F1GD 4110 - International Public Administration and Policy

***UPDATED for 2021/22***

Whether they work within national, supranational or international organizations, public managers must understand their activity in its global context. This course provides a foundation for this understanding. To this end, it offers theoretical and practical tools to grasp contemporary issues faced by public managers when public and private actions intersect in multilevel governance regimes, when accountability channels are unclear and where policy issues must simultaneously be addressed at different levels of intervention. A particular emphasis is put on the policy dilemmas faced by public managers when multiple stakeholders are involved at different levels. The course also covers a number of debates related to the specificities of public management, particularly with regard to management in private and non-profit organizations. Through a range of case-studies from a variety of policy areas, common solutions are presented and collectively discussed. Overall, this course intends to provide students with the basis of thinking about public administration in the 21st century.

Learning Outcomes

1. A comprehension of public administration and policy-making in a global context

2. A thorough knowledge of the variety of administrative systems across the world

3. A critical eye on administrative reform, and how it impacts the working environment of public managers

4. A deep understanding of the similarities and differences between public and private management

Professional Skills

1. An understanding of the working environment of 21st century public managers

2. A capacity to identify various classes of common problems faced by public organizations…

3. … and to find solutions to them

4. Drafting policy memos for targeted audiences

Cyril BENOIT
Séminaire
English
- Course sessions: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 0.75 hour a week / 9 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 0.5 hours a week / 6 hours a semester
Autumn 2021-2022
1. Oral presentation (20%): A 30-minute oral presentation (2-3 students) based on an article/report
2. Essay (50%): A short (5,000 words) written version of the oral presentation + a decision memo (1,500 words), due for the last class session. One essay per oral presentation group.
3. Class participation (20%)
Sessions 1-5 present and discuss a range of general topics in Public Administration and Policy (e.g administrative traditions, administrative reforms, accountability in multi-level governance).
Sessions 6-11 covers more practical topics (e.g. stakeholder multiplicity, ethical issues in public organizations) and are organized in two steps:
- Professor introduces, presents and discusses the theme of the corresponding session
- 2-3 students present the reading or case-study attached to the session
- The reading of the day is collectively discussed
- Professor comments and professor and students exchange on this basis
Soonhee, K., Shena, A. and Henry Lambright eds. (2015) Public Administration in the Context of Global Governance, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar*.
Massey, A. and Johnston, K. eds. (2015) The International Handbook of Public Administration and Governance, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar*.
Theodoulou, S. and Roy, R. (2016) Public Administration: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Agranoff, R. (2008) Managing within networks: Adding Value to Public Organizations, Washington: Georgetown University Press.
Van Der Wal, Z. (2017) The 21st Century Public Manager: Challenges, People and Strategy, London: Palgrave (2017).
(*available online, Sciences Po Library)