Public Affairs Courses (Planning and Public Affairs) (PBAF)

PBAF Courses

This is a list of courses with the subject code PBAF. For more information, see Planning and Public Affairs (Graduate College) in the catalog.

PBAF:1001 How to Change the World 3 s.h.

Have you ever wondered what it would take to solve our biggest societal problems (e.g., pollution, hunger, homelessness, access to health care)? Often the answer is through public policy—the programs, rules, and laws meant to guide society; introduction to public policy through case studies and examples of people and institutions that have truly changed the world; activities designed to help students change the world around them. GE: Social Sciences. Same as URP:1001.

PBAF:1030 Climate Leadership and Justice 3 s.h.

Preparation for engaged students to lead on climate change in their communities; understanding climate change causes and impacts, consideration of intergenerational justice and equity in climate adaptation and mitigation; application of best practices in climate policies and planning; supporting community and business resilience and capacity building. Same as URP:1030.

PBAF:2020 Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics 3 s.h.

How society balances its needs against those of the natural environment when addressing modern challenges like climate change, conservation, and energy crises; exploration of sustainability through the lens of U.S. environmental policy and politics; application of fundamental theories of public policy to answer questions—when do environmental problems become policy problems; what economic, social, and political forces shape environmental policy decisions; and what are the consequences of environmental policies for individuals and organizations? GE: Sustainability. GE: Social Sciences. Same as URP:2020.

PBAF:2056 The Splendor of Cities 3 s.h.

Exploration and journey through space and time of global cities—London in the 1600s, Paris in the 1800s, and New Delhi in the 20th century—by use of videos and documentaries; how cities form and grow in response to social, political, cultural, and economic forces. Same as URP:2056.

PBAF:3117 Bureaucratic Politics and Public Administration 3 s.h.

Examination of bureaucracy from political, theoretical, and practical perspectives; what we mean by "bureaucracy" and how it developed over time; political control of bureaucracy; how bureaucracy performs its tasks, including behavior of bureaucrats; role of nonprofit service delivery in modern bureaucracy; how bureaucracy affects American policy and politics. Same as POLI:3117.

PBAF:3217 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution 3 s.h.

Strategies of successful negotiation across a wide range of conflict situations; keys to success in peacefully resolving conflicts; personal, professional, legal, and political negotiations; apologizing; mediation as alternative to litigation; analysis of conflict characteristics to determine optimal negotiation strategies; development of negotiation interpersonal skills; practice negotiating under real world scenarios. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Same as RHET:3009, URP:3217.

PBAF:3560 Public Policy and Persuasion 3 s.h.

Students build their skill set in policy analysis, formation, and communication through a social justice lens; engagement in service learning projects in one Iowa community, where work done directly impacts that community's ability to make changes; development of effective writing and oral presentation styles that can be adapted to different audiences; focus on homelessness policy using social policy and social justice concepts to explore work of policy makers who have "right-sized" existing systems to serve communities in crisis and propose solutions to systemic problems that disadvantage marginalized populations. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Same as POLI:3560, RHET:3560, SJUS:3560.

PBAF:3570 Poverty Policy 3 s.h.

How poverty is regulated and addressed in the United States, and by federal, state, and local governments; particular focus on programs including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Section 8 housing, Medicaid, and Medicare; how these systems have changed over time; current models and innovations that have emerged in practice. Same as GHS:3570, POLI:3570.

PBAF:3580 Native American Public Policy 3 s.h.

Exploration of ways that Native nations govern themselves, including the relationship between these sovereign entities and the U.S. government; topics include Indian Child Welfare Act, membership and enrollment, income and taxation, crime and justice; how these systems have changed over time; current practices and innovations that have emerged within different tribes.

PBAF:4205 Economics for Policy Analysis 1-3 s.h.

Principles of economics, concepts and techniques of microeconomic analysis, market failures, role of government in the economy, tax policy, income inequality, and program evaluation.

PBAF:4233 Public Finance and Budgeting 3 s.h.

Local budgeting process and revenue instruments available for local governments to finance their infrastructure; local budgeting process, mechanics of property tax and other revenue sources, connection between taxation and land use, economic development, growth management, and transportation; issues regarding financing K-12 public schools.

PBAF:4239 Organizational Dynamics and Leadership 3 s.h.

Examination of organizational theories and their applications including organizational structures, cultures, and behavioral characteristics as well as issues on management, ethics, and communication; role of a leader in public and nonprofit organizations involves organizing, controlling, planning, and motivating others for their excellent performance; use of articles, cases, and discussions to appreciate the effects of organization dynamics and leadership on organizational performance; students develop and hone their personal leadership philosophies.

PBAF:4340 Public Policy Analysis 3 s.h.

Rationales and goals of public policy; major steps, key methods, and tools in policy analysis; professional delivery of policy recommendations.

PBAF:5111 American Public Policy 3 s.h.

Introduction to study of public policy in the United States; development of analytical skills necessary to better understand and explain contemporary policy debates and public policy decision-making that takes place at the local, state, and national levels in the United States; topics include a mix of theoretical approaches and substantive policy areas to better understand how policy is made, manipulated, and maintained; examination of demands and supports, institutional, and environmental variables that drive American public policy. Same as POLI:5111.

