PADM 6620

Public Administration and Ethics

Fall 2008

Final Set of Essay Exam

You may use any material presented in this class as well as outside sources to answer the following questions.  It is expected that you will conduct additional research or study outside the class to help answer the questions. 

 

Write a short essay (200 to 500 words) addressing each question below.  A complete answer will include a clear definition of theory as well as citation to proper academic source.  The complete answer will also include a clearly defined discussion and analysis section.  In the discussion and analysis section you should prove your knowledge of the subject as well as ability to apply it within the problem presented. 

 

Please note, your answers require support through citation or reference. Use APA style or an appropriate footnote/endnote style to provide reference works.

 

Question 1:

 

Define Corruption and discuss the potential ethical problems that might arise in a politically corrupt municipal system. Be sure to address more than one type of corruption.

 

Question 2: 

 

Read Chapter 14 in the Svara text. Research the Peter Principle and then discuss the implications of the case study from Svara.

 

Question 3:

 

Read Chapter 9 in Svara. Define a strategy that can be used in your own work environment that would elevate ethical behavior in the organization.

 

Question 4:

 

Select a professional Code of Ethics (see Appendix in Thompson/Leidlein for suggestions) and study the contents. Using the knowledge of ethics theory analyze the content of the code for effectiveness and applicability.

 

Question 5:

 

Research Parkinson's Law (work expands to fill the time allotted). Approach the topic from an ethics perspective and explain why the law is or is not an ethical problem. As part of this analysis be sure to examine the concept of work and time as an extension of choice.

 

Question 6:

 

Assume that you are assigned the task of teaching a Ethics Primer class to a group of public administrators.  These administrators need this class to meet continuing education credit requirements.  This means that the topic needs to have academic integrity high enough to meet the professional need. They are also paying for this class, so they expect quality.  You will have no more than 6 hours of class time.  What topics would you teach and why would they be appropriate?