00888 - Administration Science

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students: a) understand the main theoretical and analytical tools for interpreting the evolution of Italian public administrations, both as complex organizations and as key actors in public policymaking and contemporary political systems; b) are able to analyze the principal structural and operational features of public bureaucracies across different sectors and levels of government, as well as recent administrative reforms.

Course contents

This course aims to provide students with the conceptual and analytical tools needed to study public administrations in Italy. The approach adopted privileges a political science perspective, while also integrating contributions from other disciplines that have enriched the study of administrative phenomena, particularly organization theory. Through a rigorous yet necessarily selective pathway, the topics covered will enable students to acquire a solid understanding of how contemporary public administrations operate and how they have changed following the major reform process launched in the 1990s.

The course is divided into two modules. The first introduces analytical tools for the study of public administrations, with reference to the main models and well-established interpretative perspectives, including selected examples from the Italian context. The second is entirely devoted to Italian public administration. It examines its main developments and reforms, as well as the functioning of its most important sectors: (a) central administrations, including ministries, the presidency of the Council of ministers, and independent authorities; (b) local administrations, including regions, provinces, metropolitan cities, and municipalities; and (c) the National Health Service. The analysis of these public administrations will be complemented by empirical studies and seminar activities.

 

Readings/Bibliography

1. Bolgherini S. (2014), Can Austerity Lead to Recentralisation? Italian Local Government during the Economic Crisis, in “South European Society & Politics”, Vol. 19. No. 1, pp: 193-214.

2. Lippi A (2011), Evaluating the ‘Quasi Federalist’ Programme of Decentralization in Italy since the 1990s: A Side-effect Approach, in “Local Government Studies”, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp: 495-516.

3. Peters B. Guy and Jon Pierre (2007), Handbook of Public Administration, Los Angeles, Sage: Introduction and Chapters 1, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 38, 47.

Teaching methods

The course follows a lecture-based format supported by presentation slides, which will be made available on the Virtuale platform. These materials are designed to support students’ understanding of the required readings by providing additional explanations and insights.

The main objective is to provide students with a solid foundation in administrative science and an understanding of the practical functioning of public administrations in Italy. To this end, case studies will be presented and discussed during the second module.

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is recommended.

Assessment methods

Evaluation will be based on the student's ability to: a) appropriately apply the theoretical and methodological tools acquired during the course; b) use appropriate academic terminology to analyze the characteristics and reform processes of public administrations; c) establish accurate connections among the different topics covered in the syllabus.

The syllabus is the same for all students; however, assessment methods vary according to attendance.

ATTENDING STUDENTS: Attendance will be recorded by signature and is fulfilled if students attend at least 70% of classes. Assessment consists of two written midterm examinations, each comprising three open-ended questions. Each midterm contributes 50% to the final grade, which is calculated as the average of the two scores. Students wishing to improve their final grade may take an optional oral examination. Students who take (and pass) only one midterm examination must complete the assessment through an oral examination covering the remaining part of the syllabus (make-up tests are not available). Further information will be provided at the beginning of the course.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS: Assessment consists of an oral examination covering the entire syllabus, including all required readings listed in the bibliography.

 

Teaching tools

Presentation slides, multimedia resources, case studies, and thematic seminars.

Office hours

See the website of Brunetta Baldi