PA 727: Program and Service Delivery Course Syllabus, Fall 20171

Wednesdays 6:00-8:45 p.m. Westfield Center/ DTC Room 677

Instructor: M. Ernita Joaquin, Ph. D.Associate Professor (415) 817-4460; eioaquin@sfsu.edu Office Hours: Mondays 3:00-5:00 p.m.

On this syllabus:I. Course Description and Expected Outcomes

II. Hybrid Course Format, Teamwork, and Learning ResourcesIII. Professor’s General Policies and ExpectationsIV. Course RequirementsV. Weekly Course Schedule, Readings, Activities in Class or Online

VI. Additional SFSU and CHSS Policies

I. Course Description and Expected Outcomes

PA 727 consists of theoretical and practical components in program and project management. In Module 1, students are enjoined to examine the breadth of the public sector — its importance in people’s lives, and the policy, politics, and management behind the “tools of government.” With recent talks at the highest levels about “deconstructing the administrative state,” how much do we know of actual public programs, the goals underlying their design, and the challenges of implementation?

Over the last 50 years, waning trust in government, and strong market forces have driven an explosion of “indirect tools,” with third parties and market structures mediating between the government and the governed. These tools have become programs on their own (e.g., insurance programs, vouchers, tax credits, contracts). As public managers who would be in charge of these direct and indirect tools of government, it is critical to examine the values attending them, the dynamics of their execution, and their implications for the political knowledge and managerial skills required for you to navigate them.

Besides programs, how would you like to work on particular projects? While Module 1 is concerned with high-level programs, Module 2 focuses on a hands-on skill: project management. In this module, students will study the phases of project management, the roles involved, and the basic techniques. Due to time constraints, outputs will focus on planning components (that is, your team will draw up a plan but not execute die plan). A comprehensive template will be provided for this purpose.

Groups will take on familiar projects to MPA, with a complete Project Management Plan to be presented formally by the end of the course. Such projects have in the past inspired students to use the techniques and/or the templates after finishing the course, or to execute their PM plan: for example, the SF State University Chapter of the International City and County Management Association (ICMA) was launched by former PA 727 students after preparing the plan in this class.

PA 727 is aligned with the expected learning outcomes for graduates of MPA programs, as recognized by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Through a blended/ hybrid learning format — using a mix of classroom discussion, exercises, virtual forums, practitioner guest talks, group

1 This Syllabus must be understood along with any class announcements, emailed instructions, and I-Leam, where additional instructions, any “virtual” activities, and learning resources are posted

San FranciscoState University

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work, experiential learning, and field research, PA 727 aims to develop future leaders, managers, and scholars in public administration.

Goal 1: To lead and manage in public governance — PA 727 aims to develop student understanding of the changing nature of U.S. public programs, service delivery tools, and their political and managerial challenges. The Project Management Plan workshop is designed to provide students some practical skills and knowledge in project management. Students are expected to gain program and service insights from local officials and project managers invited to speak to the class.

Goal 2: To participate in, and contribute to, the public policy process — PA 727 provides students an overview of the policy arenas, actors, and dynamics shaping various governmental programs and service tools. Guest lectures by career government and project managers will give students a wealth of knowledge in policy, program, and project design and implementation.

Goal 3: To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decision — PA 727 engages students’ research, analytic, and communication skills in understanding the challenges of program delivery and project management pitfalls.

Goal 4: To articulate and apply the values of social justice, equity, and other service values — PA 727 develops students’ understanding of public ethics and the core values of public management, such as accountability, efficiency, and equity.

Goal 5: To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry — PA 727 introduces students to public information tools in aid of public programs, provides students an idea of the challenges facing citizens and administrators in various avenues of service delivery, and develops students’ collaborative planning and presentation skills.

