Public Administration (OSS111F)

This introductory course in public administration provides students with a holistic overview over how public administration is organized and how it has developed over the last decades. The main characteristics of the public administration in Iceland is introduces, its foundations and main formative elements. The course covers the basic theories and concepts of the discipline of public administration and its scholarly endeavour. It introduces the main organizational theories, and the main theories on decentralization and delegation of power and decision-making. The focus is on the relationship between public administration and politics and how that relationship shapes organizational practices and public policy making. The emphasis is on analysing and understanding the differences between the private and the public sector.

Municipal spatial planning, politics and the environment (OSS121F)

The aim of this course is to discuss municipal spatial planning from a broad perspective. Emphasis is on analysing the interaction between politics, public participation and stakeholders in the planning process. The institutional organization of planning is introduced in relation to the role and responsibilities of local councils. Key planning concepts and planning theories are introduced. An overview is given of the planning process as well as different planning instruments and how environmental impact assessment affects municipal spatial planning.

Control Environment (OSS122F)

The main focus will be on the control environment within an organization such as public sector enterprises, agencies, and on municipalities´ level as well. The importance of good governance will be highlighted, which is one of the main foundations for the control environment within an organization.

The control environment within an organization will be defined based on a model called "Three lines Model". This model is a useful tool for explaining different responsibilities of oversight role and monitoring based on their place within the three lines of defence model. The role and responsibilities of the board, management, general staff, and the internal audit will be defined according to the model.

The definition of internal control will be explained based on an international model called COSO. The importance of risk management´s role in building up efficient internal control within an organization and companies will be addressed, and explained how it identifies the key areas for improvements. Methodology for analysing, assessing and monitoring risks faced by an organization will be introduced.

The main purpose of effective internal control is to support an organization to achieve its goals, increase efficiency, and to reduce the risk of potential misconduct.

The role of internal audit and the International Standards for Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) will be introduced. Focus will be on how an internal audit plan is set up, and how audits are executed. It will be explained how audit outcome can influence the improvements in building up an efficient internal control. Risk management and governance practices within the organization will be introduced.

The second half of the course will focus on parliamentary overseeing of the performance of the State, its institutions and State enterprises under a mandate from the Althingi. The focus will be on the definition and methodology of public performance auditing. The history and evolution of Icelandic executive power and its monitoring will be discussed. Also, students will read and learn the international quality standards in this field (ISSAI3000) and INTOSAI handbook. In this context published audit reports from the office of Auditor General of Iceland, will be part of the reading material and will be specifically discussed. The main objective of this part of the course is to make students knowledgeable about methodology in the field and know the fundamentals in the execution of an performance audit.

Two on-site sessions during the teaching period:

On-site session 1: Monday 11th of September from 16:00-19:00
On-site session 2: Monday 9th of October from 16:00-19:00

Local Governance (OSS119F)

Local authorities are one of two main branches of Icelandic government. The aim of the course is to give students insights into Icelandic local governments, administration and processes. In the course students will be introduced to Icelandic local governments, their legal and constitutional status in public administration, their tasks and responsibilities according to law. The main political theories on local governments will be introduced and discussed, with emphasis on the relationship between size, effectiveness and democracy. State and local government relations are briefly discussed, including the division of tasks and revenues.

Strategic Public Relations (OSS120F)

The aim of this course is to provide a sound understanding of the principles of professional public relations.  Introduce specialized communication concepts and skills used in contemporary public relations practice. Highlight the importance of strategic communications and crisis management and the role of social media in public relations.

Microeconomics, Market Failure and the Role of Government (OSS101F)

The course covers the various reasons for government intervention in society. Market failure is quite important in that relation. The basics of price theory and the models of the market will be explained and market failure elucidated on that basis. Parallel problems in public administration (government failure) will be addressed. Emphasis will be laid on enabling students to master the basic ideas of economics and on the training in the application of these.

Public Human Resource Management (OSS102F)

The course will examine human resource management (HRM) in the public sector. Civil service systems will be discussed in a historical context. Employment-related laws, regulations and procedures are reviewed. The students will be exposed to job functions of HRM professionals, including staffing, recruiting, performance appraisal and compensation. The strategic HRM approach is introduced and the procedure of formulating an HRM policy.

Program evaluation (OSS123F)

The course provides academical and practical knowledge of the methods and application of program evaluation. Public managers are directly or indirectly involved in the evaluation of public programs, how effective they are compared to the objectives defined in law and regulations. Knowledge and skills in the methods of program evaluations are therefore valuable for public managers.

