materials

There is no assigned textbook for this course.  All assigned reading materials are provided within the content of this online course.

Course Description and Competencies

Official Course Description
The history, present and future of public administration. Covers roles of public administrators, organizational relationships, intergovernmental relations and human resources as well as ethical issues, financial management, communication skills, and productivity issues.
Official Course Prerequisites
None
Official Course Competencies
Explain how Woodrow Wilson viewed the role of public administration in a democracy. Describe the administrative system at the federal level. Compare and contrast dual federalism, cooperative federalism, and coercive federalism. Discuss how the trend of government moving to privatization affects intergovernmental relations. Discuss some of the ethical problems encountered by individuals who work in public organization and how these individuals can deal with them. Explain ways to improve the ethical behavior of those in public organizations. Discuss how government agencies use the budget to affect fiscal policy. Compare and contrast the various types of budgeting processes. Explain the strategies managers use to influence the budget process. Discuss the Pendleton Act and how it helped to reform federal personnel procedures. Discuss government methods to combat discrimination in employment activities. Explain the steps for comprehensive policy analysis. Identify the quantitative techniques used for policy analysis. Identify basic issues to be considered when undertaking a productivity program. Explain effective public sector communication. Discuss the changes in the image of public service over the last thirty years. Discuss future trends in the field of public administration.

Course Requirements

1. You must complete all course assessments listed in your online gradebook to be eligible for a passing grade. Check the link on the Course Homepage for due dates.
2. You are allowed to submit your assignments, including quizzes, only one time unless you have permission from your instructor to resubmit an assignment.
3. You are expected to write at a college level. Use the grading matrix (if applicable) to see how your assignments will be evaluated. Edit your work carefully before submitting it to your instructor.
4. Keep a copy of all assignments that you submit.
5. Contact your instructor if you have any questions while you are enrolled in the course.
6. Assignments must be submitted by the specified due date. If you find that you need an extension on an assignment, contact your instructor before the scheduled due date. Individual instructors will determine whether or not to grant the extension. If you do not apply for an extension, or an extension is not granted, your instructor will decide whether or not to accept the work and if points will be deducted.
7. Each student must submit his or her own original work, as outlined in the plagiarism section in the syllabus. Plagiarism can include, but is not limited to:
   • submitting work that is not your own
   • submitting work that is copied directly from another source such as another student, a Web site, or a print source without proper citation
   • submitting work that is paraphrased or summarized from another source without proper citation.
8. Assignments must include information summarized in your own words and personal examples in addition to quoted information from properly cited sources.
9. You must earn an average of 60% or higher on the exam(s) and/or Midterm/Final Project(s) in order to be eligible to pass the course.

Time Requirements

Remember that this is a three credit-hour class. As such, you will need to dedicate significant time to this course. Plan to spend at least three hours on course content and at least six hours on homework for a total of at least nine hours each week. Be prepared to double your weekly class and study time if you choose an accelerated calendar.

Grading Procedure and Scale

Grading Procedure

There are 240 possible points for this course.

7 Essays (20 possible points each) -	140 points
1 Final Project -	100 points
Total =	240 points

Grading Scale

Letter grades for assignments, examinations, and the course will be determined by the following scale:

216 - 240 points	=	A (90% - 100%)
192 - 215 points	=	B (80% - 89%)
168 - 191 points	=	C (70% - 79%)
155 - 167 points	=	D (60% - 69%)
0 - 154 points	=	F (0% - 59%)

Please Note: The grading procedure for this course is based on the total number of points possible.

The grading scale is administered equally to all students in the course. Do not expect to receive a grade higher than that earned by your total points. There will be no "point adjustments" made for such things as "class participation" or other subjective factors.

Please note: Extra credit is not available for this course.

Exams

There are no formal exams for this course.  Your 8 essays serve as formative assessments to ensure that you demonstrate that you understand and can apply the lesson content.  Click on the following link to view the grading rubric your instructor will use to grade your 8 essays.

Assignment Rubric

Your final course project serves as a summative assessment to ensure that you understand and can apply the course content, and that you have mastered all of the official course competencies.

