Public Affairs — Courses

Public Affairs and WPPP Courses

PAF G 601
The New England Political Environment

An introduction to the key contemporary systems that now constitute the environment in which legislative and executive policy-making and implementing processes work. This course is designed to provide a thorough understanding (in theory and practice) of: where, how, and by whom policy is made and implemented; how the process is/can be influenced; who pays and who benefits; and how to evaluate results (intended and actual).
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 602
The New England Economic Environment

This course introduces the student to the theory and tools of regional economies as a framework for analyzing policy issues. The economic and fiscal structure of Massachusetts is studied to identify the inner and outer workings of the Massachusetts economy vis-a-vis New England and the nation. The latter part of the course focuses on the economics of major issues facing policy makers. Such issues include public and private housing, health care costs, public pensions, fiscal and economic competitiveness, and the economics of the capital city, Boston.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 603
Foundations of American Culture

This module begins with discussion of the culture concept and then concentrates on three traditions within our culture that have decisively shaped American values, behavior, and institutions ever since the first settlements: Puritanism, a “liberal consensus” (belief in constitutional self-government and private property), and individualism.
Hrs by arrangement, 1 Credit

PAF G 604
A Changing American Culture

This module requires students to consider the changes taking place in the American family and lifestyle, in the workplace, and in political behavior. How did policy making at the national and local levels contribute to the American record of spectacular growth? What were the human and environmental costs? To what extent can policy makers today expect to have to cope with cultural discontinuity? If post-industrial society is upon us, how will this affect the management of public and private institutions?
Hrs by arrangement, 1 Credit

PAF G 605
The Public Interest

This module is devoted to the philosophical assumptions underlying ideologies on the right (e.g., the negative state, free market, unlimited personal choice) and the left (e.g., the importance of community, the need for public power to promote the common good.) The course discusses definitions of “the public interest” and tries to resolve them.
Hrs by arrangement, 1 Credit

PAF G 610
Public Management: Theories and Principles

This course explores the complex environment in which today’s public managers must effectively function. It introduces students to the various theories of complex organizations, with a particular emphasis on those developments most relevant to public organizations. As part of the effort to relate theory to practice, students’ own work experiences become a legitimate and important aspect of the subject matter.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 612
Organizational Behavior

This course examines the nature of human behavior in public sector organizations as a function of the individual, the groups within which he or she interacts, and the organizational setting. Topics include motivation, leadership, adaptation, socialization, conflict, and communication.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 614
Human Resources Management

This course is designed to familiarize students with the major elements of human resources management in the public sector: personnel management practices and the practice of labor-management relations. The first half of the course examines the basic concepts of human resources management and the principles of planning and forecasting human resources needs. This part of the course examines career planning and management, job design, pay systems, selection, training, and equal opportunity. The second half of the course explores the nature and history of labor-management relations, focusing on the tactics and strategies of management and union representatives and the legal constraints on their behavior in: (1) the organization of public employee unions; (2) contract negotiation; and (3) contract administration and interpretation.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 615
Public Leadership

This course is a graduate research seminar with emphasis on how major leaders are identified, recruited, and selected for key positions of institutional power within the United States and the impact these choices have had on the functioning of those institutions. While most discussions focus on political leaders, a number of non-political leaders—business and academic—are also assessed. One major unifying theme of the course is the central role of personal ambition in driving people to achieve.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 619
WPPP: Contemporary American Public Policy Issues

Fall seminar in Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy. This course provides an overview of the policy-making process and electoral politics, then examines several central public policy issues of contemporary concern, including homelessness and poverty, health, and environmental issues. Readings from the disciplines of sociology and political science analyze how public policy is shaped both by internal processes of government and by interest-group dynamics.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 620
Analytic Skills I: Skills for Policy Analysis

This course will introduce a variety of policy analysis tools for policymakers and public managers/administrators; provide an overview of how public policy is shaped by research and numerical data; encourage students to generate research questions and match research methods to the questions; teach how to interpret numerical data in tables, charts, research reports, and articles; introduce basic statistical analysis tools and the interpretation of statistical results as they inform public policy decision making.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 621
Analytic Skills II: Research Methods

This course will provide a more in-depth focus on the Case Study Method and its related skills, including interviewing, analysis of documents/archives, analysis of prior research findings, qualitative research skills and analysis, and determination of policy implication. Students will cover both theoretical aspects of these topics and apply them as they prepare their capstone proposal.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 622
WPPP Fall Internship

