PADM 6300 Administrative Law
Summer 2022
From your experience, if you were to describe this course to another, what would you tell them is the topic of the course, its objectives, things they might learn, and key takeaways.
The Administrative Law course focuses on the different branches of government and the laws that govern thier interaction and authority. The material was focused on the federal level, but we had plenty of opportunities to apply the cases and concepts to the level of government most relevant to us.
How does the instruction you received in this course relate to the Core Competencies of the MPA program work, and how can they be applied to what you are doing in public administration or will be doing?
Without knowledge of administrative laws and processes, it would be impossible to apply effective public governance. Understanding precedent and authority is critical to providing the services necessary for a government agency to function. This class improves critical thinking skills by applying different cases to current practices.
How did this course relate to other courses you have taken in the program? Explain
Administrative Law and Administrative Theory have some significant correlation. The origins of democracy and the theory of governance are what created our Republican Democracy and continue to shape the direction of our nation. Theory and ideology play a huge role in politics, lawmaking, agency authority, and judicial review.
Reflect and describe key elements of this course that were particularly meaningful to you and how you will apply them to your life, profession, or other areas.
Ethical behavior begins with understanding the laws that govern an agency. Being able to explain and help my agency and community understand the role and processes under which the bureaucracy functions improves citizen engagement and trust.
Ch 2 Political Control over Agency Action - Tamara Oborn.docxPolitical Control of Agency Action
Political Control of Agency Action is especially interesting as a political science undergraduate. Being aware of the interaction between politics and agency authority is critical to foster good communication between the branches of government and better policy for the people.
#1 Separation of Powers - Tamara Oborn.docxSeparation of Powers
Understanding the separation of powers is the first step in understanding how our democracy was created and how it functions. The variety of beliefs about the power in each branch is still a very relevant topic. Understanding the roles and maintaining the balance of power is difficult, but an important goal for a functioning government.
Ch 4 - Aquiring and Disclosing Information, GRAMA & Open Meeting - Tamara Oborn.docxUnderstanding GRAMA & OPMA
Understanding the communication laws that govern bureaucracy is an integral part of working in government. Transparency is a pillar of agency action and an important way we are held accountable by the public.