Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
PA 5318
Summer 2007
Course Description:
Information systems and communications technology have increasingly changed how
governmental organizations operate. This course explores the impact of information technology and
other forms of technology on government management, decision making, and public policy.
• To understand how politics and policies surrounding the use of technology impact public affairs
• To learn some of the trends and implications of evolving technology for public sector
organizations.
• To appreciate the challenges that information systems bring to the public affairs arena.
Required Texts:
G. David Garson 2003. Public Information Technology: Policy and Management Issues. Hershey,
PA: Idea Group. ISBN: 1-59140-060-0
Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene 2001. Powering Up: How Public Managers Can Take Control
of Information Technology. Washington, DC: CQ Press. ISBN: 1-56802-575-0
Citations:
For all citations, students should use: Turabian
For help with this style, visit: http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/cittur.htm
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Citation Examples:
• For a Book…
Okuda, Michael, and Denise Okuda. 1993. Star trek chronology: The history of the
future. New York: Pocket Books.
• For a Journal Article…
Wilcox, Rhonda V. 1991. Shifting roles and synthetic women in Star trek: The next
generation. Studies in Popular Culture 13(6): 53-65.
Course Requirements
Portfolio- Each student should build his/her portfolio in conjunction with the weekly class
assignments and readings. The portfolio will have a three-fold purpose: (1.) upon completion,
it can serve as a reference for future research; (2.) it can serve as a handy source of information
covered in this course as you move into various roles in the public sector; and (3.) during the
course, it will assist you in thinking through and assimilating the readings as a precursor to your
Threaded Discussion postings explained in the next section. Recommended readings are
NOT required to be included in the Portfolio. Each week, students should compose the
following in his/her portfolio:
Threaded Discussions- Learning, like almost everything, is more enjoyable when it is a shared
experience. Threaded discussions are a way to provide a way for us to share this learning
experience together. Due to the shorter summer semester and the demands of the other
course projects, our discussions will be limited to three. This places a premium on engaging in
intelligent and informed discussions that stay on-topic. Wise students will read the following
description of these discussions and take careful note of the information to take full advantage
of the potential points available via these discussions.
The threaded discussions work this way: A discussion question is posted for each week that it
is due under the weekly icon. Each week a discussion is assigned, you are expected to
participate in the discussions that occur there. The active and consistent involvement of each
student is expected. Each student should make one “main” posting addressing the weekly
question AND have at least one other posting demonstrating he/she is engaged in the
discussion as it occurs. I will post some final comments and thoughts at the end of the week.
Postings can begin as early as Monday morning and continue until midnight on Sunday. If a
posting is made within ten minutes after the deadline, there will be a one point deduction for
each minute after midnight. Postings made after 12:10 am will be given a grade of 0. It is
crucial that each student stays up to date on the readings in order to get his/her postings
completed on time. Each student is expected to participate in all of the discussions. The
first threaded discussion posting during Week 1 is not graded.
1. For all discussion threads, students should be careful to respond to all aspects of the
original question(s). There are two formats we will use: general discussions and
posts.
• For general THREADED DISCUSSION, do not pretend you are in a vacuum.
Acknowledge and react to what others have already said. Students are
encouraged to support or take issue with points raised by other students.
• For DISCUSSION POSTS, students are encouraged to read other posts, but
should not respond to their colleagues. Also, be sure to compose an answer
independent of what others have said. In other words, do not rely on what others
have said for your post.
class. Some students may find it useful to compose the posting in a Word document
to facilitate editing prior to making the actual posting via WebCT. Be sure to include
in your posting specific references to the assigned readings (by author’s name,
year of publication, and page number) and the lecture to demonstrate your
grasp of the concepts. In other words, you should demonstrate that you have
read and digested the assigned materials.
3. The quality of the posting is more important than quantity. Two to four paragraphs
should be sufficient to get your point across. The posting should include a descriptive
and appropriate phrase in the “Subject” field. This will help to organize the
discussion.
4. You are expected to be involved in the discussion throughout the week. You should
visit the discussion several times each week to keep up with the discussion taking
place. Making one post is not adequate to receive full credit. Each student should
make one “main” posting addressing the weekly question AND have at least one
other posting demonstrating they are engaged in the discussion as it occurs.
A helpful hint: If someone makes reference to your contribution or takes issue
with something you have stated, you will want to respond before the time has
elapsed for the week. If you do not respond, it is obvious that you are not
checking back on the threaded discussion as it develops.
5. Since the threaded discussions are our class discussions, the same rules apply as in
class. In general, these include the following: become engaged in class discussion,
be honest, don’t posture, be respectful, and don’t ramble. In addition, each participant
is expected to employ all conventions of good English composition, including, but not
limited to capitalization, grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, and referencing.