II. Hybrid Course Format, Teamwork, and Learning Resources

Hybrid format. Capitalizing on information technology, the accessibility of public data, the flexibility of the MPA program, and the topics of this course, PA 727 allows the fulfillment of almost half of the course requirements outside of the traditional classroom. Only during some weeks are meetings held in the classroom. For the rest of the time, students will have virtual chats through I-Learn, or conduct research, or write a paper and submit them via I-learn. Always check this Syllabus to avoid getting lost in terms of schedule. You would not want to miss an activity’s start as well as its deadline. Any further instructions provided via email exchange should be also considered in the assignments. The professor will hold virtual consultation time or “Chat Corners” on I-learn for general questions on virtual weeks.

Teamwork. Are you prepared to work with teammates outside of the classroom? You will be expected to work on project planning with groupmates at the second half of the semester, with peer evaluation forming a significant part of the process.

Learning materials. Purchase the book well before the semester begins, and get familiar with its contents.

1. Main text - Salamon, L. (Ed.) (2002). The tools of government: Λ guide to the new governance. New York: Oxford University Press.

2. Activity Guides will be provided for the virtual activities/ weeks when the class is virtual, on I-Learn.

3. Additional journal articles, book chapters, cases, guidelines, and any assessment rubric will be posted through I-Learn, our course management system.

The E-portfolio: To showcase your learning outcomes in PA 727 and other courses, you should create a personal E-portfolio - https://sfsu.portfolium.com. Your E-portfolio will utilize MPA program-approved #hashtags to identify the learning outcomes corresponding to the materials you post. An example of an MPA e-portfolio can be found here: https://portfolium.com/ReneeMeyer. SFSU Academic Technology trainers can provide you personal training by making individual appointments with them at the main campus.

III. Professor’s General Course Policies & Expectations

Professionalism. My expectations are that as graduate students, you will demonstrate commitment and professionalism in the classroom and virtual space; diligence in tapping social science knowledge and tools; accountability to your group, and, consistent monitoring of your learning goals and skills. Follow strict rules of academic honesty. All interaction relating to the course must be of a positive nature; not all policies can be written on this syllabus. Text messaging, calling, personal emailing, and surfing the Internet during class are unprofessional.

Attendance. The amount of time for, and quality of discussion and team outputs can be diminished by absences and having to get everyone caught up. Plan to arrive on time, stay until official dismissal. Tate arrivals or early departures are partial absences. Tecture notes are yours to arrange with your classmates. Two (2) absences (we meet in class for only half die semester) would result in an automatic Fail.

Late Assignments and Make-ups. Due to time and the constraints of real-time exchanges over scheduled topics, no makeups will be designed if you were absent for a graded exercise. Late homework (e.g., paper assignments) incurs one letter-grade deduction per day, and will not be accepted 2 days after the deadline. No final papers will be accepted after deadline. Issues of health or personal matters that would prevent you from completing the course requirements should be raised as soon as foreseen, and may be addressed through the Incomplete or Withdrawal processes. For requests to take an “Incomplete,” the student is responsible for providing justification documents. See the CHSS/SFSU deadlines and policies.

Communication & Advising. Head off unnecessary confusion by reading prior materials or instructions that have been provided, to keep up with the schedule. Use your professors’ office hours. Set up appointments by email. Read your emails at least once during the day, check your I-learn chat boards at least once during the day of virtual sessions. I will strive to reply to emails within a day during weekdays, and within 2 days during holidays/weekends. Send emails with your SFSU official address. Prefix your email subject PA 727. Observe email etiquette; always give a person a chance to explain any puzzles.

IV. Course Requirements

A. In-class participation (15%) - We are meeting face-to-face half the semester only, significant portion. Be present, especially on those days of presentations and guest lectures. An excellent grade here requires excellent preparation and contribution to discussions. In a graduate course, devote at least four (4) hours for the reading each week, not including research or writing. See the general policies on attendance and makeups.

A small portion of this grade (3%) will go into the management of your learning journey: Create and maintain your E-portfolio by housing in it all your academic outputs. This would help toward your capstone year assessment. At the end of this semester, you will also be asked to write a reflection paper.