The course is divided into three main parts:

• In the first part students will become familiar with the theoretical foundation of program evaluation, including the systems model.
• The second part focus on the methods of program evaluation, including needs assessment, process, formative and summative evaluation. Special attention will be paid to the logical framework approach, it’s pros and cons. The structure and writing styles of reports is introduced.
• The third part include doing a controllable program evaluation on a subject chosen by the student and approved by the professor. The findings will be included in a report.

Administrative Law for Public Executives (OSS204F)

The course deals with describtion of Icelandic authoroties (the executive), the basic structure of the Icelandic administrative system, main tasks of public authotiries, the scope, relevance and rules of the Administrative Act. no 37/1993 and the relevance and rules of the Information Act. no 140/2012. The main emphasis is on the Administrative Act. 

Public Financial Management (OSS210F)

The course covers aspects of budgetary decision-making and fiscal management within the public sector. This includes theory and practice of the budget process at the central and local level and the financial impact of various reform initiatives. The course is divided into two parts. The first half is concentrated on the central government‘s budget process, the legal framework around the budget process and the ministerial and parliamentary process in relation to fiscal decision-making at the central level. The latter half is concentrated on local budgeting and fiscal decision-making processes.

Strategic Planning for Public Organizations (OSS201F)

The course objective is to provide theoretical foundation and practical training in strategic management. An emphasis is on its application in public organizations. Students are to develop a strategic plan for a state or local agency. The John M. Bryson's strategic planning model will be used for this purpose. Students will structure a mission statement, identify strategic issues, establish a performance management system and they will be introduced to tools for organizational change and reassessment.

Municipalities and public service provision (OSS224F)

This course aims to explore the muncipalities role in service provison. The first half of the course looks into theory and ideology behind decentralization as well as exploring different approaches muncipalities use in the organization of their service provision. Emphasis is on exploring the pros and cons of different approaches e.g. if service is provided in-house, in cooperation or outsourced. Moreover, how different type of services may call for different type of approach. In the latter half of the course the focus is on the practical aspect of different tools to provide services. The aim is to look at traditional tools as well as more innovated approaches. The aim is to explore the most recent tools and approaches at every given time.

The Role of Social Psychology, Judgment and Decision Making in Public Policy (OSS225F)

Students learn about selected concepts and research from social psychology, behavioral economics, judgment and decision making that can be used for the design, evaluation and implementation of public policy. Theories on rationality and bounded rationality of human thought will be compared and contrasted. Students will gain understanding of how people make decisions and evaluate risk, the influence of incentives on decisions, and how to influence attitudes and behavior. The course will also cover intergroup relations and negotiations. Finally, will we discuss the relationship between public policy and well-being.

Leadership in Public Organizations (OSS223F)

Leadership and change management are among demands that people working in public organizations face. In this course we explore those demands and the changes in society that have put them high on the agenda. We will ask: What is leadership within the public context? How can it be successfully exercised at different levels? How have those demands been met in public administration and the education of public managers in other countries?

Public Management (OSS202F)

The course reviews the literature on organizational theory and behavior with an emphasis on its application in the public sector. The course includes discussion on leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, organizational structure and change, decision making processes, strategic planning and performance management systems.

The Tools of Government (OSS203F)

The aim of the course is provide insight into public government and the methods goverment employs to reach its goals. The course covers the various tools of government, including direct government, contracting, financial incentives, economic and social regulation, insurance and grants, with emphasis on evaluating the appropriateness of each tool in achieving different objectives. The examination of each tool emphasizes equally theoretical aspects and its use within Icelandic government. While the course OSS101F Microeconomics, Market Failure and the Role of Government is not a prerequisite, it is a recommended precursor. 

Policy Change, Innovation and Networks in Public Administration: Leading Theories (OSS220F)

The students of this course will acquire knowledge and understanding of a) two types of reasoning in public debate referred to as the logic of consequences and the logic of appropriateness, and b) two types of theories in the study of public policy, explanatory and analytic theories, and get an opportunity to apply these theories on real world experiences. First, the students will look at theories developed to explain major public policy change, i.e. agenda-setting theories. Secondly, the students will examine an analytic framework use to define and understand governance networks in public policy and public administration and identify the elements of innovation in public policy and administration following the challenges involved in the implementation of new public management. The students will learn how these theories relate to principal agent theory, democratic accountability and the various tools of government. The focus of the course is on the public policy process and thus the policy actors, and the policy context in which decisions are made and public policies happen, and how mechanisms of democratic accountability operate in policy formulation and implementation.