Final Project Rubric

Final Grade Options

• Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) - awarded if the student completes all work, including any exams.
• Extension (in lieu of Incomplete grade) - Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course. Please Note: Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.
• Withdrawal-Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the “Last Date to Withdraw” indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.  

  Students should not contact their instructor to request a withdrawal. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting my.maricopa.edu. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by providing Student Enrollment Services with appropriate documentation.

• Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - This course may be taken on a credit/no credit basis. If interested, See detailed information about the (P/Z) option.

Writing Instructions

Your assignments will be graded in accordance with the grading rubric associated with each assignment.  There are four criteria:  understanding, critical thinking, incorporating key concepts and terms, and writing (format, grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation).    

Even though this is not a course in writing, you are expected to write at a college level.  Your essays should be properly formatted, spell checked, and reviewed for grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation prior to being submitted for grading.  The proper format for each essay consists of:

1. An introduction paragraph, which contains a minimum of two sentences that introduces your answer to the reader and establishes a foundation for the remainder of your answer.
2. Body paragraph(s), which present the major content of your answer.  Each body paragraph consists of at least two sentences.  Most students include two to three body paragraphs with three or four sentences within each body paragraph.
3. A conclusion paragraph, which contains a minimum of two sentences and summarizes the major points contained in the body paragraphs and ties everything together.

Writing Assessment

Rio Salado College is committed to the success of its students.  The college has identified some core competencies that will be the focus of student learning within some classes.  In this class, the writing competency is the focus of attention.  What does this mean to you as a student in this class?  You have identified the Lesson 3 essay that will be evaluated not only on the content related to the course, but also, on the writing skills demonstrated.  All of your graded essay assignments contain a grading criterion for writing; however, this second evaluation will focus solely upon your writing skills and will not affect your grade on the assignment.  This evaluation is intended to give you direction and guidance so that your writing skills will improve and remain at a college level.  The scoring will be assigned using the rubric below.  If you have any questions concerning the writing competency, please contact your instructor for further information.  The assignment is identified in the Introduction section of the lesson.

Note:  Even though you will not receive a grade for the writing assessment, it is a required assignment in this course.  Note also that submitting all assignments is one of the requirements for passing the course.

Writing Assignment
Scoring Rubric

On a written assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to adhere to the conventions of correct mechanics and sentence structure.

Writing Competency: Four-Point Rubric

4 =       High level excellence in evidence of writing ability and performance at the college level.
3 =       Demonstrable, competent, expected evidence of writing ability and performance at the college level.
2 =       Minimally acceptable, inconsistent evidence of writing ability and performance at the college level.
1 =       Poor, unacceptable evidence of writing ability and performance at the college level.

Sentence Structure and Mechanical Errors

4 = Uses correct, varied sentences with few, if any, errors in mechanics, grammar, syntax or spelling 3 =  Uses sentences that are usually correct but sometimes awkward with some errors in mechanics, grammar, syntax or spelling 2 =  Uses sentences that are often incorrect and are difficult for the reader to understand with multiple errors in mechanics, grammar, syntax, or spelling 1 =  Uses sentences that are incorrect and are impossible for the reader to understand with many errors in mechanics, grammar, syntax, or spelling

Submitting Assignments

Compose your response to the assignment in a word processing program. Run spell check and run grammar check. Review your work to make sure that you completely answer all questions before clicking the "Submit" button. Copy your work by simultaneously holding down the "Ctrl" and "A" keys to select the text, and then simultaneously holding down the "Ctrl" and "C" keys to copy it. Then, click on the link below to open up the online submit form for the assessment. Paste your document into the online submit form by inserting your cursor in the submit box, and simultaneously holding down the "Ctrl" and "V" keys.
When you finish, close the browser window to return to your course.

NOTE:  Keep a copy of all of your assignments.  If, for some reason, your work is lost, you can then submit a copy to your instructor for a grade.

Copyright Acknowledgements

Some images used in courses are licensed as follows: Accunet/AP Multimedia Archive, http://www.clipart.com, http://www.jupiterimages.com, EBSCO Image Collection.

