IU Bulletins HomeBloomington CampusIndianapolis Campusred
Indiana University

Search Public and Environmental Affairs 2002-2004 Online Undergraduate Bulletin

Request Public and Environmental Affairs 2002-2004 Application Packet

School of Public and Environmental Affairs 2002-2004 Online Bulletin Table of Contents

 

 

School of Public
and Environmental
Affairs 2002-2004
Academic Bulletin

SPEA Web Site
Undergraduate Advising Office
SPEA 240
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405-1701
(800) 765-7755 Local (812) 855-0635
Contact SPEA

SPEA Web Site
Business/SPEA Building (BS) 3027
801 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317) 274-4656 toll free (877) 292-9321
Contact SPEA
 

Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Courses

The abbreviation ''P'' refers to course prerequisites and ''R'' to recommended prerequisite courses. Prerequisites can be waived by the instructor of the course. The number of hours of credit is indicated in parentheses following the course title. Courses are listed in four groups: environmental, public health, criminal justice, and public affairs.

Environmental Courses
Public Health Courses
Criminal Justice Courses
Public Affairs Courses

Environmental Courses

E100 Environmental Topics (1-3 cr.) Study of selected issues in environmental affairs. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

E162 Environment and People (3 cr.) An interdisciplinary examination of the problems of population, pollution, and natural resources and their implications for society. Credit not given for both SPEA E162 and E262.

E262 Environmental Problems and Solutions (3 cr.) An integrated approach to understanding and solving environmental problems. Topics may include ecosystem restoration, surface water and groundwater contamination, air pollution, and global environmental change. This course is intended primarily for majors in the B.S.E.S. degree program.

E272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.) P: a statistics course. Application of principles from life and physical sciences to the understanding and management of the environment. Emphasis will be placed on (1) the physical and biological restraints on resource availability and use, and (2) the technological and scientific options to solving environmental problems.

E311 Introduction to Risk Assessment and Risk Communication (3 cr.) This course will cover basic human health and risk assessment procedures, as outlined by the various regulatory agencies (especially EPA) and standards settings groups. Because risk communication is an integral part of any risk management process, risk communication techniques and applications will be integrated into the course material.

E325 Computing for Environmental Scientists (1-3 cr.) P: MATH M118 or M119; K300 or equivalent; SPEA E272. Survey of computing applications to environmental issues. Personal computing emphasized. Application of spreadsheets, graphics, simple statistics, and BASIC programming to environmental science issues. Manipulation and interpretation of real data, case studies, and projects. Many software packages used.

E326 Mathematical Methods in Environmental Science (3 cr.) P: MATH M119 or M211; CSCI C211 or BUS K201; and K300. Mathematical modeling in environmental science. Expressing problems as equations. Applications and numerical evaluation of derivatives and integrals. Derivation and solution of differential equations. Use of package FORTRAN subroutines in problem solving. Statistics applied to environmental science.

E340 Environmental Economics and Finance (3 cr.) This course familiarizes students with the principles of environmental economics, finance, and cost-benefit analysis. The incentive effects of environmental policy design are assessed. Policy instruments include tradeable permits, emissions taxes, deposit-refund systems, pollution-prevention programs, and voluntary agreements. Project appraisal techniques are then developed and applied to specific case evaluations.

E355 Introduction to Limnology (3 cr.) Limnology is the integrated science of inland waters. Principles of physics, chemistry, geology, and biology combine to form the basis for understanding how lakes and streams function as aquatic ecosystems. The course will highlight the effects of human activity on lake and stream ecosystems.

E360 Introduction to Biological Resources (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272; any biology course. This course provides the necessary background for students interested in fisheries, wildlife, or forest management who have had little course work or experience with the taxonomy, ecology, or natural history of plants or animals.

E363 Environmental Management (3 cr.) Introductory course in environmental management. Subjects covered include current issues and trends, total quality environment management, managing scientific and technical personnel, managing contracts and grants, nontraditional approaches to regulation, environmental conflict resolution, working with the media, risk communication, and working with communities.

E400 Topics in Environmental Studies (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272. An interdisciplinary consideration of specific environmental topics. May be repeated for credit.

E410 Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; any biology course. Study of toxic mechanisms, pathology, and disease development resulting from exposure to biological and chemical agents in the environment.

E411 Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology (3 cr.) An overview is presented of the theory and practice of groundwater movement, groundwater contamination, and aquifer testing and remediation, as well as policy issues such as groundwater management. The formal lectures are supplemented by several guest speakers, who are professionals working in different areas of groundwater hydrology.

E412 Risk Communication (3 cr.) Risk communication is the means by which technical information is communicated to others (the public included), especially in the context of making decisions about environmentally related policy (such as siting of a landfill). The course emphasizes both theory (in lectures) and practical experience through developing and acting in role-play scenarios.

E418 Vector-Based Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.) Introduction to geographic information systems using vector data structure Vector GIS capabilities and uses. Data structure and file management of spatial data. Laboratory exercises using ARC/INFO software.

