Course Overview

Welcome to EarthTab Business School. My name is Lachlan Harris and i will be your course preceptor for the course Public Policy and Administration. Public Policy and Administration is an interdisciplinary field that critically examines the processes, structures, and mechanisms through which governments formulate, implement, and evaluate policies to address societal needs. This course delves deeply into the theoretical foundations, practical frameworks, and institutional dynamics that shape public governance in modern states and organizations.

At its core, the course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of how policies are crafted, the political and administrative challenges that influence decision-making, and the strategies for effective public service delivery and management. It bridges theory and practice by analyzing case studies, exploring comparative public administration models, and highlighting the roles of various stakeholders including government agencies, elected officials, civil society, and the private sector.

This course recognizes that public policy is not developed in isolation but emerges from complex interactions among political institutions, bureaucratic actors, interest groups, media, and the public. Similarly, public administration is portrayed as the backbone of governance, encompassing leadership, ethics, organizational behavior, human resources, budgeting, and performance management in the public sector.

You will explore the entire policy cycle, from agenda setting and policy formulation through implementation and evaluation, emphasizing the critical stages where policy outcomes can succeed or fail. They will also gain insights into contemporary challenges such as globalization, digital governance, participatory democracy, sustainability, and accountability mechanisms.

Key Themes Include:

• The nature and scope of public policy and public administration as academic disciplines and practical endeavors.
  
  

• The roles and responsibilities of public administrators and policymakers in democratic governance.
  
  

• Policy analysis techniques, stakeholder mapping, and evidence-based decision-making.
  
  

• Organizational theories and their application to public sector institutions.
  
  

• Ethical considerations and accountability in public administration.
  
  

• Budgeting processes, financial management, and resource allocation in government.
  
  

• Human resource management in public organizations, including recruitment, training, and labor relations.
  
  

• Comparative perspectives on governance models from developed and developing countries.
  
  

• The impact of globalization and technology on policy development and service delivery.
  
  

• Strategies for effective policy implementation and program evaluation.
  
  

• The influence of politics, media, interest groups, and civil society on policy agendas.
  
  

• Crisis management, public communication, and transparency in government operations.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Critically analyze the stages of the public policy process and the factors influencing each phase.
  
  

• Evaluate various theoretical frameworks that explain public administration and governance.
  
  

• Develop practical skills in policy formulation, implementation strategies, and program evaluation.
  
  

• Understand and apply principles of public financial management and budgeting.
  
  

• Recognize ethical dilemmas and promote accountability in public service.
  
  

• Compare and contrast administrative systems globally to identify best practices.
  
  

• Assess the impact of digital technologies and globalization on modern public administration.
  
  

• Engage with multiple stakeholders effectively to influence policy outcomes.
  
  

• Address contemporary public administration challenges such as corruption, inefficiency, and citizen participation.