B. Virtual Engagement Activities or VEAs (50% total) - VEAs will be described ahead in class. But for details, students will need to log on to I-learn to see the activity guides or step instructions for non­classroom weeks. For VEAs, achieving top marks depends on being timely, paying attention to the instructions, diligence in reading, resourcefulness online, making thoughtful integration of readings and experiences, engaging peers and professor, and demonstrating originality and critical analysis.

Note that virtual activities are not all one-day or one-shot assignments. They may have staggered deadlines or weeklong activities, to encourage greater or more equitable participation. Sometimes, virtual activities are not chats but a series of memo writing activities (Program Management Discussion Paper); sometimes they are “checking-in” activities, as when groups work together to build up their Project Management Plans and report on their group progress online, or during an appointment with the professor via chat, phone, FaceTime or similar platforms.

• Memo# 1 (No research needed) - 8%• Virtual Chat-10%• Memo# 2 — (No research needed) 10%• Memo# 3 (Research needed) - 15%• PM group check in & progress reporting — 7%

C. Group Project Management Plan and Presentation (35% total) - Once enrollment is finalized, students will be assigned into groups. Groups will prepare and present a Project Management (PM) Plan. Guests may be invited to listen to your final outputs. The Template for this Plan will be discussed throughout Module 2. Students will be graded both on the demonstration of the PM techniques and teamwork. Prepare to work together inside and outside the classroom. Your group must choose one project from this list:

(a) Prepare the plan for the first MPA Grand Alumni Homecoming, for a Friday evening in Spring 2018

(b) Prepare the plan for launching/incorporating a small non-profit organization in the Bay Area

(c) Prepare the plan for a new SFSU MPA Scholarship Award to fund 2 students for an academic year (Fall 2018 - Spring 2019), with selection during Spring 2018

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(d) Prepare the plan for a 2-hour academic-practitioner symposium on “Ethics and Civil ServiceToday” for one Tuesday morning on campus in Spring 2018

(e) Prepare the plan for an SFSU MPA Student Essay Writing Contest on the theme, “So You Want toBecome a Bureaucrat?” with judging and an awarding on campus, one Monday in Spring 2018

Note'S Each group must select a Project Team Teader, no later than the 3rd week of the semester.S The Plan should demonstrate properly the techniques of PM, such as work breakdown structure,

risk analysis, PERT duration analysis and CPM or Critical Path analysis/method, etc.'S The project tasks should be, as much as possible, realistic, grounded in research, and your

references must be cited.'S Groups may get some leeway in choosing the specific themes or focus of their project, and use

hypothetical details such as budgets and project sponsors, but care must be taken to plan for one realistic project (rather than plan a collection or a series of projects).

'S Groups should take the initiative to explore project management resources to accomplish their task (e.g., you could have a timetable of your own to track member contributions, find flowcharting software, Google hangouts to work outside classroom, etc.)

'S Your entire output should demonstrate your accountability to one another as members of your Project Team. Refer to the peer-evaluation score sheet. Progress report will be required. Reach out to the professor if bumping up against some barriers.

'S The plan presentation should be rehearsed with visual aids. Check your documents and slidesfor typos, accuracy, and style — their quality would factor into your grade. Handouts can coverdetails not covered in the slides. Refer to the rubric for group presentation.

'S The professor will give the group one grade for the actual presentation; and additionally give each member an individual grade based on teamwork contribution.

'S No grade will be awarded until all the peer evaluation forms are received, and your PM Plan uploaded to I-Tearn and to your individual E-portfolios. This is your signature assignment for PA 727.

At-a-Glance: Final Grade Breakdown

a) In-class participation, reflection, E-portfolio 15%

b) Virtual activities/ homework 50%

c) Group PM plan, finalized and uploaded onto I-learn and E-portfolio 20%• PM Plan formal presentation (with slides) 7%• Contribution to group work, based on peer evaluation 8%

Students will receive letter grades on their work in which an A is worth 10 points, and A- is worth 9, a B+ is worth 8, a В is a 7, and so on. These grades are then multiplied by their weights (%) and added up to get the final letter equivalent. You may consult me the following semester if you have questions about your final grade. For activities done during the semester, I will return feedback or grades as promptly as I can. [Please note that this semester, due to the quirks of enrolment and scheduling, I have three consecutive night classes, and most departmental and college meetings are happening on the day of our class, Wednesdays. Thank you in advance for understanding if there is delay in returning papers, but I hope to maintain my 100% batting average.]

V. Course Schedule, Readings, DuesThe professor reserves the right to make changes to this schedule

DATE TOPIC& REQUIRED READINGS/ VIDEOS

ACTIVITY/ DUE IN

CLASSVIRTUAL ACTIVITY/

DUE ONLINEAUG 23 In class

Module 1 begins

Orientation / Must-attend Session

Course Syllabus ReadingsThe hybrid format Get familiar with I-learn E-portfolio

Bring book to class

Course orientation

Preliminary individual & group assignments

Introduce yourself this week using I- learn

Readings:1. The Tools of Government book, Ch 1

(Lester Salamon)2. Nine Major Agency Reform Proposals

(Eric Katz)

Lecture-discussion on the tools of government

AUG 30 Memo Writing

Homework

New Governance: Understanding Its Scale & Scope of the Challenge

Template for Memo# 1

From our textbook:1. Ch 1 (The New Governance)

Go to l-Learn and follow the Virtual Activity Guide

Deadline: 9 pm tonight

Additional articles:2. What Will It Mean to Get Rid of the

'Administrative State' (Bierman & Memoli)

3. Impact & cost of government shutdown (Executive Office of the President)

SEPT 6 In class

Grants & Vouchers

From our textbook:1. Tools, Ch 11 (Beam & Conlan)2. Tools, Ch 14 (Steuerle & Twombly)

Articles:1. Want Better, Smaller Government?

(John Dilulio, Jr.)2. Trump Administration Pulls Plug on

Teen Pregnancy Programs (Jane Kay)3. Funding What Works (John

Kamensky)4. Shifting SNAP Costs to States

(Leachman, Rosenbaum, Wolkomir)

Recap of last week's virtual activity

Lecture - discussion

After the class tonight, the session moves to I-learn immediately, for a weeklong activity

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DATE TOPIC& REQUIRED READINGS/ VIDEOS

ACTIVITY/ DUE INCLASS

VIRTUAL ACTIVITY/

DUE ONLINE

SEPT 7 to 13 Virtual Chat

Public Information & an Experiential Activity

From our textbook:1. Tools, Ch. 7 (Janet Weiss)

Additional articles:2. The Most Hated Job in Government

(Dannielle Blumenthal)3. Getting Citizens Involved: Citizen

Engagement Platforms (Accenture)4. Looking for Benefits? Benefit Finder

(https://www.benefits.gov)5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(https://www.cfda.gov)

Go to l-Learn and follow the Virtual Activity Guide

Chat starts: Sept 7

Posting deadline: 11 pm on September 10

Chat closes: 11 pm on September 13

SEPT 20 In class

Service Contracting & Privatization

From our textbook:1. Tools, Ch 9 (Steven Kelman)

Articles and Chapter:1. Calculating Go-Away Costs for

Privatization Decisions (David Ammons)2. How VA Reform Turned into a Fight Over

Privatization (Terry Gerton)3. Why We Shouldn't Trust Markets with

our Civic Life (Michael Sandel, TED Talk)4. Contract Management in Local

Governments (Joaquin and Greitens)5. Additional news may be included

Lecture - discussion and recap of previous online activity; prepare to participate

SEPT 27 Hand Me That Tool: Features, ManagementMemo Writing Challenges, & Overall Assessment

HomeworkTemplate for Memo# 2

1. Students will study one of the designated tools

2. Memo to demonstrate deep understanding of the tool's features and implications for knowledge and skills as a program manager

3. Additional reading materials will be researched/ referenced by the student in the Memo

Go to l-Learn and follow the Virtual Activity Guide

Deadline: 9 pm tonight

n

DATE TOPIC& REQUIRED READINGS/ VIDEOS

ACTIVITY/ DUE INCLASS

VIRTUAL ACTIVITY/DUE ONLINE

OCT 4 In class

Dr. Lori Co pan, Guest Talk

Guest Talk: Insights in program and service delivery

Dr. Lori Copan, Chief of Community Participation & Education Section of CA Dept of Public Health speaks during the first half

Reinventing Program and Service DeliveryReadings:1. Why Innovation Programs Should Target

Middle-Aged Bureaucrats (Stan Soloway)2. Four Ways to Reinvent Service Delivery

(Ramdas, et al.)3. Citizen-Centred Service Delivery (Martin

Duggan)4. From Catching People When They Fall to

Lifting Them as They Rise (Deborah Morris & Sean Toole)

5. New York Uses Data to Transform Healthcare Delivery (Governing/Oracle)

Group exercises on the readings in the second half

After the class tonight, the session moves to I-learn immediately, for a weeklong activity

OCT 11 Writing & Reading

Homework

Final program management papers are due tonight

Template for completed Program Management Discussion Paper

Reading assignments/ Get familiar with these documents on I-learn1. PM Plan Template2. Sample PM Plan submitted in PA 7273. Review the group assignments

Go to l-Learn and follow the Virtual Activity Guide

Memo deadline: 9 pm tonight

Reading homework is to prepare for the October 18 meeting

OCT 18 In-class

Mr. Seth Miller, Guest

Talk

Guest Talk: Program and Service Delivery in California Cities

Mr. Seth Miller of the League of CA Cities will speak about housing services during the first half

Module 2 begins Project Management: Introduction & Work

Breakdown Structure (WBS Technique)1. Professor's presentation slides2. The PM Plan template3. Sample PM Plan submitted in PA 7274. Peer Evaluation score sheet for group

activity

Introduction to Module 2 in second half; groups choose their Team Leaders; groups begin to work on their PM Plans/WBS

After the class tonight, the session moves to I-learn, for an assignment due on October 25

Q

DATE TOPIC& REQUIRED READINGS/ VIDEOS

ACTIVITY/ DUE IN VIRTUAL ACTIVITY/CLASS DUE ONLINE

OCT 25 Group

Homework

Checking in online or in

person

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)1. Project Management video2. Professor's presentation slides on I-learn3. Group progress reporting

Groups research and work on their WBS

Groups are enjoined to consult professor during virtual weeks

NOVI In class

Ms. Summer Graham,

Guest Talk

Guest Talk: Project Management Insights Ms. Summer Graham, MPA, Google Project Management Consultant will share during the first half

Project Management Techniques: PERT & CPM1. Review Work Breakdown Structure2. Gantt Charts, and PERT/CPM (David

Ammons)3. Critical Path Analysis (Made Simple)

video

Groups work on PERT/CPM

NOV 8 Understanding Project Cost, Risks,Group Stakeholders

Homework 1. Review PERT/CPM2. Professors' presentation slides3. Group progress reporting

Consult the professor/ check-ino n l i n e

ProgressReporting

Groups report on project progress

NOV 15 In class

Groups share plan drafts & seek feedback

Understanding the Project Team1. Capacity Project Toolkit2. Team roles3. Peer evaluation sheet

Groups share drafts for feedback

Peer evaluation should be ongoing

NOV 22 HOLIDAY SCHOOL/ MPA OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK

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DATE TOPIC ACTIVITY/ DUE IN VIRTUAL ACTIVITY/

& REQUIRED READINGS/ VIDEOS CLASS DUE ONLINE

NOV 29 Guest Talk: Lessons in Project Management Mr. Lovell, PublicIn class in Local Government Works Administrator

at South SanMr. Justin 1. Supplementary readings/ videos on Francisco City will

Lovell, Guest project management on I-learn speak about projectTalk management during

Group work and consultation the first half

Groups work on theirPM Plans

DEC 6 Finalizing PM Plans, Reflection PaperGroup

Homework Groups prepare their presentation and visual aids for next week

Final group consultation meetings with Professor

Individual A brief ildividual reflection questionnaire will be sent outHomework

DEC 13 Before 6 pm tonight:In class

a) Project leaders must submit on I-learn the finalized PM Plan and any appendices toGroup the Plan, on or before 6 pm

