Public Administration (PAA)

PAA 605 / ENS 605 Ethics and Leadership (3 credits)
This course is designed to make students aware of their responsibility as professionals in leadership or administrative positions in our complex society. Individual values and normative choices associated with the implementation of public policy will be discussed. Social, legal and economic realities will be examined in light of philosophical arguments. Case studies and current examples relevant to government, health care, environmental science and nonprofit organizations are used as practical applications of ethical precepts and conduct.

PAA 624 / ENS 624 Environmental Science Policy, Ethics and Sustainability (3 credits)
The history of environmental policy development will be covered. The methods for environmental policy development and implementation on the local level will be explored. Scientific, policy and regulatory contexts for risk assessment will be explored. The student will learn how to identify and assess risks, to integrate technical information into decision-making, to communicate risk and to develop solutions. There will be mock debates in which students represent different sides of an argument in the area of environmental risk assessment and management. Social, legal and economic realities will be examined in light of philosophical arguments related to the environment. Case studies and current examples will be used as practical applications of ethical precepts and conduct.

PAA 632 Policy Studies (3 credits)
This course will examine the theories and concepts used in the study of public policy. It describes the development and use of models for policy formulation, analysis and evaluation. Policies of special, professional interest to the student are examined in detail with emphasis on the development of analytic skills. Faculty guidance is provided in the assignment of special readings as the student develops policy research papers.

Note: Some courses may not be offered each semester. Some courses run only once per academic year, or every other academic year. Search the class schedule for current offerings.