ADM5205 THE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC POLICY
| Course Code: | 3105205 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (0.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Political Science and Public Adm. |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. AYLİN TOPAL |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to present theoretical and empirical knowledge on the complexities of policy implementation, including the gap between formal policy design and real-world execution. The course also aims to help students analyze the role of bureaucracies in shaping policy outcomes, including the influence of organizational culture, resources and incentives, as well as the more specific role that street-level bureaucrats (teachers, social workers, local administrators) in interpreting and enforcing policies.
Course Content
This course introduces graduate students to the idea of public administration-the guiding general politico-administrative principles that determines how public policies are administered within a governance framework-and to public administration praxis-how public policies are formulated, implemented, financed, cvaluated, and terminated. It will introduce students to the academic discourses on governance and public administration, public ethics and accountability, bureaucracy, organizational theory, people in organizations, the New Public Management, public sector and administrative reform, public budgeting. It also review the style of public administration adopted in a selection of countries that have been informed by different public administration principles.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Explain key theories of policy implementation (e.g., top-down vs. bottom-up approaches, the principal-agent problem).
Compare different models of bureaucratic behavior (e.g., Weberian ideal type, Lipsky’s street-level bureaucracy).
Evaluate the effectiveness of policy tools (e.g., regulations, grants, public-private partnerships) in achieving intended outcomes.
Assess how political and economic pressures influence policy execution.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | The ability to interpret and assess the ways in which power is generated and used socially, institutionally, economically and culturally at the local, national and international levels. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | The ability to conduct interdisciplinary studies and research when assessing the social phenomena in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To attain a sound formation regarding the basic topics, like state-society relations, history of political thought, organisational theory, Turkish politics and comparative politics, in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | The ability to use the classical and new approaches in social sciences comprehensively and critically. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To acquire the methodological knowledge and scientific skills which would enhance the capacity to conduct scientific research and produce publications including a M.S. thesis. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | The ability to evaluate the different dimensions of the problems in the policy areas which are studied through the use of different theoretical perspectives and to develop strategies on this basis. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | To uphold ethical principles in science, academy and life. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | To approach the issues by an independent, critical and inventive cognitive orientation, which could also support the professional career development. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution