Minor in Public Affairs

This course introduces students to the world of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship, focusing on how people and organizations make a positive difference in society. Students will learn about nonprofit organizations, fundraising, and why individuals choose to help others, while also exploring how innovative business ideas can solve social problems. Through discussions, case studies, and hands-on projects, students will develop their own ideas for addressing important social challenges.

Survey of organizational theories and professional skills useful to those contemplating public sector service. Addresses public service context, planning, budgeting, communication, leadership, and other skills.

Models of policymaking. Examines government policies toward civil, gender, and minority rights, crime, health, welfare, education, environment, and other areas.

This course allows students to examine social, economic, and political determinants of healthcare systems and the evolution of various systems around the world over the last few decades. Students will compare theories of health policy and priorities, models of government intervention in providing healthcare and insurance, financing, planning, education, and training.
Prerequisite: Take GS-101 and GS-150

Organizational behavior is about people and how they act and interact, mostly as members of groups. Current theories of organizational behavior are examined through the use of self-administered tests, experiential exercises, discussion, and case analysis.
Prerequisite: Take MGT-101 or BU-201

Explores the contemporary human resources function and basic processes involved in the recruitment, selection, training, development, and evaluation of an organization's human resources. Additional topics include today's emphasis on talent management as well as legal issues in HR management, labor relations, performance assessment and improvement, career paths, termination, compensation and benefit systems, and managing diversity.
Prerequisite: Take MGT-101 or BU-201

Covers the basic structure and principles of the American legal system. The differences between federal and state courts, the civil and criminal judicial processes, the juvenile court process, and an understanding of the constitutional rights applicable to these areas.

Examines the subnational level of American politics. Topics include the constitutional position of state governments, federal-state interaction, financing of state governments, political parties, group activity, and public policies.

Examines the constitutional powers of Congress, historical development, legislative process, and relationship with executive branch of government.

Focuses on the role of international organizations in coordinating relations between countries with specific reference to the United Nations. Impact of other international organizations on international relations including WTO, IMF, and EU is also examined. Course includes a trip to the United Nations.

Examines themes of American foreign policy. Topics include containment, deterrence, detente, changing bases of national power, foreign policy development, terrorism, narcocriminality, and environmental issues.

Overview of the major issues and themes affecting education policy in the U.S. Historical, political, and social setting of American education are explored with special focus on the major actors involved in the policymaking process.