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O'Neill School Of Public and Environmental Affairs

Courses

The notations list prerequisites, recommended prerequisites and corequisites. The abbreviation P refers to course prerequisites and recommended refers to courses listed as recommended prerequisites. Prerequisites can be waived by the instructor of the course. The number of hours of credits is indicated in parentheses following the course title. Courses are listed in four groups: criminal justice and public safety (J), environmental (E) and public affairs (V and K).

Undergraduate Courses
Criminal Justice Courses
  • SPEA-J 101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.) Introduction to the criminal justice system of the United States and its function in contemporary society.
  • SPEA-J 150 Public Safety in America (3 cr.) The protection of persons and property involves a number of public and private organizations. This course examines the roles that agencies working within the fire services, emergency management, criminal justice, and the private security sector play in securing public safety in the United States.
  • SPEA-J 201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 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.
  • SPEA-J 202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 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.
  • SPEA-J 203 Evidence (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. 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, process.
  • SPEA-J 204 Animal Welfare, Law and Policy (3 cr.) A discussion of the institutionalized use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment and research. We will consider sustainability, the role of nonprofits, private sector and government; speciesism; sentience, animal welfare versus animal rights; animal abuse and violence; animals and the law and public policy. History of the animal protection movement.
  • SPEA-J 205 Juvenile Justice (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended prerequisite: SPEA-J 201 and J 202 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.
  • SPEA-J 206 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended prerequisite: SPEA-J 201 and J 202 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.
  • SPEA-J 215 Concepts of Forensic Science (3 cr.) Forensic science and the criminal justice system. Evidence collection and analysis. Forensic chemistry including drugs and trace evidence; biology including blood spatter and DNA; pathology; entomology; anthropology; and forensic science and the law. Please note that students taking this course cannot also receive credit for SPEA-J 322.
  • SPEA-J 220 Criminal Investigation (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended prerequisite: SPEA-J 201 and J 202 Theory of investigation, crime scene procedures, interviews, interrogations, surveillances, and sources of information; collection and preservation of physical evidence; investigative techniques in specific crimes.
  • SPEA-J 221 American Policing (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended prerequisite: SPEA-J 201 and J 202 This course will examine the history, evolution, and organization of policing in the United States. Emphasis is placed on such major contemp-orary issues as the police role, discretion, use of force, corruption, accountability, and community policing.
  • SPEA-J 222 Murder in America: Causes and Consequences (3 cr.) An investigation of homicide in the United States. Focus on the level and nature of homicides as well as domestic homicides; serial and mass murder; race, ethnicity, and gender; drugs and alcohol; school and workplace homicides; investigation; profiling and the death penalty; and homicide prevention and intervention programs.
  • SPEA-J 231 Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended prerequisite: SPEA-J 201 and J 202 This course examines the historical development of the American correctional system and 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.An investigation of homicide in the United States. Focus on the level and nature of homicides as well as domestic homicides; serial and mass murder; race, ethnicity, and gender; drugs and alcohol; school and workplace homicides; investigation; profiling and the death penalty; and homicide prevention and intervention programs.
  • SPEA-J 232 Investigating Post-Blast Crime Scenes (3 cr.) This course is designed to provide the student with the fundamental knowledge and techniques used by bomb squads in identifying and collecting post-blast evidence for purposes of future prosecution. No
  • SPEA-J 238 Introduction to Modern Police Practices (3 cr.)

    This course will cover the day-to-day operational duties and responsibilities of a police officer in todays society. Current trends, challenges facing law enforcement, and best practices will be introduced. Students will also participate in hands on exercises in a variety of law enforcement related topics.

