Government Failure? The American Administrative State
POLS 4110
3 hours
Government Failure? The American Administrative State
Critical Thinking
Course Description
The goal of this class is to gain an understanding of government bureaucracy organizations through the examination of administrative theories and multiple case studies.
Athena Title
The American Admin State
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in POLS 4110H
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the structure of the federal executive branch, the federal executive personnel system, and the responsibilities of federal administration agencies. These responsibilities include rule creation, regulation, disaster response and prevention, education and occupational safety.
Students will critically analyze the concept of government failure. Specifically, what does it mean for a government to fail in its responsibilities? How does failure of government oversight differ from failure of government operation?
Students will assess the tensions that permeate throughout the federal bureaucracy. Specifically, how does the struggle between the president and Congress affect the way in which bureaucracies carry out their responsibilities? How does internal bureaucratic structure contribute to efficient or problematic government performance?
Students will strengthen their communication skills through course assignments and engagement of subject matter with their peers and the instructor.
Students will use the knowledge gained in this course to develop policy recommendations aimed at improving government performance.
Students will provide assessment and feedback to their peers through review and evaluation of peer assignments.
Topical Outline
1. What is Failure?
2. Understanding the Federal Executive Branch Structure
3. Bureaucracy and Efficiency
4. Bureaucratic Incoherence
5. Red Tape and Standard Operating Procedures
6. Agency Environment and Adaptation
7. Agency Drift and Collusion
8. Emergency Response
9. Federal-State Oversight and Government Responsibility
10. President and the Bureaucracy
11. Political Conflict and Government Performance
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