E419 Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment (3 cr.) Applications of remotely sensed data and raster geographic information systems in environmental research. Concepts of remote sensing. Image acquisition from different sensors, ranging from aerial photography to various types of satellite imagery. Image processing and analysis. Raster geographic information systems. Raster-vector integration. Concepts of spatial analysis.

E431 Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; CHEM C101 or equivalent; MATH M119 or equivalent. Health and ecological premises for water and wastewater treatment; principles of water supply; treatment, distribution, and construction; basis for water standards and laboratory examinations; wastewater disposal methods and construction for private installations, institutions, municipalities, and industries; water quality control with respect to wastewater pollution.

E440 Wetlands: Biology and Regulation (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; any biology course. This course trains students to evaluate wetlands to comply with federal, state, and local regulations. It examines the principles that inspired these regulations and assesses the consequences. It seeks to relate the breadth and strength of available scientific knowledge to public policy goals.

E441 Controversies in Environmental Health (3 cr.) A skills course in a debate format. Skills are developed by researching, preparing arguments for, and debating topics related to environmental health and health of the environment. Clear writing skills are also emphasized, as the students write up debate evaluations, which are critically graded for content, form, and style.

E442 Habitat Analysis—Terrestrial (3 cr.) This is an experiential field methods course. Students work as teams, collecting field data to test hypotheses about forest habitats. Students will learn new methods and field skills in local parks and forests, then prepare scientific reports that incorporate statistical analysis to be presented in a class symposium.

E443 Habitat Analysis—Aquatic (3 cr.) This is an experiential field methods course. Students work in teams, collecting field data to test hypotheses about aquatic habitats. Students will learn new methods and field skills in local creeks, lakes, and wetlands; then prepare scientific reports that incorporate statistical analysis to be presented in a class symposium.

E451 Air Pollution and Control (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; CHEM C101 or equivalent; MATH M119 or equivalent. Type, sources, and behavior of air contaminants; economic, social, and health hazard aspect of air pollutants; principles of evaluation; indices of pollution and their worth; control measures, organization, and administration of community control programs.

E452 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316. Types and sources of solid waste; collection methods; disposal techniques: sanitary landfill, incineration, composting, reclaiming, or recycling; advantages and disadvantages of each; special and hazardous waste handling; operation and management of solid and hazardous waste programs.

E455 Limnology (4 cr.) P: College chemistry and biology or permission of instructor. Limnology is the ecology of inland lakes and streams, combining the principles of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to understand how they function. The effects of human perturbation on aquatic systems will be highlighted in both lectures and laboratory work to aid student understanding of the concepts involved.

E456 Lake and Watershed Management (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; CHEM C101 or equivalent. Students will learn to apply basic limnological principles to diagnose lake and watershed problems, to understand lake response to pollution, to identify appropriate management solutions, and to predict lake response to management.

E457 Introduction to Conservation Biology (3 cr.) P: an ecology course. Ecological principles associated with rare species and with biodiversity, laws and statutes used to conserve biodiversity, and land and species management practices. The aim is to understand scientific and political complexities of conservation biology and to study different methods used to conserve living resources and resolve conflicts associated with conservation.

E460 Fisheries and Wildlife Management (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; any biology course. This course first reviews taxonomy, vertebrate biology, and population ecology; then introduces the student to a variety of conflicts concerning fisheries and wildlife. Cases examine endangered species, over harvesting, maximum sustained yield, habitat evaluation, and recreational use.

E461 Fisheries and Wildlife Management Laboratory (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316; any biology course; and SPEA E460 (can be concurrent). Practical experience course in which students identify fish and wildlife in the field for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of and making recommendations for change to existing wildlife plans.

E465 Environmental Management in the Tropics (3 cr.) Historical examination of land use in tropical, non-Western cultures. Resource use in physical and cultural settings is explored through an interface with ecology, economics, and policy analysis. Common principles of analysis are used to help the students understand the cultural and historical dimensions of how people relate to their environment.

E466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3 cr.) This course explores how stakeholders manage environmental problems that extend beyond national borders. Key questions considered include the following: How do nations resolve environmental conflict? Is environmental diplomacy in a state of crisis? How can we improve international environmental management? Historical, contemporary, and emerging institutions for international environmental protection are examined.

E470 Elements of Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.) P: E272 or H316; MATH M119 or equivalent. Introduction to the fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics that relate to environmental science. Topics are selected from three disciplines. From hydraulics: hydrostatics, flow-through pipes, and open channels. From water surface hydrology: water balances, stream-flow measurements, and calculations. From groundwater hydrology: Darcy's Law, flow nets, and pumping tests.

E475 Techniques of Environmental Science (3 cr.) P: SPEA E272 or H316. Principles and methods of sampling, collection, measurement, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data concerning environmental science. Through lab demonstrations and field work, students will become familiar with instrumentation and analytical methods currently used in environmental analysis. Team instruction will be used to demonstrate techniques.

E476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.) Introductory course in environmental law and regulation. Subjects covered include command and control regulation, air quality, water quality, toxics, waste management, energy, natural resources, international environmental law, and alternative dispute resolution.

E490 Directed Field Research in Environmental Science (1-4 cr.) Individualized laboratory or field-based research in any field of environmental science, under the direction of an advising professor. Students are expected to write a report on their research at the end of each semester. May be used to fulfill laboratory course requirement with the permission of the appropriate science department.

E491 Honors Research in Environmental Science (1-4 cr.) Individualized laboratory or field-based honors research in any field of environmental science, under direction of an advising professor. Students are expected to write a report on their research at the end of each semester. May be used to fulfill laboratory course requirement with permission of the appropriate science department.

Return to Top

Public Health Courses

H120 Contemporary Health Issues (1-3 cr.) An examination of current public health, environmental health, and health service delivery issues in the United States Topics include the organization and costs of health systems, access to care, and the interrelationships between risk factors and health; also, environmental challenges facing our society and their impact on health.

H316 Environmental Health (3 cr.) An orientation to the broad concerns of environmental and health interactions. Topics considered include vector control, food sanitation, air quality control, water and wastewater treatment and quality control, solid and hazardous waste management, industrial hygiene, radiation safety, and public safety, as well as related policy and administrative techniques.

H320 Health Systems Administration (3 cr.) An overview of the U.S. health care delivery system. It examines the organization, function, and role of the system; current system problems; and alternative systems or solutions.

H322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 cr.) A basic overview of epidemiologic methodology and techniques. Both communicable and chronic disease risk factors will be discussed, along with data acquisition, analysis techniques, and current published epidemiological studies.

H342 Community Health Education (3 cr.) A study of theory and practice in the field of professional health education. The process of behavioral change is examined. Procedures for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health education practices are considered.

H352 Health Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.) A study of the financial management of health care facilities, based on generally accepted business principles. Accounting and managerial control of cash, accounts receivable, inventory control, budgeting, and cost control, as well as accounting and evaluation of short- and long-term debt will be examined.

H353 Advanced Health Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.) P: SPEA H352. This course builds upon H352 Health Finance and Budgeting course. Will use a series of case studies to apply techniques and principles taught in SPEA H352.

H354 Health Economics (3 cr.) This course will familiarize students with economic tools and principles applied to health care and policy. In addition to the textbook, students will analyze recent articles on federal policy.

H365 Health Administration Practicum (3 cr.) P: SPEA H320. The Health Administration Practicum will consist of a personal career-planning component coupled with weekly field visits to health care agencies in central Indiana. Students must perform satisfactorily in both parts of the practicum to receive a passing grade.

H367 Environmental Science and Health Practicum (2 cr.) P: SPEA H316. The Environmental Science and Health Practicum will consist of a personal career-planning component coupled with a weekly field visits to environmental science and health-related organizations in central Indiana. Students must perform satisfactorily in both parts of the practicum to receive a passing grade.

H371 Human Resources Management in Health Care Facilities (3 cr.) This course covers the function of management, which is concerned with the acquisition, development, and use of human resources in the field of health care delivery. Labor relations relating to health care delivery are also included.

H401 Strategic Planning for Health Care Organizations (3 cr.) This course examines strategic planning techniques as they apply to health care organizations. Students will develop and defend a comprehensive strategic plan for a case facility. One half of the course will be conducted in a workshop format.

H402 Hospital Administration (3 cr.) P: SPEA H320. The study of organization, structure, function, and fiscal operations within hospitals. The role of the hospital in the community, relationship to official and voluntary health agencies, coordination of hospital departments, and managerial involvement will be examined.

H411 Long-Term Care Administration (3 cr.) Nursing home regulations, legal aspects, and insurance; personnel management; medical records; diet and food service; rehabilitation; nursing services; psychiatric aspects in handling of geriatric patients; professional standards; use of volunteer groups.

H416 Environmental Health Policy (3 cr.) Study of professional requirements and duties of the environmental health functions within health agencies; consideration of applicable laws and standards in each environmental health function; environmental health program planning, evaluation, implementation, and personnel responsibilities.

H420 Health Policy (3 cr.) P: SPEA H320. This course will focus on current health policy issues within the context of the U.S. health care system. The course will familiarize students with the political environment of public policy, introduce major health care policy perspectives, and apply those analytical models to a series of health policy issues.

H422 The Social Epidemics: AIDS, Violence, and Substance Abuse (3 cr.) This course examines HIV/AIDS, violence, and substance abuse in the context of racial, gender, sexual orientation, and class dynamics that may underlie the way these pathologies affect certain populations. Emphasized is the recognition that how we define disease and causation can influence how we attempt to find a cure. (Fort Wayne only)

H423 Disease Vector Control (3 cr.) Survey of animal and insect disease vectors and economic pests of public health significance; vector and pest identification and control procedures; survey of the classification, application, and restriction of pesticides in controlling disease vectors and economic pests commonly found in the United States.

H428 Food Science and Sanitation (3 cr.) Basic concepts of food technology, with emphasis on methods and procedures in food processing to minimize contamination and to prevent food-related illness. Federal, state, and local food laws and inspection procedures will be examined.

H432 Health Care Marketing (3 cr.) A practical study of marketing in health care institutions, health service organizations, and health insurers. A basic foundation in marketing principles, new methods in marketing products and services, and inexpensive marketing techniques will be examined.

H433 Industrial Hygiene and Radiological Health (3 cr.) Fundamental concepts of industrial and occupational health hazards of a biological, chemical, or physical nature; evaluation of hazards, methods of control, and safety protection; Occupational Safety and Health Act standards. Principles of radioactivity; characteristics of ionizing and nonionizing radiation; detection and measurement of radiation dose and exposure, radiation uses and hazards; methods for controlling radiation hazards.

H441 Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration (3 cr.) An overview of the liability and legal responsibility, as well as legal recourse that health care facilities may exercise. This course will discuss policies and standards relating to health facility administration. Also included is a discussion of financial aspects unique to the hospital/health care facility environment, such as third-party payments and federal assistance.

H448 Public Health Education Methods (3 cr.) Usual techniques of group work with investigations of social and psychological factors that determine effectiveness in promoting public health. Laboratory time provides opportunity for competence in group work and in design and use of promotional materials.

H455 Topics in Public Health (1-3 cr.) Extensive discussion of selected topics in public health. The topic may change from semester to semester, based on resource availability and student demand. May be repeated for credit.

H456 Managed Care (3 cr.) Course examines the organizational structures of managed care as used in the health industry. The strengths and weaknesses of managed care organizations are examined, as well as the performance of both public and private managed care organizations. Course also examines and discusses current issues surrounding managed care.

H459 Environmental Science and Health Data Analysis (3 cr.) Provides students with an understanding of the basic principles needed to perform sampling and analysis of field and laboratory environmental data. Topics include properties of chemical and biological constituents, detection limits, calibration, quality control, precision accuracy, and statistical analysis.

H460 Techniques in Environmental Science and Health (3 cr.) P: SPEA H459. Basic physical, chemical, and biological examinations and standards for potable water quality, wastewater treatment determinations, and stream pollution control. Basic physical, chemical, and biological (ergonometric) examinations used in industrial hygiene and air pollution control. Instruction in basic laboratory skills and techniques for performing these examinations.

H466 Public Health Field Experience (1 cr.) Supervised advanced training in professional and technical functions in public health; guided student activity and performance in professional public health functions. Individualized programs may be arranged to suit students' areas of concentration.

H472 Applied Health Administration (3 cr.) P: SPEA H320. This course is a study of the complexities of multi-institutional arrangements and integrated services in the U.S. health care industry. The focus is applying management skills to and making comparisons of the current driving forces among health care delivery system components.

H474 Health Administration Seminar (3 cr.) P: SPEA H320 and senior standing. This course will examine current issues in public health and governmental and private initiatives to resolve these issues.

Return to Top

Criminal Justice Courses

J101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.) Introduction to the criminal justice system of the United States and its function in contemporary society.

J201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. This course examines the impact of sociological, biological, and economic theories of crime and the practice of criminal justice. Focus is on the nature and importance of theory, context of theoretical developments, methods for the critical analysis of theoretical developments, and policy implications of the varying perspectives considered.

J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Course examines basic concepts of criminal justice. Students become familiar with research techniques necessary for systematic analysis of the criminal justice system, offender behavior, crime trends, and program effectiveness. Students will learn to critically evaluate existing research. Students will become familiar with existing sources of criminal justice data and will learn to assess the quality of that data.

J260 Topics in Criminal Justice (1-3 cr.) Study of selected issues in criminal justice. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

J301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101; R: SPEA J201 and SPEA J202. The development, limitations, and application of substantive criminal law, utilizing the case-study method.

J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Criminal law application and procedure from the initiation of police activity through the correctional process, utilizing the case-study method.

J303 Evidence (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. The rules of law governing proof at trial of disputed issues of fact; burden of proof; presumptions and judicial notice; examination, impeachment, competency, and privileges of witnesses; hearsay rule and exceptions—all related as nearly as possible to criminal, as opposed to civil, processes.

J304 Correctional Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Legal problems from conviction to release: pre-sentence investigations, sentencing, probation and parole, incarceration, loss and restoration of civil rights.

J305 Juvenile Justice (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. This course is designed to provide an overview of the justice system's response to abused, neglected, and dependent children; juvenile misconduct; and delinquent behavior. An extensive review of the development of recent legal changes to the court, options for prevention, treatment of juvenile offenders, and possible system reforms.

J306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101; R: SPEA J201 and SPEA J202. An analysis of the criminal justice process from prosecution through appeal. The organization and operation of felony and misdemeanor courts are examined. Topics include prosecutorial decision making, plea bargaining, judicial selection, and the conduct of trials, sentencing, and appeal.

J310 Introduction to Administrative Processes (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Introduction to principles of management and systems theory for the administration of criminal justice agencies. Credit not given for both SPEAJ310 and SPEAV270.

J320 Criminal Investigation (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Theory of investigation, crime scene procedures, interviews, interrogations, surveillances, and sources of information; collection and preservation of physical evidence; investigative techniques in specific crimes.

J321 American Policing (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101; R: SPEA J201 and SPEA J202. This course will examine the history, evolution, and organization of policing in the United States. Emphasis is placed on such major contemporary issues as the police role, discretion, use of force, corruption, accountability, and community policing.

J322 Introduction to Criminalistics (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101; R: SPEA J301. The broad range of physical evidence developed through the investigative process, and methods of identifying and establishing validity and relevance through forensic laboratory techniques.

J331 Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101; R: SPEA J201 and SPEA J202. This course examines the historical development of the U.S. correctional system; the study of administration of local, state, and federal corrections programs, including jails, probation, community corrections, and prisons. Includes the study of punishment rationales, current correctional policies, and possibilities for reform.

J355 Global Criminal Justice Perspectives (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. An international review of select criminal justice perspectives and systems within the primary legal traditions of common, civil, Islamic, and socialist systems, as well as those that do not fit into established categories, such as Native American and African tribal justice.

J369 Private Justice: Police, Courts, and Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. This course examines the role of private policing and security, courts and adjudication, and corrections. Includes legislative and ethical issues and the economics of criminal and juvenile justice privatization. Principles of loss prevention, protection of assets, relationship between public and private services, and current issues in privatization will be discussed.

J370 Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Selected contemporary topics in criminal justice. May be repeated for credit.

J376 Principles of Public Safety (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Examination of threats to public safety and of governmental response at various levels to those threats. Treatment of areas such as transportation and highway threats; occupational safety and health; criminal threats; emergency and disaster planning; consumer protection; and fire control and suppression. Discussion of techniques to identify and measure risk, the acceptability of risk, and governmental attempts to control risk.

J380 Internship in Criminal Justice (1-6 cr.) P: permission of instructor. Open to interested students who qualify upon approval of the faculty. Students may be placed with various criminal justice agencies for assignment to defined tasks relevant to their educational interests. Tasks may involve staff work or research. Full-time participants may earn up to 6 credit hours. May be repeated for credit. Course is graded S/F (Satisfactory/Fail).

J433 Institutional Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. The history and development of the jail, penitentiary, prison, and reformatory. Analysis and evaluation of contemporary imprisonment.

J439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101; R: SPEA J201 and SPEA J202. A detailed examination of the major efforts designed to control or reduce crime. A review of existing knowledge is followed by an investigation of current crime control theories, proposals, and programs.

J440 Corrections in the Community (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. A detailed analysis of correctional alternatives to incarceration that focus on the reintegration of the offender while remaining in the community. Because of their extensive use, considerable attention is given to probation and parole. Other topics include diversion, community residential programs, restitution, halfway houses, and home detention.

J445 Trends in Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. Analysis and evaluation of contemporary correctional systems. Discussion of recent research concerning the correctional institution and the various field services.

J460 Police in the Community (3 cr.) P: SPEA J101. In-depth examination of crime as an urban policy problem, focusing on the role of police and victims in defining crime as a policy problem, and their role in seeking to reduce the incidence of crime.

J470 Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.) P: senior standing. Emphasizes current developments in legal, administrative, and operational aspects of the criminal justice system.

J480 Research in Criminal Justice (1-6 cr.) P: junior standing and consent of instructor. Individual research under guidance of faculty member.

Return to Top

Public Affairs Courses

K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) P: MATH M014 or equivalent. R: MATH M118. An introduction to statistics. Nature of statistical data. Ordering and manipulation of data. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. Elementary probability. Concepts of statistical inference decision: estimation and hypothesis testing. Special topics discussed may include regression and correlation, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods. Credit not given for both K300 and either ECON E270/ E370, SOCS250, or PSY/MATH K310.

V100 Current Topics in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) Readings and discussion of current public issues and problems. May be repeated for credit.

V160 National and International Policy (3 cr.) This course will discuss current debates about United States public policy on the national and international levels. Some policy issues covered are economic, crime, security, health, and energy. Credit not given for both V160 and V170.

V161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.) An introduction to urban policy issues. Topics include political, social, and economic foundations and development of cities and suburbs; urban planning; poverty; and other selected urban problems. Credit not given for both V161 and V264.

V170 Introduction to Public Affairs (3 cr.) Broad coverage of public affairs through critical and analytical inquiry into policy making at all levels of government. Particular emphasis on intergovernmental relations as they affect policy in the federal system. Credit not given for both V160 and V170.

V221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.) This course provides a broad overview of the U.S. nonprofit sector. Topics include the sector's size and scope; and its religious, historical, and theoretical underpinnings. It also examines perspectives on why people organize, donate to, and volunteer for nonprofit organizations, and looks at current challenges that the sector faces.

V252 Career Development (1 cr.) Career planning and placement strategies, assessment of labor market information, market surveys, and development of customized portfolios. Emphasis given to projects, papers, and independent research.

V260 Topics in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) Study of selected issues in public affairs. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

V261 Computers in Public Affairs (3 cr.) An introduction to computer applications in public affairs. Topics include basic terminology, core concepts, and issues associated with managing operating systems, designing networks, and applying user information technology to public affairs problems. Issues of security and ethics in computing are also considered. Credit given for only one of BUS K201, CSCI A106, CSCI A110, and SPEA V261.

V263 Public Management (3 cr.) This course is an examination of the management process in public organizations in the United States. Special attention will be given to external influences on public managers, the effect of the intergovernmental environment and, in particular, problems of management in a democratic, limited government system.

V264 Urban Structure and Policy (3 cr.) An introduction to urban government and policy issues. Topics include urban government structure and policy making, the economic foundations and development of cities, demography of cities and suburbs, land-use planning, and other selected urban policy problems. Credit not given for both SPEA V161 and SPEAV264.

V267 American Humanics Management Institute (1 cr.) Students attending the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI) are required to participate in orientation meetings to plan for AHMI and raise funds for the trip. AHMI is held annually in January. Permission of the American Humanics Campus Director is required. May be repeated for credit.

V268 American Humanics Topics (1-3 cr.) Topics covering specific American Humanics competencies reflecting the particular needs and interests of participating students and the local advisory board for the program. Topics may include risk management, fundraising, board and committee development, and nonprofit marketing. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

V270 Survey of Administrative Techniques (3 cr.) Introduction to principles of management and systems theory for the administration of public agencies. Credit not given for both SPEAV270 and SPEA J310.

V340 Urban Government Administration (3 cr.) Structure of local government in the United States, federalism and intergovernmental relations, policy problems faced by local officials, and the implications of these problems for local government administrators.

V346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.) P: BUS A201 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to government accounting, including comparison with accounting for the private sector; intended as background for the use of financial administrators. The course deals primarily with municipal accounting.

V348 Management Science (3 cr.) P: SPEA K300, MATH M025, or MATH M118. Introduction to management science models and methods for policy analysis and public management. Methods include decision analysis, linear programming, queuing analysis, and simulation. Computer-based applications are included. Prior familiarization with computers is recommended, though not required.

V350 Introduction to Development Administration (3 cr.) Introduction to the administration of development activities in poor countries. Examines key problems, including the complexity of development, the interplay of external donors and domestic administration, and the difficulties of organizing and managing development efforts. Combines cases and textual readings, allowing the student to analyze actual programs, policies, and projects.

V352 Personal Career Planning (1 cr.) Investigation of careers, the world of work, and the career-planning process. The focal point is on students and their goals. Provides assistance in developing practical, meaningful, and realistic insights into the nature of making a public career choice in today's world. Credit not awarded for both SPEA V352 and BUS X420.

V356 Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) P: BUS A201 or consent of instructor. This course covers concepts and processes of nonprofit accounting and financial reporting, with exploration of differences between for-profit, governmental, and nonprofit systems. Examples will be drawn from health organizations, welfare agencies, charities, and educational institutions.

V361 Financial Management (3 cr.) This course introduces students to accounting, financial management techniques, and financial reporting. Topics include accounting such as debit/credit sheets and balance sheets, financial indicators, fund balances, fringe benefits and pensions, and payroll management.

V362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership (3 cr.) Students in this course examine the management practices of nonprofit organizations. The course encourages students to take the perspectives of nonprofit managers, volunteers, board members, policy-makers, donors, and clients. Course projects expand understanding of the nonprofit sector and develop students' management skills, analytical tools, and knowledge.

V365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.) P: SPEA K300 and SPEA V264. This course identifies the major problems associated with urban development in the United States, and investigates the potential of public planning strategies and tools to deal with these problems. An emphasis is placed on the application of analytical approaches to problem definition and solution.

V366 Managing Behavior in Public Organizations (3 cr.) This course provides an introduction to the management of people in public organizations. Focus is on behavioral science in management and related analytical and experiential applications.

V368 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.) P: SPEAV348. Application of analytical techniques to operating decisions in the public management sector. Cases are used extensively to illustrate the application of techniques (such as charting, capacity and demand analysis, forecasting, performance measurement, decision analysis, queuing/ simulation, Markov modeling, and cost-effective analysis) to design, scheduling, inventory assignment, transportation, and replacement decisions.

V369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.) Analysis and application of information technology to problem solving.

V370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) P: SPEA K300 or equivalent. This course will introduce the student to the basic methods, issues, analytical techniques, and ethical considerations of evaluation research.

V371 Financing Public Affairs (3 cr.) P: SPEA V160 or V170, ECON E201, E202. A survey of economic and political theories of market failures, public expenditure evaluation, economic stabilization, systems of redistribution, and fiscal federalism. Examples and applications to contemporary government decisions.

V372 Government Finance and Budgets (3 cr.) Study of fiscal management in public agencies, including revenue administration, debt management, and public budgeting.

V373 Human Resources Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.) The organization and operation of public personnel management systems, with emphasis on concepts and techniques of job analysis, position classification, training, affirmative action, and motivation.

V375 Emergency Services Administration (3 cr.) An overview of management principles and functional components of EMS systems.

V376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the origins, process, and impact of law in the making and implementing of public policy. The course's major objective is to provide students with the substantive concepts necessary to understand the judicial system and law in its various forms.

V377 Legal Process and Contemporary Issues in America (3 cr.) P: SPEA V376. An introduction to the U.S. legal system, including the Constitution, courts system, and administrative law in federal and state agencies. Readings and discussion center around current issues affected by the legal process.

V380 Internship in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-6 cr.) P: permission of instructor. Open to interested students upon approval of the faculty. Students are placed with public agencies or governmental units for assignment to a defined task relevant to their educational interests in public affairs. Tasks may involve staff work or research. Full-time participants may earn up to 6 credit hours. May be repeated for credit. Course is graded S/F (Satisfactory/Fail).

V381 Professional Experience (1-6 cr.) Students will be required to fulfill a minimum of 120 hours of professional relevant work.

V386 Case Studies for Policy Analysis (3 cr.) This course focuses on analyzing case studies of public policies using a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including application of the principles and concepts of intermediate microeconomic theory.

V388 American Humanics Internship (3-6 cr.) American Humanics, Inc. requires an internship of 300 to 600 contact hours. A minimum of 3 credit hours is required. Credits will be given at the rate of 1 hour = 100 internship hours. Permission of the American Humanics Campus Director is required.

V390 Readings in Public and Environmental Affairs (0-3 cr.) P: permission of instructor. Independent readings and research related to a topic of special interest to the student. Written report required. May be repeated for credit.

V391 Honors Readings in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-3 cr.) P: approval of instructor and SPEA honors advisor. Restricted to students in SPEA Honors Program. May be repeated for credit.

V401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) This course familiarizes students with the principles of financial analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and Kaldor/Hicks accounting. Topics include net present value calculation; net annual worth; public and private decision criteria; and market data adjustment for taxes, rents, and other market distortions.

V405 Public Law and the Legislative Process (3 cr.) This course focuses on Congress as a policy-making body in the U.S. public law system. It covers the constitutional framework for congressional operations, as well as technical aspects of the legislative process such as bill drafting and analysis, the role of leadership, and the prerogatives of individual members.

V406 Public Law and the Electoral Process (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to facilitate understanding of the interaction of electoral politics and policy. It covers the legal framework of the evolution of the "right" to vote, the impact of the judiciary on the structure of elections, limitations on campaign practices, and the importance of legislative districting and its control.

V407 Public Law and Government Relations (3 cr.) The purpose of this course is to build understanding of government relations work as applied to careers in the field. It covers the historical evolution of the constitutional right to petition the government with an understanding of the limitations imposed upon the process. The interaction of public and private sectors is included.

V421 Metropolitan Development (3 cr.) Discussion of the process of development in metropolitan regions. Includes topics such as economic development, land use evolution, and demographic change. Consideration of relevant policy issues.

V422 Transportation Policy Analysis (3 cr.) This course examines current issues in transportation to identify the key analytic and management issues that must be considered in developing effective public policy. Particular emphasis will be placed on examining the rationale for and actual impact of existing government policies, and on analyzing the likely impacts of policy alternatives.

V432 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 cr.) An introductory overview of labor relations in the public sector. Course includes the development, practice, and extent of the collective bargaining process and administration of the labor agreement by state and local governments.

V435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (1-4 cr.) This course introduces students to the theories and techniques of alternative dispute resolution. The course covers interest-based negotiation, mediation, arbitration, fact-finding, early neutral evaluation, and other techniques used in business, labor relations, environmental disputes, family relations, and international affairs.

V436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) This course will develop an appreciation regarding the critical nature of communication by managers in the public and nonprofit sector. It will introduce students to the skills critical for effective communication as professionals.

V441 Topics in Financial Management and Policy (3 cr.) P: SPEA V372. Various topics focusing on financial management and policy are examined in state and local settings. May be repeated for credit.

V442 Topics in Budgeting or Cost-Benefit (3 cr.) P: SPEA V372. Various topics in budgeting or cost-benefit analysis are examined. Course may be repeated for different topics.

V443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3 cr.) The composition and nature of the workforce is changing. Managers must decide how to accommodate real differences among the members of their organizations. This course seeks to provide information for practitioners who hope to integrate an understanding of workforce diversity into their management style and professional behavior.

V444 Public Administrative Organization (3 cr.) A review of research findings and analysis of the operation of public agencies and their performance.

V447 Federal Budget Policy (3 cr.) Examination of the institutions and processes involved in putting together the annual federal budget, with emphasis on the role of the Appropriations and Budget Committees in Congress and on the White House, and the Office of Management and Budget in the executive branch. Selected major policy areas will be considered.

V449 Policy Senior Seminar (3 cr.) P: SPEA V348. Discussion of the role of policy analysts in government. Applications of analytical tools to substantive policy areas such as transportation, community development, education, poverty, manpower, and health.

V450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) Extensive analysis of selected contemporary issues in public affairs. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

V451 Social Policy and the Aging (3 cr.) A focused examination of government and the elderly. Public policy and administration of income, health, housing, employment, and social service programs, as well as analysis of the context of aging policy.

V456 Topics in Public Law (3 cr.) Extensive analysis of selected contemporary issues in public law. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.

V457 Management Science in the Public Sector (3 cr.) P: CSCI C211, SPEA K300, and SPEAV348. An intermediate treatment of management science methods, with primary application to public managerial decision support. Topics include network analysis, queuing, simulation, and others. Computer-based analysis is emphasized.

V458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) Course builds an understanding of the practice, philosophy, law, and theory of fundraising. Students establish an organization's value base and mission, prepare funding appeals, evaluate readiness for a campaign, assess funding sources, implement fundraising vehicles, evaluate effectiveness, and discuss stewardship of contributions.

V460 Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations, and Management (3 cr.) Overview of the dynamics of multiorganizational governance in the United States. Examination of federal and other systems. Structure and operations of intergovernmental programs and the role of managers within these systems.

V461 Computer Applications in Public Affairs (3 cr.) P: BUS K201. This course is designed to provide students with the essentials of computer hardware and software needed to operate effectively in a public sector environment. The course will emphasize public sector applications using software packages or microcomputers and minicomputers.

V462 Community Development (3 cr.) The process and outcomes of local citizen-based efforts to improve social, economic, and cultural conditions. Interaction of public and nonprofit sectors in community revitalization. Experiences, cases, and problems involving both rural and urban settings.

V463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (1-4 cr.) Key interpersonal skills will be modeled through a variety of media and experiences. Students will practice these skills and receive feedback. Students will be expected to participate in structured experiences designed to give them insight into their behavior and how it will affect their ability to achieve personal and professional objectives.

V465 Geographic Information Systems for Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.) P: SPEA V261 and V369. Students will learn the concepts, methodologies, and perspectives essential for using geographic information systems (GIS) to address critical public affairs issues. Through course projects, students will learn how to use desktop and Internet-based GIS applications, and will develop complementary skills related to designing and implementing GIS applications for public-sector organizations.

V470 Community Development Workshop (3 cr.) This course will be conducted as an undergraduate research workshop. The focus will be on community development problems, such as long-range planning, the delivery of government services, or local economic development. The research topic of the course will change each year, and will be announced the previous semester.

V471 Urban Management Systems (3 cr.) P: SPEA V348 and senior standing. This course is designed to extend the student's skill in applying a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to the problems of urban government planning and management.

V472 Policy Processes in the United States (3 cr.) P: senior standing. Intended as an integrative senior course, primarily for SPEA students. Course content includes analytical perspectives of the policy process, the centers of policy, and the public interest. Selected cases involving problem analysis and decision making on public issues are included, as well as discussion of current policy issues.

V473 Management Applications Seminar (3 cr.) The purpose of this seminar is to provide students with an opportunity to apply the techniques they have learned to an actual situation. Special attention will be paid to feasible as contrasted with desirable solutions. Emphasis will be given to the contextual factors involved in developing feasible solutions.

V475 Database Management Systems (3 cr.) P: SPEA V261, V369, or equivalent. Students learn contemporary theories and methodologies regarding design, use, and management of database systems among public-sector organizations. The course provides hands-on experience with tools such as entity-relationship diagrams, query languages, database management software; and an understanding of critical database management issues such as security, backup, and recovery.

V490 Directed Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (0-3 cr.) To be arranged with the individual instructor and approved by the chairperson of the undergraduate program. May be repeated for credit.

V491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-3 cr.) P: approval of instructor and SPEA honors advisor. Restricted to students in the SPEA Honors Program. May be repeated for credit.

V499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.) Required of seniors in the Honors Program. Research and paper to be arranged with individual instructor and approved by the campus SPEA Honors Program director. May be repeated for credit.

Return to Top





Indiana University
Office of Creative Services
Von Lee 319
517 East Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47408-4060

Last updated: 29 March 2024 07 20 26

Submit Questions or Comments
Copyright 2024 The Trustees of Indiana University