PBAF:5117 Bureaucratic Politics and Public Administration 3 s.h.

Examination of bureaucracy from political, theoretical, and practical perspectives; what we mean by "bureaucracy" and how it developed over time; political control of bureaucracy; how bureaucracy performs its tasks, including behavior of bureaucrats; role of nonprofit service delivery in modern bureaucracy; how bureaucracy affects American policy and politics. Same as POLI:5117.

PBAF:5120 Public Policy Process 3 s.h.

Theoretical and practical approaches to policy formation, adoption, implementation, and analysis; builds on theories of organizations, institutions, and interest group dynamics; important substantive policy areas (e.g., environmental, energy, housing, fiscal, infrastructure) that strengthen understanding of contemporary policies; application of theoretical and analytical tools to actual policy domains.

PBAF:5200 American State Politics 3 s.h.

Approaches to analysis of political behavior in American state governments; emphasis on cultures, parties, actors, processes, issues. Same as POLI:5200.

PBAF:5800 Environmental Economics and Policy 3 s.h.

Reasons why markets fail in environmental realm (e.g., externalities, common pool resources, club goods, public goods); ecosystem services and techniques used for their valuation; revealed and stated preferences; cost-benefit analysis and role in policy-making process; tools to address environmental market failures, particularly command and control, taxes and subsidies, and mitigation markets; focus on air pollution, climate change, and water-related policies. Same as GEOG:5800, URP:5800.

PBAF:6200 Analytic Methods I 1-3 s.h.

Data science, statistics, quantitative reasoning, study design and analysis for planning and policy; applied quantitative and qualitative research, surveys, public participation; data sharing and data management for reproducibility and accessibility. Same as URP:6200.

PBAF:6201 Analytic Methods II 3 s.h.

Integration of methods with the planning process; application of multiple regression, population estimation and projection, survey methods, time series analysis, industrial growth and change; presentation of results to decision makers and the public. Prerequisites: URP:6200. Same as URP:6201.

PBAF:6205 Economics for Policy Analysis 1,3 s.h.

Principles of economics, concepts and techniques of microeconomic analysis, market failures, role of government in the economy, tax policy, income inequality, and program evaluation. Same as URP:6205.

PBAF:6208 Program Seminar 1 s.h.

Planning, administrative, and policy processes; roles of planners, public policy analysts, and administrators; professional ethics and standards. Same as URP:6208.

PBAF:6210 Public Affairs Capstone 4 s.h.

Students work on a community, state, federal, or nonprofit-based project with focus on research and development of policy proposals and management action steps. Requirements: MPAff graduate standing.

PBAF:6211 Public Affairs Capstone I 1 s.h.

Students work on a community, state, federal, or nonprofit-based project focused on research and development of policy proposals and management action steps.

PBAF:6225 Applied GIS for Planning and Policy Making 1-3 s.h.

Analysis of U.S. Census data using GIS software; data and analytical needs for urban planning and public policy making; coverage of GIS topics including spatial analysis of social science and environmental problems, site selection; graphical display of results, including online maps; development of models in GIS. Same as URP:6225.

PBAF:6233 Public Finance and Budgeting 3 s.h.

Local budgeting process and revenue instruments available for local governments to finance their infrastructure; local budgeting process, mechanics of property tax and other revenue sources, connection between taxation and land use, economic development, growth management, and transportation; issues regarding financing K-12 public schools. Same as URP:6233.

PBAF:6238 Public Human Resource Management 1 s.h.

Fundamental human resource management principles; application to a variety of human resource issues in public and nonprofit organizations including recruitment, employee development and evaluation, compensation and benefits, diversity, performance management systems, health/safety systems, and employee relations.

PBAF:6239 Organizational Dynamics and Leadership 3 s.h.

Examination of organizational theories and their applications including organizational structures, cultures, and behavioral characteristics as well as issues on management, ethics, and communication; role of a leader in public and nonprofit organizations involves organizing, controlling, planning, and motivating others for their excellent performance; use of articles, cases, and discussions to appreciate the effects of organization dynamics and leadership on organizational performance; students develop and hone their personal leadership philosophies.

PBAF:6240 Public Management 3 s.h.

Public management in a democratic society; balancing of administrative and democratic values and interests; examination of institutional, political, organizational, and ethical context of public management and policy making; students acquire important management, leadership, and decision-making skills, as well as reflect on their values and behaviors with regard to administration and public service, particularly in a diverse and changing society; service in public sector contrasted with service in private and nonprofit sectors. Same as URP:6240.

PBAF:6241 Strategic Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations 3 s.h.

Application of well-known concepts of strategic planning and management to public and nonprofit organizations; topics include environmental assessment, mission identification, strategic issue identification, strategy formulation, strategic budgeting, strategic management and human relations, information technology and strategic management, performance measurement, strategic communication, strategic management and collaboration, strategic management and politics.

PBAF:6245 Growth Management 3 s.h.