In close consultation with the instructor, students in the WPPP Certificate Program develop and begin to work at an internship placement in a city, state, or federal government agency, in a lobbying or research organization, or in a non-profit organization whose work is directly related to public policy. Interns spend 16-20 hours per week in the placement, keeping a record of work activities, skills development, and relationship between course curriculum and learning at the internship. Students also meet regularly with the instructor to discuss the progress of their internship placement.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 623
WPPP: Women in American Politics and Policy Making

Spring seminar in Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy. This course explores how politics and government affect American women’s lives today and examines the ways that women participate in the political process in order to influence the course of public policy. Readings bridge the disciplinary perspectives of sociology and political science; newer feminist theoretical perspectives on public policy issues are included.
Prerequisites: PAF G 619, 622, 626.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 624
WPPP: Spring Internship

The internship placement begun in the fall is completed and evaluated. Students in the WPPP Certificate Program prepare and present a paper integrating the theoretical knowledge and practical skills based on their internship.
Prerequisites: PAF G 619, 622, 626.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 625
Public Budgeting and Financial Management

The public budgeting process in theory and practice. Students are introduced to contemporary approaches to public budgeting as well as to the difficulty of planning in the public sector, the dilemmas of choice and of priority setting, the results of incrementalism, and the nature of budgetary “rationality.” In addition, the course examines the nature and scope of public financial management at the state and local level. It familiarizes students with state and local government financial reporting and accounting, current operating expenditures, techniques for evaluating capital expenditures and products. It explores borrowing and debt management, evaluation of municipal credit quality, managing cash assets and liquid securities, simulations and financial forecasting, and evaluating and controlling financial management practices.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 626
WPPP: Case Study Methodology for Policy Analysis

This course is required preparation for AMST 625. The first part of the course focuses on the political and economic context in which policy disputes are raised and resolved through various political processes. Subsequent course work examines policy conflicts with emphasis on relative strengths and weaknesses of contending political forces. Students in the WPPP Certificate Program complete a case-study exercise based on readings, library research, and interviews that concentrate on a contemporary public policy controversy.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 627
WPPP: Case Study Seminar

The case study provides an opportunity for students in the WPPP Certificate Program to design and complete a substantial research paper, analyzing in detail one example of public sector decision-making, and integrating theoretical perspectives from the seminars. In close consultation with the instructor, student teams choose a controversial policy decision/area in which they wish to develop expertise—often these topics are related to the student’s internship placement. Students will make oral presentations from the case studies.
Prerequisites: PAF G 619, 622, 626.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 645
Program Evaluation

This course explores the issues involved in and techniques applicable to evaluation of programs in the public sector. The course focuses on how to define programmatic objectives and output measures and how to develop evaluation methods and instruments. It further addresses how to implement such studies and demonstrate their worth.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 651, 652, 653, 654, 655
Policy Workshops

A series of weekend workshops addressing public policy issues of concern to the Commonwealth.
1 Credit Each

PAF G 691
Capstone/Case Study Seminar

Students in the MS in Public Affairs Program have the opportunity to complete a final project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The project may be a case study of a public policy or significant piece of legislation which involves tracing its history, analyzing the political, economic, and social context in which it developed, identifying and examining the roles played by those who were instrumental in its development, and assessing its intended and actual impact. It may also be a critical examination of a policy issue confronting a student at his or her place of employment. While completing their case study project, students participate in a weekly seminar that focuses both on the substantive issues under examination and on case study methodology.
Hrs by arrangement, 6 Credits

PAF G 695, 696
Independent Study

Advanced course of independent readings under the guidance and subject to the examination of the instructor. Areas and topics according to student need.
Hrs by arrangement, 1 Credit

PAF G 697
Special Topics in Public Affairs

An advanced course offering intensive study of selected topics in public affairs. Course content varies according to the topic and will be announced prior to registration.
3-6 Lect Hrs, 3-6 Credits