  • SPEA-J 255 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended prerequisite: SPEA-J 201 and J 202 The development, limitations, and application of substantive criminal law utilizing the case-study method.
  • SPEA-J 260 Topics in Criminal Justice (1-3 cr.) Study of selected issues in criminal justice. Topics vary from semester to semester. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-J 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.) This course surveys terrorism in democratic societies, with an emphasis on public policy responses designed to combat terrorism. Overviews of terrorist organizations in various countries are interspersed with analyses of significant terrorist events and public policies, and legal and public safety responses the events create.
  • SPEA-J 275 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. This course will examine the influence of diversity issues such as race, ethnicity, class, and gender on crime and the treatment of underrepresented groups thoughout the American criminal justice system.
  • SPEA-J 280 Internship in Criminal Justice (0-6 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. Open to interested students who qualify upon approval of the faculty. Students may be placed with various criminal justice agencies for assignment to a defined task relevant to their educational interests. Tasks may involve staff work or research. Full-time participants may earn up to 6 credit hours. Course is graded S/F (Satisfactory/Fail). This course may be repeated for credit. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-J 301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. The development, limitations, and application of substantive criminal law utilizing the case-study method.
  • SPEA-J 302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. Criminal law application and procedure from the initiation of police activity through the correctional process, utilizing the case-study method.
  • SPEA-J 303 Evidence (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. 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, process.
  • SPEA-J 304 Correctional Law (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. Legal problems from conviction to release: pre-sentence investigations, sentencing, probation and parole, incarceration, loss and restoration of civil rights.
  • SPEA-J 305 Juvenile Justice (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. 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.
  • SPEA-J 306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201, SPEA-J 202. 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.
  • SPEA-J 311 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Students will examine development, limitations, and application of substantive criminal law, and how criminal laws are balanced against Constitutional rights of individuals. Examine the process of cases from commission of crime through trial and sentencing, including suppression hearings, jurisdiction, and burdens of proof, and scope of modern day criminal law. No
  • SPEA-J 312 White Collar Crime (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. White collar crime is an examination of the definitions, theories, laws, and policy responses that shape crimes by corporations, government agencies, professionals, and others engaged in legitimate occupations.
  • SPEA-J 320 Criminal Investigation (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. Theory of investigation, crime scene procedures, interviews, interrogations, surveillances, and sources of information; collection and preservation of physical evidence; investigative techniques in specific crimes.
  • SPEA-J 321 American Policing (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201, J 202. This course will examine the history, evolution, and organization of policing in the United States. Emphasis is placed on such major contemp-orary issues as the police role, discretion, use of force, corruption, accountability, and community policing.
  • SPEA-J 322 Introduction to Criminalistics (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201 and SPEA-J 202. The broad range of physical evidence developed through the investigative process, and methods of identifying and establishing validity and relevance through forensic laboratory techniques.
  • SPEA-J 324 Technology, Crime, and Public Safety (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 or SPEA-J 150 Focuses on role of technological systems in criminal justice, system types available, evolving applications, usages by public safety organizations, technology use by criminals and terrorists, the management and organizational effects of technologies, training, cost issues, anticipated impacts of technologies, and the political and legal implications for citizens and the public.
  • SPEA-J 327 Applied Research Experience (0-6 cr.) P: SPEA-J 370 or SPEA-J 202 or permission of instructor Students conduct applied research on a government organization, nonprofit organization, or social issue relevant to their educational or professional interests in which the instructor provides substantive mentorship. This course is eligible for a deferred grade. Course may be repeated for credit. Yes
  • SPEA-J 331 Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Recommended: SPEA-J 201, SPEA-J 202. This course examines the historical development of the American correctional system and 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.
  • SPEA-J 369 Private Justice: Police, Courts, and Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. 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, current issues in privatization.
  • SPEA-J 370 Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. Selected contemporary topics in criminal justice. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-J 327 Applied Research Experience (0-6 cr.) P: SPEA-J 370 or SPEA-J 202 or permission of instructor Students conduct applied research on a government organization, nonprofit organization, or social issue relevant to their educational or professional interests in which the instructor provides substantive mentorship. This course is eligible for a deferred grade. Course may be repeated for credit. Yes
  • SPEA-J 376 Principles of Public Safety (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 and SPEA-J 150. Examination of threats to public safety and of governmental response at various levels to those threats. Treatment of such areas 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.
  • SPEA-J 380 Internship in Criminal Justice (0-6 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 a defined task relevant to their educational interests. Tasks may involve staff work or research. Full-time participants may earn up to 6 credit hours. Course is graded S/F (Satisfactory/Fail). This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-J 381 Internship in Criminal Justice (1-6 cr.) P: Permission of instructor. Students will be required to fulfill a minimum of 120 hours of relevant professional work experience.
  • SPEA-J 382 Foundations of Emergency Management (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 and J 150

    A history of emergency management and the four phases-mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. An examination of the concepts of hazard, risk and vulnerability and the history, current issues, alternative career paths, roles of local, state, and federal governments in emergency management, and the future outlook of emergency management.

  • SPEA-J 387 Foundations of Homeland Security (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 and SPEA-J 150. Examination of the theory and research driving homeland security and emergency management measures and an analytical look at the practices and principles of homeland security from an empirical perspective.
  • SPEA-J 426 Mapping & Analysis-Public Safety (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101 or SPEA-J 150. The use of the geographic information systems to map locations of events and analyze patterns for decision making in areas of public safety including criminal justice, fire services, emergency management, and homeland security.
  • SPEA-J 429 Public Safety Management and Leadership (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101, SPEA-J 150, SPEA-J 202, SPEA-K 300, SPEA-J 376, SPEA-J 382, SPEA-J 387. This capstone course is designed to examine the major public management principles, policy concerns, and leadership theories learned in an undergraduate management curriculum as they relate to how public safety is achieved in the field and in the policy making arena.
  • SPEA-J 433 Institutional Corrections (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. The history and development of the jail, penitentiary, prison, and reformatory. Analysis and evaluation of contemporary imprisonment.
  • SPEA-J 439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101, SPEA-J 201, SPEA-J 202 and SPEA-K 300. 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.
  • SPEA-J 440 Corrections in the Community (3 cr.) P: SPEA-J 101. 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.
  • SPEA-J 470 Seminar in Criminal Justice (1-3 cr.) P: Senior Standing. Emphasizes current developments in legal, administrative, and operational aspects of the criminal justice system.
  • SPEA-J 480 Research in Criminal Justice (1-6 cr.) P: Junior standing and consent of instructor. Individual research under guidance of faculty member. This course may be repeated for credit.
Public Affairs Courses
  • SPEA-E 476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.) Learn about U.S. environmental law, including key statues and course decisions.  Study pollution, hazardous waste, toxins, and environmental impact statements.
  • SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) P: MATH 11000/11100 or equivalent. 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-E 270, PSY-B 305, SOC-R 359, STAT 30100.
  • SPEA-K 301 Statistics Laboratory (1 cr.) C: SPEA-K 300. This course is an optional 1 credit hour module to accompany SPEA-K 300 and must be taken concurrently with SPEA-K 300. The course focuses on application of techniques being taught in SPEA-K 300. The course will allow students to obtain tutoring with specific problems. SPEA-K 301 sessions will be linked with SPEA-K 300 lectures.
  • SPEA-V 100 Current Topics in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) Readings and discussion of current public issues and problems. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 170 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 SPEA-V 160 and SPEA-V 170.
  • SPEA-V 204 Animal Welfare, Law and Policy (3 cr.) A discussion of the institutionalized use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment and research. We will consider sustainability, the role of nonprofits, private sector and government; speciesism; sentience, animal welfare versus animal rights; animal abuse and violence; animals and the law and public policy. History of the animal protection movement.
  • SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.) This course provides a broad overview of the United States 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.
  • SPEA-V 222 Principles of Sustainability (3 cr.) Meeting the needs of the present without jeopardizing the future involves an interrelationship between environmental, social, and economic systems. This course introduces and investigates the interrelationships between these approaches to synthesize a basic understanding that can lead to sustainable policies in the public, nonprofit and for-profit sectors.
  • SPEA-V 252 Career Development and Planning (1-3 cr.) Course highlights include: identification of work values and personality preference, a career research assignment, networking assignments designed to prepare students for contact with employers, in-depth tutorial and feedback concerning how to craft a marketable resume and cover letter, and development of an overall career development plan.
  • SPEA-V 260 Topics in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) Study of selected issues in public affairs. Topics vary from semester to semester. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 261 Using IT in Public Affairs (3 cr.) Course explores IT and computing in public affairs. Topics include basic IT concepts, project proposals, network and infrastructure design, security, ethics, data and document management, cloud computing, and IT futures. Applications include using office suites, website development, and building spreadsheets and statistics, and databases. Recommend basic understanding of computer operations.
  • SPEA-V 263 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.
  • SPEA-V 264 Community Structures and Policy (3 cr.) An introduction to local and metropolitan issues and policies, highlighting the roles of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Topics include urban, suburban, and exurban government structure and cross-sector policy collaboration, the cultural and economic foundations and development of cities, demography of metropolitan areas, land-use planning, and other policy problems. Credit not given for both SPEA-V 161 and SPEA-V 264.
  • SPEA-V 265 Challenges in Social Policy (3-3 cr.) This course examines critical questions regarding equality, justice, fairness, equity and diversity in our communities. Students will explore these issues through examination of current topics and will engage with community leaders community working to challenge the status quo and ensure civic health and vitality. No
  • SPEA-V 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.) This course surveys terrorism in democratic societies, with an emphasis on public policy responses designed to combat terrorism. Overviews of terrorist organizations in various countries are interspersed with analyses of significant terrorist events and public policies, and legal and public safety responses the events create.
  • SPEA-V 280 Understanding Policy Making (3-3 cr.) This class will immerse students in the complexities and nuances of the policymaking through field trips, guest speakers, and formal student presentations of their own policy proposals. This class will foster career exploration and include networking opportunities with people directly involved in the policymaking process. No
  • SPEA-V 310 Environmental Justice (3 cr.) The study of disparate impact of environmental policies and practices on various population groups, both within the United States and internationally. This course includes studying the role of power, class, race and politics in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations.
  • SPEA-V 311 Natural Resources and Environmental Policy (3 cr.) This course develops the role of the public sector to develop environmental policy at the national, subnational, and international level. The political, environmental, and economic aspects of pollution and pollution control will be assessed.
  • SPEA-V 322 Sustainable Management (3 cr.) This course examines the role of management in public and nonprofit organizations. Special attention is given to the application of the principles of sustainability to management, methods for public and interest group participation, communication and conflict resolution, and evidence-based management designed to track organizational progress.
  • SPEA-V 323 Sustainable Policy (3 cr.) This course investigates the difficulties of incorporating long-term environmental, social, and economic concerns into policy proposals. The principles of sustainability are applied to policy considerations and existing policies are analyzed for their long-term impact.
  • SPEA-V 328 Applied Research Experience (0-6 cr.) P: SPEA-V 370 or SPEA-J 202 or permission of instructor Students conduct applied research on a government organization, nonprofit organization, or social issue relevant to their educational or professional interests in which the instructor provides substantive mentorship. Yes
  • SPEA-V 346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.) 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. Not open to students with more than 7 credit hours of accounting.
  • SPEA-V 348 Management Science (3 cr.) P: SPEA-K 300 and MATH-M 118 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 familiarity with computers is recommended, though not required.
  • SPEA-V 352 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-V 352 and BUS-X 420.
  • SPEA-V 356 Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) 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.
  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) This course introduces students to accounting, financial management techniques, and financial reporting. Topics include accounting, debit/credit sheets and balance sheets, financial indicators, fund balances, fringe benefits and pensions, and payroll management.
  • SPEA-V 362 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.
  • SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 264 and SPEA-K 300. 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.
  • SPEA-V 366 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.
  • SPEA-V 367 Project Planning and Management (3 cr.) This course offers an introduction to the basic concepts and methods for planning, directing and communicating about projects in public, private and nonprofit organizations. Class provides students with tools that prepare them for success as project managers by focusing on both technical as well as behavioral components of project management. No
  • SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 348. Application of analytical techniques to operating decisions in 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.
  • SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.) Analysis and application of information technology to problem solving.
  • SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) P: SPEA-K 300 or equivalent. This course will introduce the student to the basic methods, issues, analytical techniques, and ethical considerations of evaluation research.
  • SPEA-V 372 Government Finance and Budgets (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 170, ECON-E 201 Study of fiscal management in public agencies, including revenue administration, debt management, and public budgeting.
  • SPEA-V 373 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.
  • SPEA-V 375 Emergency Services Administration (3 cr.) An overview of management principles and functional components of EMS systems.
  • SPEA-V 376 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.
  • SPEA-V 378 Federal Government Processes (3 cr.) In this course, through detailed examination of the legislative process, the budget process and the regulatory process, students will explore Federal Government processes and how they aid and hinder programmatic implementation. The skills and knowledge discussed in this class help students understand the inner workings of the Federal Government.
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.) This course provides an overview of program evaluation as it relates to public affairs, criminal justice, health policy, and environmental science, with particular emphasis on measuring program outcomes. The course is designed for students who envision themselves working in management, policy making, or research roles.
  • SPEA-V 380 Internship in Public and Environmental Affairs (0-6 cr.) P: Consent 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. Course is graded S/F. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 381 Professional Experience (1-6 cr.) Students will be required to fulfill a minimum of 120 hours of relevant professional work.
  • SPEA-V 382 Political Action and Civic Engagement (3 cr.) Examines citizen efforts to effect social change, with an emphasis upon political movements and parties as mechanisms for achieving that change.
  • SPEA-V 390 Readings in Public and Environmental Affairs (0-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor Independent readings and research related to a topic of special interest to the student. Written report required. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 391 Honors Readings in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor and honors advisor. Restricted to students in SPEA Honors Program. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 408 Individual Rights, Common Goods and Public Policies (3 cr.) Considers the tension between individual and majoritarian rights in our constitutional system, and the effects of that tension on the formulation of public policy.
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3 cr.) This course is designed to examine the complex leadership issues and challenges facing communities and explore how citizens and government can work together to address these challenges. This includes exploration of how the problems, conflicts, and dilemmas encountered by leaders when making decisions must be considered within an ethical framework.
  • SPEA-V 419 Sustainable Community Development (3 cr.) This course examines the challenges of achieving sustainable community development and explores how community planning, zoning, regulation, legislation, economic policy, transportation strategy, energy policy, and stakeholder engagement can work together to minimize long-term costs and maximize long-term benefits to a community's ecosystem, economy, culture, and public health.
  • SPEA-V 421 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.
  • SPEA-V 423 Sustainable Urban Environments (3 cr.) An introduction to the policy issues facing urban government in creating sustainable policies. The course investigates the social, fiscal, economic, physical, and political aspects of sustainable policies applied to the urban setting.
  • SPEA-V 432 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.
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 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.
  • SPEA-V 436 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 to effective communication as professionals.
  • SPEA-V 438 Mass Media and Public Affairs (3 cr.) Course will analyze the role of the media in the formation of public policy, including the responsibility of journalists, legal and ethical constraints, business pressures and their effects, impact of technology, and similar issues.
  • SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3 cr.) The composition and nature of the work force 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.
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) Extensive analysis of selected contemporary issues in public affairs. Topics vary from semester to semester. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 458 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.
  • SPEA-V 461 Computer Applications in Public Affairs (3 cr.) P: BUS-K 201. 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.
  • SPEA-V 465 Geographic Information Systems for Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 261 and SPEA-V 369. 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.
  • SPEA-V 473 Management, Leadership, and Policy (3 cr.) P: SPEA-K 300 and SPEA-V 370. This course seeks to integrate learning across the public affairs curriculum. Students will review and reflect about their learning in management, leadership, and policy. Experiential methods--service learning, projects, cases, and exercises--will be used to help students apply theory, concepts, and skills.
  • SPEA-V 490 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. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor and honors advisor. Restricted to students in the SPEA Honors Program. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor and honors advisor. Research and paper to be arranged with individual instructor and approved by the campus SPEA Honors Program director. This course may be repeated for credit.
Graduate Courses
Criminal Justice Courses
  • SPEA-J 501 Evolution of Criminological Thought and Policy (3 cr.) This course provides an intensive introduction to the theoretical literature on crime and delinquency. Its purpose is to develop students' ability to critically evaluate and compare theories of crime as they apply to public policy and the criminal justice system.
  • SPEA-J 502 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Affairs (3 cr.) This course examines research techniques necessary for systematic analysis of the criminal justice system, offenders' behavior, crime trends, and program effectiveness. The course requires that students actively pursue such techniques as conducting interviews, coding data, and designing studies.
  • SPEA-J 503 Crime Analysis (3 cr.) Examines patterns of criminal behavior including the environmental, situational, temporal, and spatial characteristics of crime and crime types. Techniques and examples used in tactical, strategic and administrative crime analysis are evaluated. Students learn to present, interpret, and assess local and national crime statistics.  
  • SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.) The use of geographic information systems to map locations of events and analyze patterns for decision making and facility location in areas of public safety including criminal justice, fire services, emergency management and homeland security; and the management and application of those systems.
  • SPEA-J 524 Emergency Management (3 cr.) This course explores the values underlying effective emergency management principles and policies in a democratic society. Topics include: hazard identification, effective planning, stakeholder and public communication, examination of federal, state, and local agency roles and critical partnerships, preparation for, mitigation of, and response to hazards.
  • SPEA-J 528 Risk Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.) An examination of theoretical foundations of risk analysis including the history of risk analysis, risk assessment, perception and communications; models for decision making, techniques for generating alternative courses of action and definitions of risk and opportunity within a context of local, state and federal regulatory guidelines, media and social context.
  • SPEA-J 531 National and Homeland Security in America (3 cr.) This course addresses federal policy and management issues related to preventing, mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from major catastrophic events; both natural and man-made, including acts of terrorism. Topics include emergency management, resource and response infrastructures, public health issues, best practices, crisis communications, and business and governmental continuity.
  • SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice (1-3 cr.) Selected research and special topics in criminal justice and public safety. Repeatable.
  • SPEA-J 580 Readings in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Readings and research on selected topics in criminal justice and public safety.
  • SPEA-J 581 Public Safety Law (3 cr.) Survey of the historical development of Anglo-Amercian law of public safety, including criminal law, civil remedies, administrative regulation of risk, and recent developments in employee and consumer safety. Emphasis on understanding legal theory and practice as basis for management decisions. Comparison of jurisprundential viewpoints and other disciplinary approaches to public safety programs.
  • SPEA-J 582 Criminal Justice Systems (3 cr.) Detailed examination of operations of police, courts, and correctional agencies. Study of management problems in system response to criminal activity. Development of understanding of relationships among system components. Examination of major policy issues in criminal justice, with emphasis on decision-making techniques.
  • SPEA-J 585 Practicum in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (1-6 cr.) Students hold work assignments with public agencies. Grading is on an S/F basis.
  • SPEA-J 586 Public Safety in the U.S. (3 cr.) Overview of criminal justice and public safety. Definitions of public safety and identification of major components. Functional description of major public safety agencies. Discussion of basic issues in public safety. Management in public safety system.
  • SPEA-J 587 Criminal Violation: Problems and Characteristics (3 cr.) Commonalities in criminal behavior. Circumstances leading to the commission of the criminal act, subsequent perceptions of them. Family, community, and other environments affecting criminal behavior. Behavioral consequences of processes of crime control.
  • SPEA-J 588 Law and Control in Society (3 cr.) The role of law versus other forms of social control. How social change and social institutions shape the law. Social factors influencing the administration of law.
  • SPEA-J 590 Research in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (1-6 cr.) Research on selected topics in criminal justice.
  • SPEA-J 599 Thesis Research (1-6 cr.) Research under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty leading to a Masters Thesis. This course is eligible for a deferred grade. Course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-J 600 Capstone in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.) Course is designed to expose students to the realities of the policy process in criminal justice and public safety through detailed analyses of case studies and projects.
  • SPEA-J 666 Criminal Justice and Public Safety Policy Evaluation (3 cr.) An empirical assessment of the foundations of contemporary and historical attempts to control or prevent crime. Major policies, programs, and strategies are reviewed and critically analyzed. Specific topics and policies will vary in this capstone seminar.
  • SPEA-J 682 Planning and Management for Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.) Methods and procedures involved in criminal justice and public safety planning and management. Administration and implementation of public policies in policing, courts, corrections, emergency management and homeland security. Organization, decision making, evaluation and human resource issues of public policy.
Environmental Science Courses
  • SPEA-E 511 Sustainability Assessment (3 cr.) P: SPEA-E 538, SPEA-V 506 or equivalent.

    There has been a proliferation of various metrics that measure the sustainability of products, services, buildings, and institutions.   Three are developed: life cycle analysis (IS014040), the USGBC's LEED certification, and the AASHE's STARS metric. Various uses of these metrics to design products, certify performances, and improve outcomes will be evaluated.  

  • SPEA-E 529 Application of Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.) Conceptual and technical overview of geographic information systems (GIS). Applications in various fields of public affairs and environmental science.
  • SPEA-E 560 Environmental Risk Analysis (3 cr.) P: SPEA-E 538, V 506 or consent of instructor Methods of probabilistic risk analysis applied to environmental situations. Event trees, fault trees, toxicological estimation, ecological risk analysis. Social and psychological aspects of risk. Individual and group projects assessing some real environmental risk are an important part of the course.
Public Affairs Courses
  • SPEA-V 502 Public Management (3 cr.) Analysis of concepts, methods, and procedures involved in managing public organizations. Problems of organization, planning, decision making, performance evaluation, and management of human resources are considered. Cases are drawn from a variety of public services found at federal, state, and local levels of government.
  • SPEA-V 504 Public Organizations (1-3 cr.) This course focuses on the behavior and theory of public organizations in four areas: (1) individuals and groups in public organizations, (2) the design of public organizations, (3) organization-environment relations, and (4) interorganizational relations.
  • SPEA-V 506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (3 cr.) Noncalculus survey of concepts in probability, estimation, and hypothesis testing. Applications of contingency table analysis and analysis of variance, regression, and other statistical techniques. Computer processing of data emphasized.
  • SPEA-V 507 Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs (3 cr.) P: SPEA-E 538 or SPEA-V 506. Focus on analytical models and their use in solving problems and making decisions in the public sector. Discussion of standard approaches to modeling and estimation of parameters.
  • SPEA-V 509 Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector (3 cr.) Ethical conduct in the public sector is examined. Topics covered could include personal ethical responsibility, deception, corruption, codes of ethics, policymaking, morality, politics, and whistle blowing. Case studies and media material will be used to illustrate these and other such issues affecting the workplace.
  • SPEA-V 510 Advocacy and Government Relations (3 cr.)

    This course concerns the advocacy as practiced by public and nonprofit organizations. Advocacy includes a broad range of activities which attempt to influence a specific policy, legislative, regulatory or implementation outcome.  Advocacy also can include efforts to influence private behavior or encourage individual action. 

  • SPEA-V 511 Collaborative Governance (3 cr.)

    This course focuses on the interaction between the public, private, and non-profit sector to achieve consensus in decision making to influence federal, state, and local policies. The courses conveys theoretical and practical aspects of multi-sector collaboration to achieve more effective outcomes that each sector could individually conceive. 

  • SPEA-V 512 Public Policy Process (1-3 cr.) An examination of the role of public affairs professionals in policy processes. Focuses on relationships with political actors in various policy areas.
  • SPEA-V 513 Managing Change and Organizational Development (3 cr.)

    This course provides an overview of theory and practice of organizational change. A particular focus hereby lies on organizational responses to the external environment as well as individual responses to organizational change.

  • SPEA-V 514 Seminar in Arts and Cultural Management (3 cr.)

    This course provides a survey of major themes in arts and cultural management. This includes an exploration of the boundaries of “arts” and “culture” in society and policy as well as the challenges and opportunities for arts and cultural leaders to create and sustain social value.

     

  • SPEA-V 515 Sustainable Communities (3 cr.) Course explores proactive strategies for moving communities toward economic, social and environmental sustainability. Through case studies, projects, tours, and visiting professionals the new thinking in community design, from individual green buildings to regional scales of transportation, land use, commerce, natural systems restoration, waste, food, water, and energy is developed.
  • SPEA-V 516 Public Management Information Systems (3 cr.) This course focuses on the application of information systems concepts and tools to challenges and opportunities in the public sector. Topics covered will include current trends in information systems; managerial use of information systems; hardware, software, and telecommunications; systems development processes and practices; and strategic and policy issues in information systems.
  • SPEA-V 517 Public Management Economics (3 cr.) This course focuses on applications of the principles and concepts of intermediate microeconomic theory and managerial economics to public sector management decisions and policy analysis. The course utilizes case studies to give students opportunities to recognize the economic dimensions inherent in the public policy problems and to develop an analytical problem-solving orientation.
  • SPEA-V 519 Seminar in Environmental Policy and Sustainability (3 cr.)

    The seminar focuses on the decision making of societies with respect to environmental and natural resource issues. Current topics surrounding energy, environmental justice, climate change, and pollution will be covered in a setting focusing heavily on discussions and presentations. Interactions between society, economics, and the environmental sphere are highlighted.

     

  • SPEA-V 520 Environmental Policy Analysis (3 cr.) The interrelationships among social, technical, and natural systems. Theories of growth. Causes and implications of environmental problems. Alternative policies and mechanisms for environmental control and bases for choice.
  • SPEA-V 521 The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.) Same as PHST-P 521. The theory, size, scope, and functions of the nonprofit and voluntary sector are covered from multiple disciplinary perspectives including historical, political, economic, and social.
  • SPEA-V 522 Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) This course provides an overview of the human resource management areas necessary for the productive functioning of nonprofit organizations. Theories of motivation applicable to the management of staff and volunteers and personnel topics of recruitment, selection, board-staff relations, compensation, training, and development are covered.
  • SPEA-V 523 Civil Society and Public Policy (3 cr.) Exploration of interaction of public policy and nonprofit organizations, drawing on history, political theory, and social science. Includes examination of regulations and taxation. Depending on instructor’s interests, course covers nonprofit role in selected policy arenas (such as environment and poverty) and industries (such as international development and health care).
  • SPEA-V 524 Civil Society in Comparative Perspective (3 cr.) An exploration of state-society relationships in a variety of regimes and time periods. Focuses on ways regimes' policies affect the existence and contribution of those nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations that stand between the individual and the state and how nonprofit organizations shape the policy agenda of a regime.
  • SPEA-V 525 Management in the Nonprofit Sector (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 521 or PHST-P 521. An examination of nonprofit organizations and their role in society. Management issues and public policy affecting these organizations are discussed. Primary emphasis is on U.S. organizations, but attention is given to the global nature of the sector.
  • SPEA-V 526 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) This course emphasizes a thorough understanding of the language and key concepts of nonprofit financial management. A working knowledge of the basic analytical tools used in financial decision making for nonprofit organizations will be examined through the use of computer software.
  • SPEA-V 527 Urban Sustainability (3 cr.) This course is an introduction to urban government and policy issues within the context of sustainability. Specifically, the course introduces social, fiscal, economic, physical, and political aspects of sustainable policy in urban areas.
  • SPEA-V 528 Energy, Policy, and Sustainability (3 cr.) This course is designed to investigate the origins of U.S. and Indiana energy policies, and apply the concept of sustainability to the analysis of past and current energy policies, as well as the development and adoption of future energy policy alternatives.
  • SPEA-V 529 Seminar in Career and Professional Development (1 cr.) Introduction to career development in public and environmental affairs. Orientation to career development approaches and resources. Discussion and practice of professional skills and techniques. Orientation to career development opportunities. Grading is on an S/F basis.
  • SPEA-V 531 Urban Planning and Placemaking (3 cr.)

    This course covers the creation and management of public spaces as well as aspects of urban planning. Students will be exposed to selected topics of importance in urban/local management including service delivery and sustainability, and methods for improving urban spaces through understanding the relationships between people and spaces.