7. Do not get in a habit of waiting until the end of the discussion to make your posting.
Each student will be expected to make some “early in the week” postings. Grades will
be reflective of when the posts are made.
8. Do not post ahead of schedule. While it is acceptable (and encouraged) for students
to work ahead of the stated schedule, work should be posted only during the week it
is due. In other words, students should not post discussion threads or assignments in
Week 10 during Week 9, for example. If students wish to compose their assignments
in advance, they should maintain those on their personal computer and post them
only during the week they are due. If this poses a problem, please let me know.
In grading your weekly threaded discussion contribution, I will look for three (3) things:
• Input that addresses all items marginally or addresses only two of the three items will receive an
evaluation between 80 and 89 (B).
• Input that addresses the items inadequately or addresses only one of the items will receive an
evaluation of 79 or below (C/D/F).
Case Study – The purpose of the case study is to expose each student to a real case of
information systems and to apply the issues discussed in the course to an actual organization. The
organization can be a sub-group (such as a department or division) of a larger organization.
For this assignment, each student will prepare a detailed case study of how a public
organization has dealt with some issue or problem with respect to information technology. A
public organization is required. Programs or schools of educational institutions are also
acceptable. Ideas for cases can be found in technology magazines, newspaper articles, or
public sector publications. Once a case study is identified, each student should research the
case to locate at least three (3) articles that discuss the story. Academic, peer-reviewed
literature on IT in public affairs including course readings, as well as other sources, should be
used to inform the case. The final product should be a 2,000 – 5,000 word report. Respect this
word count guideline. Each report will be checked for the number of words.
The topic of the case study should fall within one of the following broad categories:
• the process of new technology being implemented in an organization (e.g., using
point-of-sale technology in the food stamp program administered by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture)
• how a major IT system (e.g., financial software, GIS system, etc.) played a key
role in the development of a significant public policy at the local or state level
(e.g., the introduction of automated cameras at intersections to enforce the
running of red lights)
1) Introduction: Describe the organization and the IT project. What is the nature
of the project? Why was it undertaken? How is it new or innovative to the
organization? Be sure to explain all concepts and terminology clearly so an
observer from outside the organization would have no problem understanding the
discussion.
5) Analysis: Analyze the case in light of current research. This section should
reference academic literature including our course readings, at least five (5)
outside readings from academic journals, and newspaper or popular
magazine articles. Internal documents from the organization, if available, are
strongly suggested.
Stage Three: The Report. During Week 11, e-mail your final report to me via
WebCT mail. Do not wait until the last minute to submit this assignment. Be
sure to include the title, your name, the abstract, and the list of references in ONE
FILE. In other words, do not submit multiple files.
The criteria used to judge case studies will heavily depend on the following:
• The extent and comprehensiveness of your research including the literature review. (It
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should be clear that you spent a great deal of effort on this paper.)
• The extent to which you synthesize the research and offer insights into the case.
• The logical organization, quality of the writing, proper citations (per the guidelines
identified on page 1 herein), and overall presentation of the case.
• The length of the report (per the guidelines identified herein).
Part 2: Using the articles you chose as your starting point, compose a 1200-2000
word fictional essay about a day in the life of a professional public
administrator at any level of government twenty years from now - the more
realistic, the better. You have a great degree of latitude on this assignment,
so be creative. Interweave your collection of chosen innovations into this
essay to explore the potential effects on
(3) the need for new public policies to address any concerns
introduced by the new technologies.
You must build into this essay each of the four IT innovations you identified in
Part 1. Be sure to properly cite the articles you found in Part 1 in the body
of the essay and include a reference section at the end of the essay. (See
the guidelines on citations on page 1 of this Syllabus.) To submit this
deliverable, post your work in the appropriate learning module.
Grade: The course grade will consist of a number of components. The breakdown is
described below:
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Course Policies
Late Work
Threaded discussion postings should be made during the week they are due. If a posting is
made within ten minutes after the deadline, there will be a one point deduction for each minute
after midnight. Postings made after 12:10 am will be given a grade of 0. ALL OTHER LATE
ASSIGNMENTS WILL RECEIVE A DEDUCTION OF TEN PERCENTAGE POINTS FOR EACH
WEEK OR PORTION THEREOF FOLLOWING THE DUE DATE. Exceptions may include a
mutually agreed arrangement made in advance or bona fide emergencies (be prepared to
supply documentation). Problems with your personal computer (such as computer “crashes”)
do not count as an emergency. Review the schedule in this syllabus. If there are conflicts,
please discuss them with me ASAP. And, please let me know is something significant happens
to you during the semester that could interfere with your submitting class assignments on time
(death in family, loss of job, etc.)
