POLS 593 01: Problems in Political Science and Public Administration

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POLS 593 - Problems in Political Science and Public Administration

2023 Summer Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 9897

Course Information

You are responsible for knowing this material, so please read carefully. Any changes will be announced in a Blackboard Announcement. You will be responsible for any changes. Your continued enrollment in this course is your implicit agreement to abide by the requirements of this class.

Times and Location

MW 6:30pm-10:30pm in Nistler, Rm 334

Instructor Information

Renee Cardarelle

Email: renee.cardarelle@und.edu

Office: Nistler Hall 324J

2023 Summer Office Hours:
Mondays 3 to 6 or individual meetings can be arranged by emailing the instructor.

Office Phone: 701-777-3546

About the Professor

Renee Cardarelle is a visiting assistant professor. She has an ABD in Public Administration and has taught government courses at several universities. Her area of focus is civic engagement and its role in governance. 

Course Description

Prior approval of instructor required before enrollment. Students study special topics under the direction and supervision of a member of the staff.

This course will explore how public programs are provided through each of the 3 sectors: public, nonprofit and business, and it will explore the unique challenges of providing public services in each of those spaces. The course will explore how funding is managed, including grant making processes, how expectations set by legislatures are communicated and reported on, and it will ask students to identify their top questions for how each of these sectors operate as they provide public service. 

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this course, you should be able to: 

  • Understand the history of intergovernmental relations and management in the US.
  • Define the 3 sectors and understand the institutional structures that make up each sector. 
  • Understand how government is networked or connected with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including business and nonprofits.  
  • ​Understand the changing role of the public administrator inside of the 3 sector system over time. 

Course Materials

We will be using the textbook below as well as additional online resources throughout the class. These resources will be available through the Blackboard system. 

Nonprofits and Government: Collaboration and Conflict. Third Edition 

Edited by Elizabeth T Boris and C. Eugene Steurerle.  
ISBN-13: 9781442271784 or ISBN-10: 1442271787 

Cross Boundaries for Intergovernmental Management 

Robert Agranoff

ISBN 9781626164802

Technical Requirements/Assistance

You will use Microsoft Word to complete assignments. Students are expected to use their official UND email in the course. Visit the Office 365 Email webpage for information on your UND email and how to download/install a free version of Microsoft Office. For technical assistance, please contact UND Technical Support at 701.777.2222. Visit the University Information Technologies (UIT) website for their hours, help documents and other resources. 

Minimum Technical Skills Needed

In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to: 

  • Use basic word processing systems
  • Navigate search engines and the internet 
  • Navigate in and use basic Blackboard functions 
  • Download and open electronic documents 
  • Create, save, and upload/attach electronic documents 
  • ​Send, receive, and manage email  
 

Course Logistics

Access and Log in Information 

This course was developed and will be facilitated using Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website. 

Course Overview  

The course content is organized into a shortened 6-week semester. On the left side course menu in Blackboard there is a “Lessons” tab, each week will include 2 full weeks of material. To be successful you will need to review the weekly folders twice a week and complete the assignments. The folder will include a list of assignments due, links to discussions/exams/journals or assignment submission links, and any other related course materials. 

An overview of the schedule for the course is found on the “Syllabus and Schedule” tab. This schedule may change throughout the semester and the date when the change happens will be listed - however please refer to the Lesson’s folder each week for accurate assignment information. 

Resources 

There are a ton of services available to help you as an online students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center, free online tutoring from Smarthinking, and more. Visit the Student Resources page for more information.  

Course Requirements/Expectations

Basic Requirements for All Courses 

  1. The student will review the syllabus and course schedule posted in Blackboard. 
  2. The student will access and follow all course instructions found in weekly folder posted in the Lessons area of the Blackboard course. 
  3. The student will listen to all online lectures, videos and review other recourses provided in the individual weekly folders. 
  4. The student will complete and submit assignments, exams, quizzes, etc. by the date noted in Blackboard and on the course schedule. We will use Central Standard Time for due dates and times. 
  5. ​The student will follow good academic standards when discussing the course concepts and materials and completing the assignments. 

Communication

Announcements

Announcements will be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Be sure to check the class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters.

Email and Zoom

I check my email regularly and welcome emails and visits with students. You can reach me at renee.cardarelle@und.edu. I am happy to arrange a different time to meet with you, either in person or via zoom. 

Netiquette

When participating in an online class it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Always use professional language in your postings and emails. Please be respectful of your classmates at all times even if you disagree with their ideas. 