International Relations Courses

Core Courses

PAF G 631
Theories and Concepts of International Relations

This course provides students with a critical assessment of the major theories and concepts which define international relations as a field of study. It has two primary goals: (1) in-depth analysis of explanatory theories (e.g., realism, idealism, structuralism, neo-liberalism, interdependence, functionalism) and of core concepts (e.g., sovereignty, national interest, collective security, balance of power); and (2) examination of the historical evolution of international systems, with focus on the modern state system and the Cold War period. Special attention is given to the processes and institutions (e.g., international law, United Nations, NGOs, international civil society) that contribute to conflict resolution and international cooperation. Ultimately, this course provides the foundations (conceptual, historical, theoretical) that graduate students in International Relations need as a preparation for the curriculum’s more specialized and advanced courses.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 632
Contemporary Issues in World Politics

This seminar focuses on current, major issues with an international dimension and/or global impact and with salience for the emerging patterns of world politics. While engaging in critical analysis of current issues, it examines the broader conceptual context and analytic framework which explain interactions among nations. Weekly reports based on assigned readings as well as a major research paper pursue distinct goals: the critical utilization of concepts; the refinement of analytic tools; the examination of different perspectives (national, international, global community); policy analysis.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 633
Research Methods and Analysis in International Relations

This course introduces students to basic concepts and skills for research, both academic and practice-based, in international relations areas. It discusses the stages of research, from identifying appropriate questions and assessing existing literature, through framing questions in researchable fashion, identifying the best research approaches for those questions, identifying existing data resources, creating research agenda for gathering new quantitative and qualitative data, analyzing and weighing different forms of data, and drawing defensible conclusions while identifying further areas for research. Specific international relations concepts and major geographic regions are used as foci for readings and major international data sets.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 634
International Political Economy

The course engages students in a study of the relationship between economics and politics in the public affairs of humankind as influenced by global institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization; non-governmental organizations such as multinational corporations, local business partnerships, workers unions; and political entities such as national, regional, and global governance systems. The course also includes an interdisciplinary focus on the role of theory; the structures of knowledge, technology, and security; the behavior of consumers; and the mobilization of values as well as opinions expressive of those values.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 635
Globalization and International Development

This course provides a comprehensive study of the major concepts and theories necessary for a critical understanding of the socio-political-economic problems and possibilities facing Third World countries in their quest for development. While examining the domestic determinants of development, the course focuses on the role of international institutions and the dominant countries (United States, European Union, Japan) in shaping the policy options in developing countries, with particular attention to the process of globalization as a recent contributor to the problem of underdevelopment.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 636
Political Economy of Regional Systems

The general goal of this course is to examine the distinct patterns of regional groupings (Western Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America, North Africa and Mediterranean, Sub-Sahara Africa): the inter-state relations which define the region, with primary focus on political-economic issues; the interplay between regional issues and the broader context of international relations; and the impact of globalization on the political, economic, and cultural aspects of each region. For any one semester, however, within the broader analysis of regional systems, the focus will be on one single region—e.g., the European Union.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 681
Advanced Studies in International Relations

This course provides students with a critical, in-depth assessment of a distinct and specialized area of international affairs—for example, the impact of multinational corporations, or approaches to international conflict resolution. It is designed for students in the International Relations track who have already completed the required six core courses in the track, and it builds on the body of knowledge so acquired. Structured as an intensive seminar, the course includes: study of the relevant literature on the topic, including a critical review of journals; review of the theoretical debates; participation in coordinated, team-research projects designed to analyze all the major aspects of the topic and share the results through systematic presentations.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 692
Capstone in International Relations

Under the supervision of an appointed capstone advisor, students complete a policy-related capstone paper.
Hrs by arrangement, 6 Credits

PAF G 694
Independent Study in International Relations

An advanced course of independent readings under the guidance and subject to the examination of the instructor. Areas and topics are chosen according to student needs, as determined by review of the student’s completed coursework and academic goals. The director of the International Relations Track will determine the suitability of the independent study proposal and will guide the student to the appropriate faculty supervisor. The proposed project should provide the student with a critical, in-depth assessment of a distinct area of study within international relations that is not covered by available courses.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

PAF G 699
Master’s Thesis in International Relations

Under the supervision of the appointed thesis advisor, students complete a major research project that makes a substantive contribution to critical understanding about a salient issue in contemporary international affairs. Students are also expected to explore in depth the broader context of the thesis topic. The final product is a substantial paper of approximately 60 pages indicating mastery of pertinent concepts and critical analysis. The thesis is defended before a faculty committee, and also provides the basis for a comprehensive discussion of the broader context.
Hrs by arrangement, 6 Credits