Spring 2010 Course Description
Advanced Topics in Management
| Section Title: |
Issues in Urban Management |
| Instructor(s): |
Sheryl Sculley |
| Course: |
P A 388L - Advanced Topics in Management
(previously Seminar on Topics in Public Management) |
| Unique Number: |
62575 |
| Day & Time: |
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Room: |
SRH 3.220 |
| Waitlist Information: | For LBJ Students: UT Waitlist Information |
This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):
- Urban and State Affairs
- Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies
- Natural Resources and the Environment
Description: This course is designed to address core functions in urban management, particularly those issues pertaining to the business of medium and large-scale municipalities, and to develop and refine professional and leadership skills in conjunction with the subject matter. Weekly discussion topics will rely on current practices, policy and management issues facing the Cities of San Antonio and Austin. To complement the topical context, guest speakers holding leadership positions in city government and related fields will be incorporated in the classes.
The course will also explore leadership characteristics and strategies necessary to manage large organizations in today’s complex large cities. Issues of professional city management as compared to elected executive leadership will be studied. Term limits, elected and appointed official compensation and the use of business practices in government will be examined. Topics to be covered will include the following:
- Forms and structure of local governance
- Innovations and best practices in local government
- Recruiting, retaining and rewarding executive staff
- Performance measurement of fiscal policy implementation
- Infrastructure Program Development in Single District Elected Leadership Governance
- Finance and Budget Policy
- Elected official/professional staff relationships
- The media
- Fundamental delivery issues: public safety; including police, fire and emergency operations, transportation, health care, housing, park and libraries, and utilities including; water, sewer, solid waste and energy
- Economic development and redevelopment
- Energy Conservation and the leadership role of local government in Environmental Sustainability issues
Course Requirements: Students are expected to follow current local government issues in all media outlets in Austin and/or San Antonio with some recommended readings. The course will include assigned and suggested ready case studies and some guest speakers with professional expertise in the area being covered. Students will be required to complete one public safety ride-a-long, make professional presentations, write succinct business memos, and write an essay on an approved city management topic.
1. 5 business memos and one Essay (8-12 pages)* - ¼
2. Active Class Participation - ¼
3. 2 group presentations - ¼
4. One Public Safety Ride-a-long with summary memo - 1/4
*Essay topic must be approved by the instructor by February 3, 2009.
Why take this class: You will learn practical and successful public sector CEO leadership skills. The instructor with 30 years of progressive public management experience is the City Manager of the City of San Antonio, the nation’s seventh largest city (by population) and the second largest U.S. city governed by the Council-Manager form of government. Coursework will include actual case studies of current public policy issues.Return to Spring 2010 Course Schedule