URBAN ADMINISTRATION

PADM 4221/6221

The University of Memphis

Fall, 2000 Monday, 5:30-8:30 CL 417

Instructor: Doug Imig

Office: 405 Clement

678-3369

dimig@memphis.edu

http://www.people.memphis.edu/~dimig/

Office Hours: Mondays 4-5:30 pm.

Wednesdays 4-5:30 pm.

I am glad to schedule appointments at times that would be more convenient, and I will try to respond promptly to all e-mail and phone messages.

Introduction

The role of the city in American life has changed dramatically over the past century. From the first refuge of successive waves of immigrants to the centers of American industrial development, cities have long been workshops for social policy – places where the full range of human needs, from social welfare and food security to education and health, have had to be balanced with the need for economic stability, infrastructure building and community development.

In this course, we will focus on several facets of urban administration, policy and leadership, and will examine policy issues including education, neighborhood services, and affordable housing. The course is designed with an explicitly comparative focus, allowing us to work with case studies and problem based initiatives confronting public leaders. In this way, we will work to construct a tool-box for administrative leadership in the urban setting.

Objectives for the Course

1] To review the workings of contemporary Urban Administration in the context of critical issues both nationally and close to home.

2] To link the content of the course with participants’ own experiences, and with the significant body of experience found in the tangible issues with which public leaders are currently grappling.

3] To relate the institutions and groups involved in urban policy making with the tangible issues confronting America’s urban centers. Rather than work from a focus on the nuts and bolts of municipal administrative structures (which are probably already quite familiar to many of you), we will use this time to begin to explore the relationship between policy debates, administrative policy making, and policy outcomes.

4] To consider what makes good government and good civic structure. From this comparatively abstract beginning we will begin to focus on specific facets of a quality civic existence.

Requirements for the Course

As a graduate seminar, this course will demand your careful preparation for, and regular participation in class. All participants in the class will be responsible for structuring class discussions based on the topics and readings. A significant proportion of your course grade will be based on your participation in class, your preparation, and the quality of your discussion leadership.

In addition, there are two more traditional evaluative components for the course. First, there will be a final exam covering key concepts. This will be an essay exam, to be held during the posted exam period. I will review topics and questions that I consider fair game for the exam several weeks before it is scheduled.

Finally, a graduate quality and seminar length paper is required and will be due the last regularly scheduled class-period. In this paper you will have the opportunity to examine the efforts made by a particular local organization to address an urban policy concern. Write a case brief of the efforts made by this group, outlining the policy and organizational influences on their choices of action, and – drawing from the readings and discussions for the course as well as your own literature review – suggest a particular course of continued action and evaluation.

Grading

Final Exam 30%

Seminar Paper 30%

Paper Proposal and Bibliographic Essay 20%

Class Participation 10%

Discussion Leadership Exercise 10%

Important Notes:

This syllabus is intended as a guide rather than a contract. As the semester progresses we may devote more time to certain subjects than they are allotted in the syllabus. Similarly, there may also be additional articles added to the readings because of their relevance.

Plus/Minus Grading Scale: This course will employ the plus/minus grading scale.

Cheating and Plagiarism: As outlined in the Student Handbook, “cheating” and “plagiarism” will result in severe disciplinary action on the part of the instructor. Either offense will be grounds for receiving an “F” on the assignment or examination and possibly an “F” for the course, depending on the severity of the offense.

Students with disabilities: The University encourages the full participation of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are invited to meet individually with the instructor to discuss special accommodations that may be needed for successful participation in this course.

Inclement Weather: In the event that inclement weather requires the cancellation of class at the University of Memphis, local radio and television media will be immediately notified. Additionally, the U of M has established an Inclement Weather Hotline at 678-0888.

Readings for the Course

Required Books:

Paul Peterson. 1981. City Limits. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Richard Moe and Carter Wilkie. 1999. Changing Places: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Sprawl. New York: Henry Holt & Company.

Ronald F. Ferguson and William T. Dickens (eds). 1999. Urban Problems and Community Development. Washington DC: Brookings Institute.

David R. Morgan and Robert E. England (eds). 1999. Managing Urban America (5^th edition). New York: Chatham House.