Microsoft Office 365

Office 365 is the latest version of Microsoft’s productivity suite, and includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and more. It is available for offline and online use to best prepare you for class and your academic journey. As long as you are currently enrolled as a student at one of the Maricopa Community Colleges, you’ll be able to use this software for free.

To get your Office follow these simple steps:

1. Go to https://login.microsoftonline.com/ and enter the following information:
   1. Username: Your Maricopa email address (i.e. MEID@maricopa.edu)
   2. Password: Password you use to log into your Maricopa email account
   3. Click Sign in
2. Follow the instructions on the installation screen.

You will need your school email account to sign in.

Important Note: The Office 365 provided by Maricopa Community Colleges is for personally owned (home) computers and devices.

Submitting Assignments

Note: Your lessons will provide course specific instructions for submitting your assignments. Please carefully read all assignment instructions before you submit your work to your instructor.

All assignments are listed under the “Readings, Resources, and Assignments” and in the “Assessing Your Learning” sections of the lesson. All lessons can be accessed from the Course Section Home Page.

Quizzes: You are expected to complete the quiz once you access the link in the lesson. Please make sure you have answered all questions prior to clicking the Submit button.  Once submitted, you will not be able to access the assessment again.

Essay Assignments:  Unless instructed otherwise, it is recommended that you compose your essays in a word processing program, then copy and paste into submission box. Be sure to carefully proofread all written work before submitting. Also, make sure to properly cite and reference all sources. Failure to do so, will result in loss of points, lowered grade or course failure.

Midterm or Final Exams/Projects:  You can only complete or submit Midterms and Finals once, therefore, please be sure to carefully review before completing or submitting your work.  For objective exams, make sure you have answered all questions prior to clicking the Submit button. Note: Please keep a copy of everything you submit.

Late or Missing Assignments

Assignment due dates are listed in the Gradebook. If you need additional time, you must submit an due date change request through the Due Dates tab in the Gradebook.

Students must complete all assignments and assessments to qualify for a passing grade.  If any assignments have not been completed by the course end date, a failing grade will be issued.

Course Completion Policy

A student who registers for a Distance Learning course is assigned a "start date" and an "end date." It is the student's responsibility to note due dates for assignments and keep up with the course work.

If a student falls behind, she/he must contact the instructor and request an extension of her/his end date in order to complete the course.

Course end date extensions are only allowed in situations where the student has made consistent progress throughout the course and has three or fewer assignments remaining at the course end date. Instructors are not obligated to approve end-date extension requests.

Originality of Written Assignments

Students are expected to submit work that is primarily original in nature. Failure to do so is a violation of the Maricopa County Community College District Academic Misconduct Policy. What does this mean?

• Quoted Passages - If you quote work from a source, a maximum of 20% of the essay may be quoted. Quoted material should support your original work, not replace it. All quoted work must be surrounded by quotation marks, should end with an in-text citation that includes the page number(s), and correspond to a reference listed at the end of the essay.


• Combined Quoted, Paraphrased and/or Summarized Passages - You can use paraphrased and summarized information for a portion of your essay provided you include a proper in-text citation(s) along with a reference list. All quoted, paraphrased, and /or summarized material must support your original work. Therefore, no more than 50% of a written assignment may be quoted, paraphrased, and/or summarized - even if properly cited, from the work of others. This would not constitute original work.


• Plagiarism Detection - All essays submitted at Rio Salado College are compared with previously submitted work to ensure students are submitting original work. You may not submit work that another student has previously submitted in a course as this violates the Academic Misconduct Policy.


• Assignment Sharing Web Sites - Posting or using content from Web sites where students share their assignments is considered plagiarism as it violates the Academic Misconduct Policy and will result in academic discipline.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools - Turning in content created by AI essay generators or other types of AI platforms violates academic misconduct and will result in academic discipline.

Tutoring - If you need assistance writing college-level essays, Rio Salado College provides free online and in-person tutoring. Please see the Tutoring Web Site for hours and locations.