  • SPEA-V 539 Management Science for Public Affairs (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 506. Focuses on management science methods as applied to public affairs. Includes treatment of decision theory, constrained optimization, and probability simulation.
  • SPEA-V 540 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.) Explanation of law in society and its influence on public sector operations. Examination of some of the central substantive areas of the study of law, including regulatory processes, administrative adjudication, the Administrative Procedures Act, ombudsmen, and citizen rights, among others.
  • SPEA-V 541 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 517 or consent of instructor. A course applying benefit-cost analysis to public and environmental policies. The first part of the course develops the foundation of benefit-cost analysis. The second part of the course consists of case studies applying benefit-cost analysis to actual policy decisions.
  • SPEA-V 542 Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) P: or C: SPEA-V 560. An introduction to the fundamentals of accounting in business, nonprofit, and public sectors. Intended only for students without previous accounting courses. Primary emphasis is on municipal entity fund accounting, including the development and use of financial statements.
  • SPEA-V 544 Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) This course examines the concepts of marketing and the extent to which they apply to the nonprofit sector, as well as how marketing can assist organizations both in resource acquisition and program development/implementation. Contexts such as social marketing, arts marketing, fundraising, education, and health care marketing will be considered.
  • SPEA-V 547 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs (3 cr.) Students will learn the skill of interest-based negotiation through role play and simulation. Students will learn about dispute resolution techniques such as mediation, arbitration, fact finding, early neutral evaluation, ombudsmanship, and facilitation. The course covers dispute resolution in federal government and in the context of public, environmental, labor, and business disputes.
  • SPEA-V 550 Topics in Public Affairs (1-4 cr.) Selected research and discussion topics organized on a semester-by-semester basis, usually with significant student input in the course design. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 557 Proposal Development and Grant Administration (3 cr.) This course provides the opportunity for each student to develop a complete proposal through participation in the entire grant application process. The integration of case studies, visual media, printed materials, and class discussions provides students with practical knowledge for writing successful proposals.
  • SPEA-V 558 Fund Development for Nonprofits (3 cr.) Important aspects of the fundraising process in nonprofit organizations are covered, including techniques and strategies for assessing potential sources of support, effective use of human resources, process management, theory to underlay practice, analysis of current practice, practice standards, and discussion of ethical problems.
  • SPEA-V 559 Principles and Practices of Social Entrepreneurship (3 cr.) This course will survey issues in social entrepreneurship and engage students in completing class projects applying principles and practices of social entrepreneurship to problems of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and social-purpose business.
  • SPEA-V 560 Public Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.) The fiscal role of government in a mixed economy; sources of public revenue and credit; administrative, political, and institutional aspects of the budget and the budgetary process; problems and trends in intergovernmental fiscal relations.
  • SPEA-V 561 Public Human Resources Management (3 cr.) Analysis of the structure, operations, and design of public personnel systems, including government agencies and public enterprise. Relationships between public policy and personnel concepts, values, and operations are considered.
  • SPEA-V 562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.) Examination of how the programs of public agencies are proposed, established, operated, and evaluated. Discussion of the role and conduct of research in the program evaluation process. In addition, techniques of effective evaluation and analysis are discussed.
  • SPEA-V 564 Urban Management (3 cr.) This course deals with the management of public policy in American urban government, with special attention to the relationships between structure, process, and policy. Readings and case studies will focus on urban management problems relating to leadership, planning, and operations.
  • SPEA-V 566 Executive Leadership (3 cr.) The course offers an in-depth examination of factors that contribute to successful executive leadership practice in a wide variety of organizational settings. Topics include what leadership is, what impact leadership has, and how leaders use various approaches and powers to achieve their goals.
  • SPEA-V 569 Managing Interpersonal Relations (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 502. This course will teach students the theory and application of individual and group human behavior. Key interpersonal skills will be modeled expertly on videotape. Students will be expected to practice these key skills and receive feedback on their performance.
  • SPEA-V 572 Urban Topics (3 cr.) Selected topics in urban policy and administration. The course is sometimes restricted to a special group of students in order to focus on a particular research interest.
  • SPEA-V 580 Readings in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Readings on selected topics in public affairs. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 581 Public Safety Law (1-3 cr.) Survey of historical development of Anglo-American law of public safety, including criminal law, civil remedies, administrative regulation of risk, and recent developments in employee and consumer safety. Emphasis on understanding legal theory and practice as basis for management decisions. Comparison of jurisprudential viewpoints and other disciplinary approaches to causation, prevention, and correction of public safety problems.
  • SPEA-V 585 Practicum in Public Affairs (1-6 cr.) Students hold work assignments with public agencies. Grading is on an S/F basis. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 586 Public Safety in the U.S. (2-3 cr.) Overview of criminal justice and public safety. Definitions of public safety and identification of major components. Functional description of major public safety agencies. Discussion of basic issues in public safety. Management in public safety system.
  • SPEA-V 590 Research in Public Affairs (1-6 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Research on selected topics in public affairs. This course may be repeated for credit.
  • SPEA-V 597 Land Use Planning (3 cr.) The course examines the theoretical basis and practical need for land use planning. Emphasis is placed on the institutional context in which land use planning occurs. The course provides an in-depth analysis and exercise in plan preparations.
  • SPEA-V 598 Governing and Leading in a Global Society (3 cr.) This gateway course will increase the student’s appreciation of the role of the profession in governance across multiple sectors of society within the global context. Students will learn norms associated with effective practice and frame a professional development plan to acquire the leadership skills to support these norms.
  • SPEA-V 600 Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.) Interdisciplinary course designed to expose students to the realities of the policy process through detailed analyses of case studies and projects. Course integrates science, technology, policy, and management.
  • SPEA-V 601 Workshop in Public Affairs (1-6 cr.) Projects in public affairs. The students work on a research and resource team to complete a project for a public-sector client. Faculty act as project managers and resource personnel.
  • SPEA-V 602 Strategic Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 502. Concepts, cases, and problem solving associated with the structure and process of strategic management in the public sector, broadly defined to include governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
  • SPEA-V 639 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 502. This is an introductory survey of operations management. Emphasis is placed on the analysis, design, and management of operation systems using models from operations management. Readings, lectures, and structured exercises are used to present the models and demonstrate their application.
  • SPEA-V 645 Environmental Law (3 cr.) An overview of U.S. environmental law. Key environmental statutes are examined, as are court decisions interpreting those statutes. Topics include water and air pollution, hazardous waste, toxins, pesticides, and environmental impact statements.
  • SPEA-V 652 Managing Work Force Diversity in Public Organizations (3 cr.) P: SPEA-V 502. Explores and applies theoretical and empirical research from a management perspective on workforce diversity. Topics include theories and constructs pertaining to diversity in work organizations, organizational postures toward workplace diversity, the interface between heterogeneity, work processes, and management practices; and the effects of heterogeneity on work-related outcomes.
  • SPEA-V 662 Public Program Management and Contracting (3 cr.) An examination of theories, concepts, and processes concerning multi-actor program implementation and alternative forms of service delivery. Focus will be on the problems and challenges public managers face in designing and managing contractual relationships, networks, and other complex implementation structures.
  • SPEA-V 663 Policy Analysis (3 cr.) An introduction to the field of policy analysis. Includes discussion of different models, approaches, conceptual foundations of the field, and the basic issues surrounding application. Students without appropriate previous coursework are expected to do extra reading under the guidance of their instructor or choose the audit existing masters courses.
  • SPEA-V 599 Thesis Research (3-6 cr.) P: Permission of instructor Research under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty leading to a Masters Thesis. This course is eligible for a deferred grade. Course may be repeated for credit.