Instructor Availability
One of the most important ways to be successful in the course is to have your questions
answered in advance of your submission of the assignments for a grade. So, if you have a
question and this Syllabus does not answer it for you, ask me!
Option 1: E-mail is likely our best method for communication. Please use WebCT to contact
me. I will generally respond to e-mail within 2-3 working days.
Option 2: You can also call me at the phone numbers on the first page of this syllabus.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules
and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,
Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook
of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating
the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done
by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work
or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any
other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism
(see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which
searches text for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some
issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The
university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T.
Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of
confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T.
Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.
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Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary
to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for
students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example,
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a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes
enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities.
The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or
mobility assistance.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to
verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
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Assignments:
• Introduce yourself to the class as described below.
• Begin reading assignments for Week 2 so that you will be able to
post the Week 2 Threaded Discussion beginning Monday.
Barrett and Greene – pp. 15-28 & review Glossary: pp. 228-232.
Perlman, Ellen. 2002. High Tech, Low Tech. In Governing: Issues and
Applications from the Front Lines of Government, ed. Alan Ehrenhalt, 76-80.
Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Threaded discussion: Share with the class one point from this week’s
readings that stood out to you. Your comments should focus on the
importance of information technology to public organizations and public
leaders. Do not repeat the points that others have already stated.
Garson – Chapter XIII: World Wide Web Site Design and Use in Public
Management
Applications from the Front Lines of Government, ed. Alan Ehrenhalt, 64-68.
Washington, DC: CQ Press.
Recommended:
Brown, Mary M. and Jeffrey L. Brudney. 2004. Achieving Advanced
Electronic Government Services: Opposing Environmental Constraints.
Public Performance & Management Review 28(1): 96-113.
Threaded discussion: This week, we will divide the class in half, with each
group addressing a different side of e-government. Relying heavily on the
readings for this week…
• Those students whose last name begins with A-L should select and
discuss in some depth one benefit of e-government for public
organizations.
• Those students whose last name begins with M-Z should select and
discuss in some depth one challenge of e-government for public
organizations.
(Choose an issue that has not already been addressed by a colleague.)
Recommended:
Barrett and Greene – Chapter 15: pp. 146-153
Case Study Proposal: This week, send me your Case Study Proposal. Be
sure to review the details of this submission in this Syllabus prior to submitting it.
Garson – Chapter IX: Computer Tools for Better Public Sector Management
TechWatch Assignment (Part 1): Submit your essay via a POST to our class
website discussion board. Be sure to read all of the essays posted by the class
at the end of the week. Strongly recommended topics include: Wireless
computing (PDAs, Cell Phones, Laptops, Municipal hot spots, etc.),
Convergence (voice, video, data on the same infrastructure), Java, Web
Management, Active X, digital signatures and other security-related software, E-
911 and 411, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Storage Area Networks, XML,
Municipalities & Wi-Fi, customer relations management software, various anti-
spam and anti-virus software and hardware technologies, telework, Services-
Oriented Development of Applications (SODA), Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP), Robotics (while somewhat neglected by the media, significant and
recent advances in robotics have brought this technology in the realm of
affordability to the masses), Nanotechnology (NASA has expanded its research
on projects based on manipulation of atoms and designing molecule-size
machines. This discipline is in its infancy.), biometrics technologies (such as iris
recognition), BLOGs and Podcasts.
Threaded discussion: Offer the class a personal example of how GIS has been
used to inform a policy decision. What important lessons can we learn from your
example? (If you do not have a personal example, research one from a
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Neal, Scott. 2005. What about those Blogs? Public Management 87(5):
18-21.
Case Study Draft. Send the draft of your Case Study to the two students
whose last names follow yours alphabetically. Be sure to use the WebCT
private mail to send your case study directly to these individuals.
No Threaded Discussion This Week – Use this week of class to work on
the following:
1. Read your counterparts’ draft case studies
2. Begin composing the critiques of your counterparts’ case studies that will be sent back to them next
week
3. Revise your case study based on the feedback you receive
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Case Study Critique. Send your critiques directly to the authors of the
case studies you received; use the WebCT private mail to send your
critiques directly to the authors. Do not copy me on your critiques, but
please let me know if you do not receive your two critiques on your work
by midnight on Sunday.
11 Conclusion
Case Study Report DUE. Submit your REVISED case study via WebCT.
Please refer to the Case Study section of this syllabus for other
submission details.