Assessments & Grading

This course is made up of a series of assignments and assessments to assist you in achieving the course learning objectives/outcomes.   

Assessments 

In this course your learning will be assessed in the following ways:  

Class Attendance – approximately 25% of your grade or 120 points 

Attend all classes! The discussions in class will be very important. Approximately 25% of your grade will be based on attending and ACTIVELY participating in class. Each class is worth 10 points. 

You must come to class prepared, which includes reading the assigned materials/chapters for that week and taking notes on the discussion questions. We will spend a significant amount of time discussing these. Students who do not come prepared may lose attendance points. 

Exams/Quizzes – Approximately 25% of your grade or 120 points 

There are no midterm/final exams for this class. Instead, there are open book quizzes, also referred to as tests or exams, which can be found on the left-hand side of Blackboard under “Exams”. They are 25% of your grade. I often throw in some “extra credit” questions in these quizzes.  

The deadline for all quizzes is Friday, June 23. However, I highly recommend working on them as you read! 

These quizzes are on concepts and information found in our online textbook: Nonprofits and Government and Crossing Boundaries as well as other readings assigned in Blackboard. They are open book, untimed, but one attempt only. You can save your quiz and come back to it if you are interrupted.  

Final Project – Approximately 30% of your grade 

For this project you will pick from one of the topics below and write a 15 page academic paper: 

  1. Where do the lines fall? What are the roles the government, non-profits and for-profits assume in working on public concerns? 
  2. Do nonprofits make the world better? Or do they reinforce the social norms and perpetuate inequality? 
  3. Intergovernmental Management and Relations, how has the federal bureaucratic system changed to include NGOs over the years? 
  4. Networked government - how are networks creating an organic governing system? 
  5. Suggest one of your own (must be approved) 
Discussions – Approximately 20% of your grade 

There will be 2 discussions in Blackboard as a part of this class. These are due in two parts, a initial post and a discussion. The first discussion initial post will be due May 21st and will be on the 6 chapters assigned (including the chapters for the week coming). By May 28th you must respond to 3 other students and have a discussion about the topic. There should be a minimum of 3 back and forth responses. The second discussion will be the same format with the initial post due on June 11th for all the readings, including the readings for that week and the follow up conversation with other students due on June 18th.

You must complete these on time – NO Exceptions. 

  • Discussions will be graded on depth of conversation around the topic. Sample questions are provided and there is an expectation that you touch on them, but more important is your ability to provide a good conversation regarding the presented subject.
  • You must engage with at least 3 students and the conversation must include at least 3 interactions each (ie: you write a student, they write back, you write back). 
  • ​Discussions and conversations with students must be on the topic and must further the ideas of the topic - its' okay to say "I like your point" but your conversation shouldn't stop there, go on to discuss what was good about it, how it furthers your understanding of class, etc.  
 

Grading Breakdown

Breakdown of Weighted Totals (Approximate

Attendance - 25%
Quizzes - 25%
Written Work - 50%

Final Grade Scale

A    90% to 100%   450 points up 

B    80% to 89%    400 points and up 

C    70% to 79%    350 points and up 

D    60% to 69%    300 points and up 

F    0% to 59% 

Course Evaluation

Around the middle of the semester, we will complete a formative assessment to see how the course is going. Near the end of the semester, you will be asked to complete an online course evaluation form (SELFI). Your feedback on the course is extremely valuable to me. I read my students’ comments carefully and use them to improve the course the next time I teach it. 

  • When the time comes, please let me know which aspects of the course helped you learn—and which aspects might be modified to help future students learn more effectively. 
  • Please note that the course evaluations are anonymous and that I won’t see the results until after the grades for the course are submitted, allowing you to provide honest and constructive feedback.   
  • ​And if you have feedback to offer before the end of the semester, please let me know. 

Course Policies

Assignment Policy 

Late Work 

There will be 2 discuss assignments due during the semester, the first is on May 28th and the second on June 11th. These MUST be turned in by the due date and you MUST respond to at least 2 other students to receive a passing grade for these. NO exceptions. These are discussion posts that require you to discuss the topic with others while we are working on that section. Late work is not a part of this process.  

The final project and all quizzes will be due by June 23rd, the last day of the course.  You can complete the quizzes the week they are due or wait to do them all at once. 

