PADM 360 Introduction to Public Administration

An introduction to the history and theory of public administration. These ideas will be applied within a variety of public institutional contexts. (Formerly GOVT 360)

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


A basic understanding of public administration is expected of a graduate in the field of government regardless of what his or her field of concentration is within the discipline. This course provides that basic need.


Textbook readings and lecture presentation/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 400 words, with a scriptural or biblical worldview application. Each thread must also include citations from 2 scholarly references and must demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words and must include at least 1 scholarly reference citation.

Case Study Assignments (3)

The student will complete 3 Case Studies. Each Case Study must include citations from 2 scholarly references, a scriptural or biblical worldview application, and be at least 750 words in length.

Research Paper Assignment

The student will write an 8–10-page research-based paper on a chosen topic from the field of public administration. The paper must utilize at least 5 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Quizzes (2)

There will be two open book/open notes quizzes. The Quiz: Midterm will include 50 multiple-choice questions; students will have 2 hours to complete it. It will cover the reading assignments for the first half of the course. The Quiz: Final will include a mixture of multiple-choice, true-false, and short essay questions. It will focus on the assigned readings for Module 5: Week 5 – Module 8: Week 8 but will include at least one essay question that applies to the entire course. Students will have 3 hours to complete this quiz.


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