Causes and consequences of urban sprawl, shortfalls in conventional land use planning; local and state growth management policies, techniques of policy implementation, positive and negative impacts of such policies; Smart Growth; emerging challenges. Same as URP:6245.

PBAF:6253 Designing Sustainable and Healthy Cities 1-3 s.h.

Principles and practical elements of urban design for sustainable and healthy cities; general urban design background for policy makers and planners; impacts of urban design for environmental sustainability and for community health and well-being; physical, mental, social, and environmental health as they are affected by urban form, air and water quality, green spaces and climate change impacts. Same as URP:6253.

PBAF:6256 Environmental Policy 3 s.h.

Environmental policy formation and politics; comparative international perspective on the United States' experience. Same as URP:6256.

PBAF:6257 Environmental Management 3 s.h.

Environmental best management practices for sustainable management of natural resources; open space and habitat protection, prairie and wetland restoration, water supplies management, natural hazard mitigation, farmland protection. Same as URP:6257.

PBAF:6258 Systems and Scenario Thinking 3 s.h.

Quantitative and qualitative methods for complex dynamic systems; participatory modeling; systems thinking, integrated assessment, and scenario planning; decision-making, policy development, and evaluation; nonlinear dynamics of cities, materials, energy, and human-environment relationships; numerical modeling; historical and contemporary roles of human activities in the Earth system. Same as URP:6258.

PBAF:6260 Transportation Policy and Planning 3 s.h.

Institutional setting for transportation planning, evolution of domestic transportation policy, international influences, transportation modes and markets, current sources of transportation planning information, emerging policy issues. Same as URP:6260.

PBAF:6265 Planning Sustainable Transportation 3 s.h.

Theories and methods of exerting public control over passenger and freight transportation; social and environmental regulation; effects of changing finance, regulation, and pricing policies, including privatization, tolls, impact fees. Same as GEOG:6264, URP:6265.

PBAF:6266 Transportation, Urban Form, and Sustainability 3 s.h.

Policies and interactions between transportation and land use; location theories and practices; transportation infrastructure, land use, travel behavior modeling; current policies that influence travel behavior and urban form. Same as URP:6266.

PBAF:6271 Housing Policy 3 s.h.

Recent housing policy initiatives at federal, state, and local levels. Same as URP:6271.

PBAF:6273 Community Development Through Creative Placemaking 3 s.h.

Examination of practices, ideas, and techniques for community development in small to large communities; particular focus on creative placemaking, in which planners and the public strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities; students and faculty apply this approach to a specific community project; for students in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and planning and public affairs. Same as URP:6273.

PBAF:6278 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I 3 s.h.

Operational and financing aspects of nonprofit management; mission and governance of organization; strategic planning for effective management, including finance, budget, income generation, fund-raising. Same as HMP:6360, MGMT:9150, RELS:6070, SPST:6010, SSW:6247, URP:6278.

PBAF:6279 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness II 3 s.h.

Qualities for leadership of nonprofit organizations, including relationships with staff and volunteers; relationship of nonprofit and outside world; marketing, public relations, advocacy strategies for nonprofits. Requirements: for HMP:6365HMP:6360 or MGMT:9150. Same as HMP:6365, MGMT:9160, RELS:6075, SPST:6020, SSW:6248, URP:6279.

PBAF:6280 Planning for Disaster Mitigation and Recovery 2-3 s.h.

Types of disasters that communities face; what role planners play, what role should they play; importance of hazard mitigation and planning for post-disaster recovery; where planners' unique skills play the most significant roles in aiding a community to redesign a safer future. Same as URP:6280.

PBAF:6282 Grant Writing 1-2 s.h.

Same as SSW:6282, URP:6282.

PBAF:6295 Economic Development Policy 3 s.h.

Business and industrial locations, theories of regional growth and development, tools for regional economic analysis, economic impacts of COVID-19, development strategies in increasingly knowledge-driven and globalizing regional economies, economic development finance and policy, and economic development planning process. Same as URP:6295.

PBAF:6297 Financing Economic Development for Poverty Alleviation 3 s.h.

How public policies in general, and planning practices in particular, have an impact on an individual's likelihood of becoming poor, remaining poor, and getting out of poverty; how land use, housing, transportation, and economic development policies affect distribution and accessibility of jobs, education, housing, and public services. Same as URP:6297.

PBAF:6335 Internship 1-3 s.h.

Internship; 240 hours of public affairs work with a public or nonprofit organization.

PBAF:6340 Public Policy Analysis 3 s.h.

Rationales and goals of public policy; major steps, key methods, and tools in policy analysis; professional delivery of policy recommendations. Same as URP:6340.

PBAF:6400 Sustainable Development: The Kerala Experience 3 s.h.

Exploration of student interests in social entrepreneurship, global health, microfinance, cultural production, environmental sustainability, or other development issues in India; varied disciplinary perspectives (i.e., public health, business, social work, geography, art); student work with Indian NGOs employing a diverse variety of techniques to address social problems such as child labor, health care for the poor, illiteracy, and disability services. Winter session. Same as URP:6400.