Course 2026-2027 a.y.

The main topics of the course are organized in four sections.

1. Foundations of public administration as a field and object of study

2. Theoretical approaches to understanding and studying public administration

3. Empirical examples and variations of public administration across countries

4. Research on public administration reforms and performance

· Describe the foundations of public administration as an empirical phenomenon and field of research

· Identify the intellectual traditions of public administration

· Describe and distinguish different national or local models of public administration

· Explain current reform trends and debates in public administration research

· Critically compare the intellectual traditions underpinning different models of public administration

· Critically discuss research designs and performance indicators

· Develop effective and sustainable solutions for real-world administrative problems

· Present research findings clearly and effectively through presentations and policy writing

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Collaborative Works / Assignments
• Interaction/Gamification

The course follows a blended teaching model with a mixture of online and in-class sessions. Asynchronous online sessions in the form of short video lectures present and explain theoretical foundations and important concepts. Face-to-face sessions allow students to deepen, discuss and apply the new knowledge through discussions, case studies, and group exercises. A preparation of previous video lectures and reading materials as well as active participation is of the highest importance for the learning success during the sessions held in presence. Some in-class sessions are reserved for the work on and presentation of students’ group projects. Group work and presentations are designed to train student’s teamwork abilities as well as the skills to effectively collect, organize, and present information to different audiences. This learning method is also designed to develop students’ ability to give constructive feedback to each other, and to receive and incorporate feedback. The presentations also serve as starting point for further discussions in class.

10% online quizzes

30% group presentations

60% written exam based only on slides and class discussions

Nine online quizzes in BBoard throughout the semester test students’ understanding of the concepts covered in the asynchronous online sessions. The group work assesses students’ understanding of the content discussed in class and their ability to apply it to a specific administrative system and problem, and to present their arguments and ideas convincingly in class. The group work is delivered in one presentation and one written policy brief per group according to the details provided in class. The written exam tests students’ knowledge and understanding of the theoretical foundations, reform and research trends as well as students’ ability to critically discuss and compare different theoretical models and empirical examples of public administration. For attending students the exam is based only on slides and class discussions.

100% written exam based on slides and readings

All teaching materials, videos, slides and readings will be provided on BBoard and through the Bocconi library course reserve.