Presentationsb) Everyone must submit on I-learn, on or before 6 pm tonight, the filled-out Peer

Individual Evaluation formReflections

After tonight, but not later than this Friday

• Everyone must upload to their E-portfolio their course outputs (memos, PM Plans,reflection paper). Connect your E-portfolio accounts with your professor's

VI. Additional CHSS Policies

Please review this information and refer to http://chss.sfsu.edu/content/petitions-information for more detail on these policies. Approval of a petition from the instructor and/or Department Chair does not constitute automatic approval from the Associate Dean so please continue attending class until a decision is made.

When is the deadline to drop a class? The last day to drop a class without a W grade is September 13. 2017 by 11:59 PM.

What if I wish to withdraw from a course after the drop deadline? Withdrawal from a course is allowed from September 14. 2017 until November 17. 2017 only if you have serious and compelling reasons with current, relevant supporting documentation. The following are examples of non-serious and non­compelling reasons and would be denied:

Changing majorPoor academic performance in class Course no longer needed Missing pre-requisite(s)Instructor forgot to dropMore time needed for other classes

Unexpected changes in work schedule or serious accident, protracted illness, or family emergencies may be considered serious and compelling if appropriate supporting documentation is attached. The petition must be submitted within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., within 2 weeks of an illness or change in work hours) and must include your unofficial transcripts. From November 18. 2017 until December 12. 2017. you may not withdraw from a class or the University, except only in the case of a documented serious illness or verified accident.

Withdrawals cannot be initiated electronically and must be submitted using a paper application. A maximum of 18 units can be withdrawn, and a course can only be repeated once with a failing grade.

How do I take a course for Credit or No Credit (CR/NC) Grade? Please check the course description in the Bulletin to determine if the class can be taken CR/NC. If it is permitted, then you may change your grading option via your SF State Gateway until October 18. 2017 by 11:59 PM. The Associate Dean will not approve requests for changes if you miss this deadline.

What if I want to add a class after registration closes? The period to add classes via permission numbers is August 23. 2017 through September 13. 2017 until 11:59 PM. It is your responsibility to obtain a late permission number from your instructor and add the class. Faculty cannot add you into a class.Starting September 14. 2017, a Waiver of College Regulations form must be submitted. This will only be approved if there was an administrative error.

How do I know if any changes in my registration went through? Always check your registration on your SF State Gateway after making any changes and before deadlines to ensure you are registered properly for your classes. It is always your responsibility to ensure your schedule is correct, even if the instructor indicates they will drop you. All deadlines will be strictly adhered to by the instructor, the Department Chair, and the CHSS Associate Dean.

When are finals? According to Academic Senate policy F76-12 a time period is set aside at the end of each semester for a formal examination period. All classes are expected to meet during the final examination period whether an examination is given or not. The final examination schedule is: http://www.sfsu.edu/~acadres/fmal exams/fmalfl7.htm

What resources are available to me on campus? Disability Programs and Resource Center: Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process. The

DPRC, located in SSB 110, can be reached by telephone at 415-338-2472 (voice/TTY) or by e-mail at dprc@sfsu.edu.

Student Disclosures of Sexual Violence: SF State fosters a campus free of sexual violence including sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and/or any form of sex or gender discrimination. If you disclose a personal experience as an SF State student, the course instructor is required to notify the Dean of Students. To disclose any such violence confidentially, contact:The SAFE Place - (415) 338-2208; http://www.sfsu.edu/~safe pic/Counseling and Psychological Services Center - (415) 338-2208; http://psyservs.sfsu.edu/For more information on your rights and available resources: http://titleix.sfsu.edu

CHSS Student Resource Center (HSS 254): Provides academic advising and support to all students with a CHSS major. For more information and to book advising appointment: http://chss.sfsu.edu/src or call (415) 405-3740.