Some Recommended Texts (for those who seek a deeper understanding):

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1 PADP 7930 Human Services Administration Fall 2013 Tues., 3:30-6:15pm MLC 367 Course Instructor: Dr. Brian N. Williams Office Phone: Baldwin Hall Office Hours: Tues., 2:00-3:00pm or by appt. Course Description: This course introduces and explores the societal complexities and organizational challenges associated with contemporary human services administration. It uses a case-based learning approach to bridge the theoretical foundation and the ecological orientation with the practical application of managing human service organizations, as well as to highlight the challenges associated with the administration of human service organizations. Course Goal: The primary goal of this course is to expose students to the challenges and requisite skills needed to effectively manage and administer human service organizations in the public and non-profit sectors. Course Objectives: The course seeks to accomplish three objectives: 1. To foster a deeper understanding of the organizational universe of human service agencies. 2. To provide an awareness and appreciation of the challenges that face human service administrators. 3. To facilitate the development and/or hone the requisite skills for the effective and ethical management and administration of human service organizations. To accomplish these objectives, the course will utilize various in and out of class assignments and exercises. Course Format: This class has been designed as an active learning seminar. As such, it will merge traditional and contemporary approaches to teaching and learning (i.e., lectures, class discussions, guest speakers, viewing of documentaries, group work, student presentations, case-based pedagogy, etc.). As graduate students, you are expected to be active and engaged participants in the learning process. Required Text: Rino Patti, The Handbook on Human Services Management, 2 nd Ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2009) ISBN: Additional readings will be distributed in class or via . Some Recommended Texts (for those who seek a deeper understanding): Brody, R. (2005). Effectively Managing Human Service Organizations, 3 nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Martin, L. and Kettner, P. (2010). Measuring the Performance in Human Service Programs, 2 nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Required Assignments: 1.) In-Class Exams: Two in-class exams are scheduled for this course. The first will take place on October 8 th and will cover material from class sessions 1 through 8. The second exam will tentatively take place on November 12 th and will cover material from class sessions The format for the first exam will consist of multiple short answer questions, as well as an essay question. The format for the second exam 1

2 will require students to read and analyze a case, identify and define key concepts and theories that are embedded within the case, and develop an accompanying 2-page memo. Both in-class exams will be worth 25 points for a total of 50 points. 2.) Phenomenology Assignments: Due date is November 5 th. This assignment is worth a total of 15 points: 5 points for the PPT and 10 points for the written paper. More detailed information for this assignment is provided on the final two pages of the syllabus. 3.) Group Assignments: The class will be divided into teams. Each team will explore the organizational universe (Jones and Reilly, 1981) of either a public, non-profit, or faith-based human service organization of their choice. This approach enables students to recognize and better appreciate how external dynamics impact the internal operations and dimensions of human service organizations. As such, it can serve as an excellent tool to highlight the various challenges that may face human service organizations. On September 3 rd, each group is required to forward a two-page written synopsis with some preliminary information on their agency (i.e., the mission, vision and values of the organization; the organizational chart with the number of employees; the risk, target, and impact populations that it serves; the approach to human capital development that they utilize; competing institutions and organizations within their external environment; etc.). On October 1 st, each group must produce an annotated bibliography and is required to review and cite a total of at least 10 articles from peer reviewed publications (like the Journal of Health and Human Service Administration, Social Service Review, Administration in Social Work, PAR, J-PART or other related outlets), governmental reports, and books and book chapters from academic presses on a topic that s relevant to their organization. An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by an annotation - a brief (approximately 140 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited. Please note than an annotation is different from an abstract. An abstract is a descriptive summary while an annotation is a descriptive, critical and evaluative summary. Hence, an annotation summarizes the central theme and scope of the report, book or article and includes one or more sentences that evaluate the authority or background of the author and explains how this reference illuminates or adds value to the research topic. The formatting for this deliverable must be consistent with the APA 6 th edition. A template can be found at the following web address: Utilizing the background information from the written synopsis and drawing upon the substantive material that you have researched via your annotated bibliography, each group will then develop a case study or vignette, which captures a realistic issue or challenge that their organization and its leaders may or have faced. The case study/vignette is due on October 22 nd. An example of a case study/vignette will be provided in week 2 of the semester. On December 3 rd, each group is required to develop a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation. Beyond the basic overview of the organization (mission, vision, values, the population(s) the organization serves, the number of employees, etc.) the presentation must utilize the organizational universe framework to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the organization and its mission (An easy way to do so is to incorporate the case study/vignette that was developed into your presentation). Likewise, each group must offer within their presentation some administrative and managerial strategies to maintain the strengths and opportunities of the organization, while addressing the weaknesses and threats that face the organization. Special attention should be devoted to highlighting the legal, political, economic, and social dynamics that impact the ethical management of the human service organization. 2

3 A final component of the group assignment is a page research paper that will utilize and build off of the annotated bibliography. A one-page synopsis of the research paper is due on September 3 rd. The breakdown for each component of the group assignment is as follows: Two-page written synopsis 5 points; Case Study or Vignette 5 points; PowerPoint presentation 5 points; Annotated Bibliography 5 points; Research Paper (10-15 pages) 15 points. All of these assignments will be worth a total of 35 points. Grading: Each assignment will be graded on the +/- system. The scale is as follows: A = B+ = C+ = D = A- = B = C = F = B- = C- = If a student has a grade dispute, they should submit a one-page memo to me presenting evidence for their case. I will review and re-grade the original assignment. This review can create a grade increase, but may also create a grade decrease based on the new overall evaluation. Late Assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted with out a verifiable excuse. Student Honor Code: The Student Honor Code governs all work in this course. Please consult the Student Honor Code s web page ( for more information. Uncertainty about the application of the Student Honor Code does not excuse a violation. 3

