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Online and Face to Face Versions of the MPA Capstone Seminar

Online and Face to Face Versions of the MPA Capstone Seminar. Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D. and Erik Bergrud Park University NASPAA National Conference October 16, 2008. Master of Public Affairs Degree at Park University.

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Online and Face to Face Versions of the MPA Capstone Seminar

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  1. Online and Face to Face Versions of the MPA Capstone Seminar Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, Ph.D. and Erik Bergrud Park University NASPAA National Conference October 16, 2008

  2. Master of Public Affairs Degree at Park University • Cross-sector liberal-arts based degree grounded in public administration and service • Designed to prepare graduates for an increasingly Unscripted Future • Advances public service values across sectors and disciplines • Six areas of concentration in MPA

  3. PA 602 at Park University • PA 602 is the capstone seminar of the MPA program. Conducted as a graduate seminar, this course addresses correlation of the academic and practical experiences of the degree candidates to their responsibilities as professionals in a democratic society. • Each student prepares a series of papers and/or presentations that emphasize various expectations to be faced in professional work, such as case analysis, critique, evaluation, implementation research and proficiency in U.S. Constitutional issues.

  4. Historical Timeline • 1982 – Park University establishes MPA program • 1996 – Park University offers first undergraduate online class • 2001 – Park University expands online offerings to graduate level • 2006 – US News & World Report ranks Park University as #2 provider of online education in United States

  5. Taking PA 602 Online • Park University launched its online MPA during a time of transition • HSPA founder Jerzy Hauptmann had retired (he taught PA 602 for 18 years and opposed online format) • Interim Dean who succeeded Hauptmann as PA 602 instructor was reassigned within University • Erik Bergrud, who team-taught PA 602 with Hauptmann in 1996, was asked to develop course for online format using Hauptmann’s template • Only 2-3 students were eligible to take course the first two times offered

  6. Transition • Laurie DiPadova-Stocks became HSPA Dean in 2004 • Succeeded Bergrud as online course developer for PA 602 • Taught PA 602 in face-to-face and classroom formats

  7. Organization of Course • Readings and essays—first 9 weeks • Work in teams conducting case analyses—3 weeks • Constitutional Debate Presentations—last 4 weeks • Conduct analysis of class participation [all data are in writing in the OL class]

  8. Features of Course • Writing intensive course • Over 450 pages of class discussion (tiny font) • Dozens of critical inquiry questions regarding topics of the course including public service values, role of government, responsibility, and technical issues • Six required written papers • Experience working in teams [OL are virtual]

  9. Features of Course • Team presentations • Debate presentation requirement to present convincing arguments on opposing sides of an issue • In depth interaction with classmates from a variety of backgrounds and careers across the U.S. and around the world

  10. A Snapshot of PA 602 Online

  11. Week 1 Online

  12. Some Debate Topics

  13. Some Debate Topics • Cities and jurisdictions that ban smoking in public places unreasonably infringe on the rights of individual smokers • Fencing along the U.S.-Mexican Border will not be sufficient to stop illegal immigration • U.S. Constitution, Article IV, section 4: Protection of Rights for Citizens only • Prison inmates are entitled to be protected from other inmates and be safe while in U.S. custody • The death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment

  14. Some Debate Topics (con’t) • Public schools should allocate time in the daily schedule to allow student-led prayer • “Under God” should be kept in the Pledge of Allegiance • Domestic wiretapping violates the Fourth Amendment • Universal health insurance is a right of U.S. citizens • The Fifth Amendment right to due process does not protect people who are not U.S. citizens

  15. PA 602 online vs. face to face • Same syllabi and course requirements for PA 602 OL and f2f • OL more work intensive for faculty than f2f • Students report OL is more challenging and time-consuming • Students engaged in the OL course all week, not only one night a week

  16. PA 602 online vs. face to face • Students can take as much “airtime” as they wish. • Like f2f course, instructor must guard against one or two people “dominating” discussions. • Some students report heightened participation in OL course because they do not feel rushed when making their point. • Class discussions are not time-bound in OL course. • Students in OL course can keep up with their class while traveling or deployed.

  17. PA 602 at Park University • External reviewers highly rate PA 602. • “A fully realized graduate seminar” • “This course design is a model for what is possible in online education, even at the highest academic levels.”

  18. Faculty Reflections • PA 602 is a rigorous course that is engaging for students and faculty alike. • While f2f is still the preferred mode for many, I suspect that some students retain more and process more in the OL format. • Important question of other technologies: podcasting, etc.

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