Instructor Responsibilities and Feedback 

  • In general, I will provide feedback on class assignments within the week. This is when I will provide you with insights into how to improve your discussion posts! Similarly the projects are time sensitive and I will respond with comments generally within a week or so.
  • ​I have an open door policy. I will talk to you whenever you need help. Do not hesitate to reach out to me. Do realize that I have other commitments, so scheduling a time to visit is best. However, with a few exceptions I’m available to meet most days and on weekends also.  

Class Participation 

  • You are expected to go into Blackboard twice a week, open the weeks folder and complete the assignments listed. 
    You are expected to do the readings and other assignments and come to class prepared for discussion. 
    You are also expected to reach out to me if you are confused or don’t understand a concept. 

Incompletes 

It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor. More information regarding UND’s Incomplete policy can be found on The Grading System webpage. 

Copyright Notice 

© Renee Cardarelle 

University of North Dakota Policies & Resources

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.

As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties for the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter and will have little tolerance and/or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.

Access and Opportunity, Disability Support, & Medical Services

The University of North Dakota is committed to providing equal access to students with documented disabilities. To ensure access to this class and your program, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) to engage in a confidential discussion about accommodations for the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with DSS at the start of their program. More information can be obtained by email UND.dss@UND.edu or by phone at 701.777.2664.

COVID-19

UND is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment while providing quality learning experiences for our students. COVID-19’s continued presence within our UND community may necessitate changes in classroom management as the academic year progresses. As such, UND asks students and instructors to be flexible when necessary to promote a safe environment for learning. Please do not attend an in-person class or lab if you are feeling ill, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been directed by health professionals to quarantine or isolate. If you are not able to attend class or lab, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and discuss options for making up any missed work in order to ensure your ability to succeed in the course. If you will have an extended absence due to serious illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, you may request an absence notification through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Similarly, if your instructor is ill they may need to cancel class or temporarily move your course to online delivery to ensure that you are able to complete the course successfully.  Instructors may require students to wear masks in the classroom or in the laboratory as a preventative measure designed to facilitate uninterrupted classroom engagement and to facilitate health and safety in the classroom.   If your instructor does require masks in class or in a laboratory, you are expected to comply with that request.

UND also strongly encourages all members of the University community, including students, to get vaccinated, seek out testing when needed, and model positive behavior both on- and off-campus to foster a healthy and safe learning environment for all students. Individuals who would like to discuss disability accommodations regarding masks should contact the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office at 701.777.2664 or UND.dss@UND.edu. Individuals who are unable to wear a mask due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact the UND Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office at 701.777.4171 or UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu.

Religious Accommodations

UND offers religious accommodations, which are reasonable changes in the academic environment that enable a student to practice or observe a sincerely held religious belief without undue hardship on the University. Examples include time for prayer or the ability to attend religious events or observe a religious holiday. To request an accommodation, complete the student religious accommodation request form. If you have any questions, you may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office.

Pregnancy Accommodations

Students who need assistance with academic adjustments related to pregnancy or childbirth may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or Academic Affairs to learn about your options. Additional information and services may be found at Pregnancy Resources.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to Donna Smith, Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity & Title IX and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, 102 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 or any other federal agency.

Reporting of Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

If you or a friend has experienced sexual misconduct, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage. You may also contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX office if you or a friend has experienced discrimination or harassment based on a protected class, such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or political belief or affiliation.

Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual misconduct or of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class that they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you can find information about confidential support services on the Equal Opportunity & Title IX webpage..

UND Cares Program

How to Seek Help When in Distress

We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, however, some students may struggle or have issues that arise. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares Program Webpage.

How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress

The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:

  • Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
  • Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
  • Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
  • Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
  • Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
  • Student is acting out of character or different than usual.
  • Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
  • Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on a normal conversation.
  • Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
  • Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Today, the University of North Dakota rests on the ancestral lands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate - presently existing as composite parts of the Red Lake, Turtle Mountain, White Earth Bands, and the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota and North Dakota. We acknowledge the people who resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Ojibwe and Oyate people permeate this land. As a university community, we will continue to build upon our relations with the First Nations of the State of North Dakota - the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

Additional Resources

It is my goal to foster an environment of mutual respect in which everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions, sharing their stories, and learning about potentially heavy or personally relevant material. If, at any point, you feel like the information covered in this class elicits thoughts, feelings, or concerns that you would like to discuss further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or the UND Counseling Center (701-777-2127).

Further, if you experience extenuating circumstances, sexual violence, identity-based harm, or any other personal crisis during the semester, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can provide academic assistance and help you in this course, and put you in contact with the appropriate resources and services (if needed).