Newsworthy (Fall 2009) - Real World Perspective
Giving students a first-hand look at how academic theory translates into real-world practice is the goal of a graduate level course this semester at the University of Georgia that is administered in part by the Vinson Institute.
The formal name of the course may be Public Administration and Policy 7500, but a more accurate description may be "Local Government Management in Today's Georgia." Students gain a solid foundation in the functional areas of local government management and then through panel discussions with practitioners are able to put that knowledge in better perspective.
The course is also designed to help students determine whether they want to pursue a career in local government, and in what areas their particular skills and interests may best be applied, explains Harry Hayes, Vinson Institute faculty member. Hayes works with class instructor Dr. Delmer Dunn to arrange a wide array of guest speakers who are now or recently engaged in local government management.
"The Vinson Institute is in a natural position to support the practical component of this course through its extensive work with local governments throughout the state and its mission to promote excellence in government," Hayes says.
Topics explored include the career of the local government manager, planning, manager– governing board relations, finance, public safety, human services, legal issues, citizen relations, infrastructure, and human resource management.
The class has been part of the Master of Public Administration curriculum since the winter of 1989.