4 PADP 7930 Fall 2013 Session Date Class Topic Readings Developing an Understanding of Human Service Organizations & the Dimensions of Human Services Management 1 8/13 Introduction & Overview Case-Based Learning Memo Writing 2 8/20 Exploring the need for Human Service Organizations (HSOs) Towards an understanding of HSOs Introduction to the Organizational Universe 3 8/27 The purposes, practices and prospects of HSOs The evolution of HSOs and the implications for the HAS Intro to Phenomenology Guest Lecturer, Dr. Lisa Sperling 4 9/3 The Structure and Financing of HSOs Guest Lecturer TBA Exploring the life of the HSO administrator Group written synopsis due. 1 page description of research paper is due. Managing for Performance in HSOs 5 9/10 The impact of organizational climate, culture and leadership on performance Guest Lecturer Chief Joseph Lumpkin, ACCPD 6 9/17 Information, IT management and organizational performance Guest Lecturer Allie Chambers, Athens Health Network Human Capital Development Ford School Memo Template Hasenfeld, Watkins-Hayes, and Queen Patti Chs. 1-3; Phenomenology readings Patti Chs. 4-5 Patti Chs. 6-7 Patti Chs /24 Motivation, workforce diversity, and administrative issues Patti Chs /1 Developing, empowering and supervising staff/volunteers Guest Lecturer Leslie Hale, Books for Keeps Annotated Bibliography due date. 9 10/8 In-Class Exam 1 Developing HSO Programs 10 10/15 Program planning and management. Guest Lecturer Grace Johnson, Mercy Clinic Guest Lecturer Fenwick Broyard, Community Connection 11 10/22 Raising funds and managing financial resources Guest Lecturer Lemuel LaRoche, Chess & Community Case Study/Vignette due date. Leading Today s HSOs & Looking Towards the Future 12 10/29 The Politics of Partnership & Policy Advocacy: Implications for HSAs Guest Lecturer Delene Porter, Athens Area Community Foundation 13 11/5 Future Challenges facing HSOs and HSAs Phenomenology Assignments due date /12* In Class Exam /19* Culminating Class Exercise TBA 16 12/3* Group Presentations/Group paper is due. Class Reflection & Wrap-up Patti Chs Patti Chs Patti Chs Patti Chs Patti Chs Please note that the course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary. 4

5 PADP 7930 Human Services Administration Williams Fall 2013 Class Session 13 - Individual Assignment A Phenomenological Exploration of a Human Service Organization: Finding Meaning in HSOs and their Environments Purpose The purpose of this assignment is to assist students in gaining a basic understanding of a human service organization, and how this organization is in relation to those external institutions, organizations, and individuals within its environment. It seeks to highlight how external dynamics impact HSOs and the lived or professional experiences of their administrators, managers, and executive directors. Overview This assignment leverages phenomenology* as a research methodology by requiring each student to select a human service organization (public, non-profit, faith-based, etc.) that interests them. After selecting the organization, each student must engage in two activities: (1) to engage in a phenomenology tour by visiting the building where the organization is housed and (2) to contact and ultimately interview an administrator, manager or executive director of that organization. More detailed information regarding this assignment and its related activities are described below. Phenomenology Tour: The Where, What, How, and Why of the Human Service Organization During the phenomenology tour you must visit the building (all public spaces) where your organization is housed. Pay attention to the organization s environment and all that is happening within that environment the cultures, discourses, systems, and every day practices. During your tour make sure that you take copious field notes that describe the environment and interactions. Mark Vagle (2012) has suggested that researchers ask themselves wondering questions to assist with assignments like this. Some examples of these types of questions are: What is happening here? What is the purpose of this place? What conversations take place here? What practices take place here? What populations are served here? What does this population look like? After your tour of the facility, please revisit your field notes and begin a process of interpreting what you have described. Since the topic of class session 13 is Future Challenges facing HSOs and HSAs, explore how your notes connect with this topic and what are the implications for administrators, managers or executive directors of this organization. Individual Interview: What Does it Means to be an Administrator within the Organization? The second part of this assignment is an interview with a manager, administrator, or the executive director of a human service organization. This interview should surface relevant personal and professional facts (educational background, professional journey, years in the organization, areas of responsibility, etc.), but the specific focus is on What is it like to be an administrator, manager or executive director within this organization? After this initial question, feel free to ask natural follow-up, probing, or clarifying questions. 5

6 Deliverables Upon completion of this exercise, write a 3-5 page paper that describes what you observed, how you interpreted your observations, and how this information can be relevant to better understand human service administration. Also, utilize the pertinent information from the individual interview to shed some light on what is it like to be an administrator, manager or executive director within that organization. In addition to this written deliverable, each student must present their findings and related implications to the class. You can do so by developing a PowerPoint presentation or some other medium. Each presentation should last a maximum of 10 minutes. *Phenomenology is often defined as the science of phenomena. As a discipline, it endeavors to describe and interpret the essence of how the world is constituted and experienced. For background info on phenomenology, please visit: Phenomenology Grading Rubric Written Deliverable 5 Dimensions Key Questions Max (Written) Points 1. Descriptions of observations 2. Interpretations of How did you interpret observations your observations? 3. Relevance to OT How is this information relevant to your better understanding of Human Service Administration? 4. Implications for Mgmt/Admin 5. Clarity/Flow/Aesthetics Max (Presentation) Points What did you observe? What are the implications for the administrator, manager, or executive director of the organizations? Points Received TOTAL SCORE 15 points 6