Submitting Assignments

Online Submission Platform

The assignment due dates in this course are structured to complete all the lessons over the span of the course. Regular and consistent progress is expected in the course through the submission of assignments. The submission of an assignment can be no earlier than 7 days prior to the due date. Consult your course gradebook for specific due dates. Assignments/acknowledgments must be submitted through the online submission platform unless otherwise directed.

Final Grade Options

• Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F)

• Extension (in lieu of an incomplete grade): Students may request an assessment extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. Assessment extensions may extend up to two weeks beyond the established course end as indicated in the gradebook. Please Note: Assessment extensions are given at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.

• Withdrawn Failing (Y) – Students may be removed from their classes with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade for non-participation, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

• Withdrawal (W) - Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the "Last Date to Withdraw" indicated in their RioLearn Gradebook.

Instructors are unable to submit a withdrawal (W) on behalf of a student. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting View My Classes/Schedule in the Student Center, and selecting Drop Classes. In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by submitting a "Request for Complete Withdrawal From All Courses" available under the Records heading on Rio’s Important Forms page.

Before withdrawing, students should consider contacting their instructor and/or Rio's Counseling Services to see what options are available to help them stay in class.

STUDENTS – STOP Before You Drop! A withdrawal request is irrevocable, and may affect future Financial Aid, Visa status, Veteran benefit eligibility, scholarship eligibility and may delay graduation. Please be sure that it is the right option for you before submission.

STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

• Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - Some courses may be offered with a credit/no credit option which, if offered, would be identified in the Grading Procedure and Scale section of this syllabus. See detailed information about the (P/Z) option here.

Note: Choosing the P/Z option is a permanent change to the gradebook. A P/Z grade will not be changed to a letter grade after the course end date.

Regular and Substantive Faculty-Student Interaction

The Rio Salado College faculty provide learners with frequent opportunities for regular and substantive interaction, which are critical components of a quality online program. At a minimum, faculty teaching online courses for credit monitor weekly due dates and initiate contact with students, post course announcements and/or "From Your Instructor" (FYI) notes that are academic and relevant, respond to academic inquiries within 72 hours, and provide detailed, personalized, and timely feedback. In addition, faculty regularly engage in synchronous and/or asynchronous interaction with students via tools such as discussion boards, rubrics, voice threads, video conferences, audio recordings, phone calls, email and/or text messages, social media, and online collaboration software. Though faculty members are responsible for initiating interaction, providing academic information, and facilitating learning, Rio students are responsible for remaining in regular contact with their instructors and engaging with the course content as active participants in the educational experience.

Requirement for Active Class Participation

Withdrawal for Non-Participation (Y) – Students need to communicate regularly with their instructor and engage in academic activities as determined by the instructor and department. Students may be removed from their classes after 14 days of non-participation with a Withdrawn Failing (Y) grade, which counts like an F in GPA calculation.

If you receive financial aid of any kind, it is your responsibility to protect your eligibility to receive financial aid by meeting the active participation requirements of this class.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Students will not be discriminated against on the basis of a disclosed pregnancy. This includes discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. As a result, a pregnant or parenting student (a student during a defined postpartum period lasting up to 8 weeks after delivery), may be provided adjustments so they are able to access and participate in their educational program or activity.

Please visit the Working with Pregnant and Parenting webpage to learn more about this policy, reasonable adjustments and complete the Pregnancy Adjustment Form. If you have questions about the policy, please contact Rio Salado College’s Title IX/504 Coordinator Tafari Osayande at o.tafari.osayande@riosalado.edu or (480) 517-8196.

In the event of certain pregnancy-related medical complications, contact Disability.Services@riosalado.edu or call (480) 517-8562 for assistance in providing accommodations/academic adjustments.

Basic Needs

If a lack of basic needs such as food, transportation, school supplies, etc. is affecting your participation and/or performance in this course, please contact the Rio Salado Counseling Department at 480-517-8785 or via email at counseling.receptionist@riosalado.edu.

