Community Leadership

This course intends to answer three critical questions that pertain to the nebulous and often inaccessible nature of the local governments. How are local governmental organizations structured and administered, specifically in terms of budgeting resources for policy goals? How do public sector managers utilize various networks of governance and community advocacy to work more effectively? What frameworks are in place to ensure governmental transparency, ethical practices, and accountability to constituents? This course is designed for civically minded individuals who are interested in...

Due to the structural nature of public organizations, personnel management in this sector faces particular organizational and interpersonal challenges that must be met in order to best serve local communities. This course draws upon scholarly and practitioner knowledge to guide students as they answer three critical questions that organize the class: What best practices in personnel management can be applied to catalyze a more effective organization? How do the principles of effective personnel management apply specifically to public organizations? What unique challenges do public...

A comprehensive understanding of public finance is critical to understand the role that local leaders play in ensuring fiscal responsibility, sustainability and provision of public goods and services. This course draws on theoretical concepts and practical application of public finance at the national, state and local levels. Students will be able to discuss the following critical public finance questions that organize the class: Why study public finance? How is public finance utilized to achieve redistribution and social insurance? How is taxation applied in practice at the national and...

Because school bonds create a public financial obligation, officials who propose and manage such bonds have an ethical obligation to ensure their legitimacy and effective and efficient use. This course draws upon scholarly and practitioner knowledge to guide students as they answer three critical questions that organize the class: What legitimates a need for a school bond? If legitimate, how does a school bond get to the voter for decision? How do principles of effective public management apply specifically to school bonds? What best practices exist to ensure school bonds are transparent so...

This course is designed to help students understand successful performance management in educational institutions, guiding students to consider how educational institutions and related agencies collaborate. The course also draws on future prospects for issues such as equity and diversity in schools and decreased state and federal funding. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will be able to define and analyze benchmarks used by education agencies and schools and consider how these institutions ensure that benchmarks are met. Students will also understand organizational...

Housing policies which ensure the provision of affordable housing and tenant protections are becoming an increasingly relevant topic at state and local levels of government, but California’s unique regulatory system makes these projects especially expensive to execute. This course will cover the policies impacting financing and construction of affordable housing in California as well as the important regulatory actors and stakeholders involved in housing financing. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will: Identify the key players and their roles in affordable housing...

Housing policies which ensure the provision of affordable housing and tenant protections are becoming an increasingly relevant topic at state and local levels of government. In this course, students will learn the history of affordable housing policy in California and how to evaluate the efficacy of housing policies and programs. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will understand: Prominent viewpoints around the government’s role in providing affordable housing and other housing services Possible mechanisms for evaluating the efficacy and efficiency of housing projects...

Because school bonds create a public financial obligation, officials who propose and manage such bonds have an ethical obligation to ensure their legitimacy and effectiveness. Measures should be considered to strive for the efficient use of public funds. This course draws upon scholarly and practitioner knowledge to guide students as they answer three critical questions that organize the class: What legitimates a need for a school bond? If legitimate, how does a school bond get to the voter for decision? How do principles of effective public management apply specifically to school bonds?...