COURSES

COURSES

Teaching Awards

Recipient of the 2005 Texas Exes Teaching Award, February 8, 2005, Austin, TX
Professor of the Year Award, CENTEX Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, May 8, 2003, Austin, TX
LBJ Faculty Teaching Award "Continually Reinvigorating Course Curriculum" by LBJ Student Body, April 10, 2003
Faculty Appreciation Award, LBJ Student Body, 2003

MSPP Courses

LBJ Courses

The Aging Challenge: Health Care and Income Security in the 21st Century (PA 388K)
(Spring 2005)
Syllabus

This course provides an overview of key US health and income security issues facing older Americans, with a focus on both contemporary and long term challenges facing the nation. The course also includes international comparative analysis on pension and health issues.

We begin with an assessment of the well-being of older Americans, followed by an exploration of key related demographic and economic trends underway in the US. We then assess the evolution of the US system, including our social insurance and means tested programs as well as our tax and regulatory policies. Several weeks are devoted to analysis and discussion of the key US income security and health care programs as well as related federal tax policies. We examine a full range of policy options in all of these areas, with particular focus on Social Security and Medicare. In addition, we examine the experience of several other countries on these issue areas, with examples drawn from Europe, Canada and Latin America.

Advanced Management (PA 384C)
(formerly Public Administration and Management)
(Fall 2001, Spring 2002, Fall 2002, Spring 2003, Fall 2003, Fall 2005)
Syllabus (Fall 2005)

This course introduces students to management principles and practices, with a focus on public agency administration. We begin with discussion on the nature of public administration and move to organization theory and the effect of structure on executive branch behavior. We will also examine the "people" side of government organizations as well as management and leadership within organizations. Many case studies are examined in depth to provide real life context for the course content.

The course is designed to go beyond a conceptual framework of public management by also helping students develop the knowledge, insights and skills necessary to manage and to lead government organizations. Students will also work in small group settings on a number of management skill-building exercises, such as "supportive communication" and "managing conflict".

Policy Research Project (PRP): Expanding Health Care Coverage for the Uninsured in Texas (PA 882A)
(Spring 2001, Fall 2001, Spring 2002)
PRP Website
Background Papers (Spring 2001)
Background Papers (Spring 2002)

This two-year policy research project, sponsored by a grant from the Foundation for Insurance Regulatory Studies in Texas (FIRST), looked at developing options for the State of Texas to increase the number of Texans with health insurance coverage. The first year was exploratory in nature and sought to develop a range of options. Students prepared background papers for a conference held at the LBJ School of Public Affairs in March 2001. The second year built on the research conducted during the first year. Another set of background papers were developed by students in the second year, and another conference was held in March 2002.

Overview of American Social Policy (PA 388K)
(Fall 2002, Spring 2003, Fall 2005)
Syllabus (Fall 2005)

This course provides an overview of social policy in the United States, with a focus on contemporary issues and challenges facing the nation.

We begin with an overview and history of American social policy, followed by an exploration of the key demographic and economic trends underway in the US, with particular attention placed on the changing picture of the poor, the elderly and our increasingly diverse population. The balance of the course work is devoted to analysis and discussion of the programs that now support the three key areas of US social policyâ€”income security, health care and human capital investment. We examine key contemporary policy issues and options in all of these areas, including welfare reform and support for the poor and disabled, education and training, Social Security and Medicare for the elderly and health care for the poor and uninsured.

Principal readings are from Understanding Poverty (Danziger & Haveman) and A Working Nation (Ellwood et al). In addition, I have assigned a number of book chapters, articles, government publications, as well as topical policy research and advocacy pieces. A very wide range of opinion is presented.

The course requires very extensive reading and class preparation as well as a high level of participation in class. Student assessment will be based on class participation, weekly writings posted to the discussion board, short and lengthy written assignments, and group presentations on a variety of social policy topics.