For additional services and resources:

Rio Salado College Counseling and Career Services
Maricopa Basic Needs and Community Resources

Library Services

The Rio Salado Library is committed to student success and provides a variety of materials and services to enhance student learning. Utilizing Rio’s online library for your research is the best way to ensure that your sources are validated, authoritative, and appropriate for college-level coursework. The library's Video Tutorials page provides instruction on how to use the online library to find books, articles, ebooks, and more. Librarians are available to help you at all times via our Ask a Librarian live chat service.

Please note that when library materials (e.g., articles, ebooks, and streaming media) are integrated into your lesson content, you will see the notation “…provided to you through the Rio Salado Library.”

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct includes cheating, conspiring to cheat, soliciting to cheat, attempting to cheat, plagiarism, fabrication on an assignment, or other forms of dishonest presentation.

Posting assessments on an unauthorized web site, soliciting assessment answers and the unauthorized acquisition of assessments, assessment answers, or other academic material is cheating. Turning in content created by essay generators or other types of artificial intelligence platforms is also academic misconduct.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or sharing of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.

We expect every student to produce his/her original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy (including cheating and plagiarism) can expect sanctions as specified in the college catalog.

Rio Salado College uses software that uncovers plagiarism from student to student and other data sources on the Internet. If a student is found to have plagiarized content, grade consequences will be applied in accordance with departmental policies.

Civility Policy

The faculty of Rio Salado place a high value on the importance of general ethical standards of academic behavior and expect that communication between students and instructors or among students shall maintain the level of formality and mutual respect appropriate to any college teaching/learning situation.

Language or behavior that is rude, abusive, profane, disruptive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Activity of this type is Academic Misconduct as defined in MCCCD Policy AR 2.3.11. Students engaging in such behavior will be removed from the course with a failing grade. Additional sanctions may be applied pursuant to AR 2.3.11.

Honors Program

If you are taking this course for Honors credit, you must complete all assessments, including the Honors Project(s). The Honors Project(s) are listed in one or more lessons of the course and are designated for "Honors Students." Failure to complete the Honors Project(s) will result in a failing grade in the course and a loss of Honors credit.

Honors students are also enrolled in a non-credit Honors Achievement Award (HAA) or Presidential Honors Scholarship (PHS) section within RioLearn to submit co-curricular activity submissions. Co-curriculars must be completed in order to receive funding.

The Honors Department is here to support you! Connect with the college and other Honors students in our INSCRIBE community.

The Honors Department is available to provide additional resources and support to support your journey. Please contact the Honors department at RioSalado.Honors@riosalado.edu.

Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Religious Accommodations

Rio Salado College will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of their students, when requested and the requests are made in accordance with the procedures set forth in ND-4. Any student may request a religious accommodation by making a written request for an accommodation to the appropriate faculty member using the Religious Accommodation Request form. To the extent possible, requests must be made at least two (2) weeks before the requested absence from class due to religious holiday or day of observance.

Addressing Incidents of Sexual Harassment/Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Stalking

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCCCD prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The District also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, District employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in District policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by District policy. Visit district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements for more information.

Student Solution Center

Rio Salado College is dedicated to a quality learning experience and has provided the Student Solution Center webpage as a resource for students to raise issues to our attention. We look forward to the opportunity to provide an equitable solution for all involved parties. For grading or instructional issues, students should first contact their faculty member(s) in accordance with the Instructional Grievance Process. For non-instructional complaints, students may contact Institutional Integrity and Compliance by submitting the non-instructional complaint form, emailing studentcomplaints@riosalado.edu, or calling 480-517-8505. Students may also contact their state regulatory agency; the Arizona SARA Council; and/or the Higher Learning Commission to escalate their concerns.

Change of Address

Please notify Course Support at (480) 517-8243 or 1-800-729-1197 or by email at course.support@riosalado.edu. Please include your name, student number, phone number, and new address including city, state, and zip code.

Contact Us

Please see the following page for contact information.

Disclaimer

Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.

Rio Salado College Copyright

Course Content © Copyright 2021 Rio Salado College. All Rights Reserved.