Minnesota State University, Mankato

URSI 650 Urban Administrative Services, Fall 2003

Urban & Regional Studies Institute

 

Morris Hall, Room 206                                                                         Wednesday 2 PM – 4:45 PM

Instructor:

Dr. “J” Cherrington, 106 b Morris Hall

Office Phone: 389-5031                                                               E-mail: janet.cherrington@mnsu.edu

Office Hours:  These are posted on my office door or on my website.

                                                                                                       www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington

Texts:

Required:

Klinger, Donald E. and Nalbandian, John.  Public Personnel Management Contexts and Strategies, 5th edition (Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1997).

Bland, Robert L. and Rubin, Irene S., Budgeting: A Guide for Local Governments, (International City/County Management Association, 1997)

 

Course Goal:

This course is designed for you as an adult learner to provide an overview of Urban Administrative Services.  The emphasis is on local government human resource management, urban finance systems and relationships within that context.  The financial, economic and human resource environment for local government managers’ decision making is examined.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:  By the end of the course, you will be able to:

1.   Identify and become familiar with the components of human resource management systems.

2.   Examine issues involved in human resource decision making and policy.

3.   Analyze trends in the field of human resource management and their impact on productivity and employee job satisfaction.

4.   Explore the role of the human resource manager, organizational relationships and career options.

5.   Understand the budget design, preparation and adoption process.

6.   Understand budgeting as a policy making and management tool.

7.   Understand alternative budget formats.

8.   Identify financing options and tools.

9.   Be familiar with financial accounting and auditing, investments and risk management.

 

Personal Skill Development Goals:  In addition to the specific course outcomes, there are 4 additional goals that are most common to all other URSI graduate courses at MSU.  They are:

·        to develop your creative and critical thinking powers in addressing problems and opportunities.

·        to develop your personal communication skills, both written and oral.

·        to improve your ability to work and interact with others in a team approach.

·        to improve your understanding and use of technology.

 

Instructional Methodology & Teaching Strategies:  A variety of techniques will be used throughout the semester including small group discussions, lecture, guest speakers, and student presentations.  Local government practitioner guest speakers, coupled with case study analysis, will provide a comprehensive approach for developing the skills to understand human resource management, local government budgeting and finance systems.  My teaching style in this course is based on an “adult centered” model wherein students are active participants responsible for their own learning.  I act as a facilitator and a resource to engage you in a meaningful academic experience.