Government Admin II: Applied Technologies

Government Admin II: Applied Technologies

Term: Spring 2008
Professor: Aaron D. Schroeder, PhD
Contact: aaron.schroeder@vt.edu 540.239.0393

Class Purpose
The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, this course will expose its students to a number of technologies and applied theories that will be encountered in the environment of government administration. For example, students will learn about the theory of Project Management in addition to learning how to use a leading project management tool, Microsoft Project. Second, this course will immerse the student in a team-based project that will tie most of the technologies together in an applied learning environment.

Real World Projects
Two projects are scheduled to be completed this semester, both in service of a working social research institute at Virginia Tech, the Institute for Policy and Governance. Each project will necessitate the mastery of a differing set of approaches and technologies. Grading for each project will be based on individual level of effort and will be measured 50% by the instructor, 50% by the student's team-mates.

Certified Expertise
In addition to exposing the students to current technolgies and applied theories, this class will also focus on developing technical 'expertise' in at least one area of study. Being able to demonstrate a certified level of epertise in an administrative approach (e.g. project management) or applied technolgy (e.g. database administration) will give the successful student a clear advantage when entering the work world following completion of the MPA.

Each student will take entry-level certification exams demonstrating basic porficiency in their choice of two areas including: project management, database management, web development, geographic information systems, and networking.

A passing score on a certified exam is awarded 100% credit in the course (the full 25% of the final grade). A failing score is awarded 75% credit (18.75% of the final grade). A student succesfully passing one exam still has a chance of an A in the course.

Schedule
The schedule for the class will roughly follow the headings listed to the left in the menu. Part of the first classes in Project Management will in fact be to set up a course schedule with tasks, milestones, and deliverables.

Grading
Certification Testing 1: 25%
Certification Testing 2: 25%
Team Project 1: 25%
Team Project 2: 25%