Teaching democracy: A review of public administration introductory courses

ABSTRACT

The concept of democracy is a critical area of study and practice within the field of public administration. From democratic governance to democratic values, and by extension social equity, justice, cultural competence, and fairness, democracy, as a term, continues to be conceptualized in varying ways. An underlying assumption of public service work, however, is that administrators – who have been trained through public administration programs – are taught the values and strategies to practice democracy within a U.S. context. This research examines the extent to which academic public administration programs teach and promote democracy. Through an evaluation of public administration programs the authors evaluate the exclusion or inclusion of democracy related principles in introductory courses. Using the content analysis method, syllabi of introductory public administration courses underscore the marginalized inclusion of democratic perspectives and values.

KEYWORDS:

• Cultural competency
• democracy
• education
• fairness
• justice
• social equity

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tia Sherèe Gaynor

Tia Sherèe Gaynor is an assistant professor in the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration at Marist College. Her research focuses on issues related to social (in)justice, cultural competency, and equity within a U.S. and global context, particularly as it relates to people of color and those who identify as LGBTQIA. Her most recent work explores the marginalizing interactions between local law enforcement agencies and those at the intersection of race, gender, and sexual identity.

Tony J. Carrizales

Tony J. Carrizales is an associate professor of public administration at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. His research interests include diversity in the public sector and e-government. His research has been published in Public Performance and Management Review, Public Administration Quarterly, and State and Local Government Review. Carrizales received his MPA from Cornell University and PhD in public administration from Rutgers University – Newark.